Biotin and Hair Loss

Why Does the World Love Biotin So Much?

Biotin is a well-known and popular supplement for treating hair loss. Let's face it - the world loves biotin. However, true deficiencies in biotin are rare given the ability of bacteria in the gastrointestinal system to produce biotin. Nevertheless, many individuals and physicians turn to biotin in the search for treatment options. 

Soleymani and colleagues from New York University School of Medicine set out to critically examine the evidence for biotin use for treating hair loss. Their findings point out that there are no randomized trials to support the use of biotin in treating hair loss and that the public’s interest in biotin over the past decades is not supported by medical evidence. 

There is really no evidence to support routine biotin supplementation for individual’s with hair loss. Exceptions do exist, of course, and true biotin deficiency may be considered in individuals who are elderly, pregnant, using anticonvulsants or chronically using alcohol. 

Reference

Soleymani T et al. J Drugs Dermatol. 2017 May 1;16(5):496-500