Biotin supplements are famed for their beneficial effects surrounding our hair, skin, and nails – three huge factors in our physical appearance. 

If you’re familiar with biotin, you have probably heard mixed reviews. Some praise its benefits to the high heavens, while others claim it doesn’t work. 

So, what’s the deal here? Does biotin really do anything, and could it help you? In this article, we will debunk the questions surrounding this mystery vitamin… 

What is Biotin?

First and foremost, biotin is another name for vitamin B7, or vitamin H as it is also commonly known. B7 helps the body to convert the food we eat into energy, just like all B-vitamins do. 

In addition to this, biotin helps to keep the skin, hair, nails, eyes, liver, and nervous system healthy. Biotin is especially important during pregnancy as it is critical for embryonic growth and development.

A sufficient daily intake of biotin from food is around 2500mcg. This is generally enough to maintain a healthy metabolism and avoid vitamin H deficiency. 

Nevertheless, some people choose to take biotin supplements in order to increase their daily intake. This is often done to treat specific conditions or to promote hair/nail growth and skin health. 

Does Biotin Really Work?

Often, people with biotin deficiencies show signs of hair loss, brittle nails, or skin rash – in cases like this, biotin supplements may be recommended by your doctor.

However, biotin deficiencies are quite rare. So, will taking extra biotin through supplements really do anything if you are not deficient in the vitamin? 

It’s often recommended that you take biotin supplements of around 2000-5000 mcg per day in order to strengthen your hair shafts, strengthen your nails, and achieve real results. 

This is because biotin improves the protein infrastructure of keratin – the main protein that makes up our hair and nails. Studies support the idea that biotin supplements can help our hair and nails to grow healthier, but not necessarily grow faster or longer. 

That being said, healthier growth usually means faster and longer growth. When our hair is healthy, it is less likely to split and break. When our nails are healthy, they are stronger, less brittle, and less prone to breakage. This means that your hair and nails can appear to grow much faster and longer since less is being damaged, broken, and lost along the way. 

Biotin supplements will work much better if you take good care of your keratin. Heat, bleach and certain dyes can damage the keratin in your hair, whilst rough treatment of nails (such as acrylic extensions or overuse of polish removers) can damage the keratin in your nails. You should try to minimise this – keep your hair and nails moisturised generously and avoid using damaging products. If you do this alongside using biotin supplements, you’ll achieve maximum results. 

For some people, biotin supplements will work very quickly and you’ll be able to see a visible difference. For others, it may take much longer to notice improvements. The best thing to do is try it for yourself!

Typically, it takes around 4-6 weeks to start seeing an improvement in your hair, skin, and nails. 

Shop Biotin Supplements 

Here are a couple of our favourite biotin supplements at Wellness Factory:

Balance Biotin 

These liquid drops contain a generous 5000mcg of biotin per serving. Each bottle contains 120 servings for a 4 month supply. The liquid has a delicious natural coconut and lime flavour and is 100% vegan-friendly.

Simply place 0.5ml of liquid under the tongue once per day.

Core Nutrition Biotin

This liquid spray also contains a generous 5000mcg of biotin per serving, with 120 servings per bottle for a 4 month supply. Made with delicious natural flavourings and 100% vegan-friendly ingredients. 

Spray 4 times under the tongue once per day to achieve your hair, skin, and nail goals!

Click here to shop all supplements for hair, skin, and nails at the Wellness Factory.