Fun fact: We usually lose up to 50 hairs per day. Although this is usually nothing to worry about, you may have noticed that sometimes their number increases when the seasons change. This so-called “seasonal hair loss” is caused mainly by the decrease in sunlight in the fall and can last for several weeks.
Fortunately, adopting good hair habits can keep your hair looking as healthy and thick as possible – even if your hair is falling out depending on the season. For example: dry your hair with a microfiber towel, use a bristle brush and use mild, natural hair care products.
Biotin is beneficial for hair
It’s also a good idea to take care of your hair from the inside out. Diet can help—especially because certain nutrients are essential for healthy hair. One vitamin we often hear about is biotin, also known as vitamin B7 or vitamin H. It’s found in bananas, sweet potatoes, egg yolks, avocados, and more.
Biotin — whose name comes from the Greek prefix bio, meaning “life” — helps the body produce energy from food. Like other B vitamins, it’s essential for healthy skin, nails, and hair. Some research suggests that biotin may help stimulate hair growth and prevent hair loss.
How to Use Biotin to Treat Hair Loss
Despite the limited scientific evidence, many people swear by taking biotin supplements – most experts say that because biotin is water-soluble, it’s relatively safe to take as a supplement. However, it’s worth noting that most experts agree that more research is still needed on the actual effectiveness of biotin for hair loss and hair growth.
With that in mind, here are a few things you should consider if you’re planning to take a biotin supplement or any over-the-counter supplement. Be sure to look for supplements that have been tested by third-party laboratories to ensure high quality. And, do your due diligence by immediately researching other potential risks. For example, a few years ago, the FDA issued a warning that taking biotin supplements may interfere with certain laboratory tests. The agency reports that the recommended daily dose of biotin ranges from 5 to 35 micrograms, but “many dietary supplements for hair, skin, and nails contain up to 650 times the recommended daily biotin dose.” “Biotin in the blood or other samples collected from patients consuming high levels of biotin in dietary supplements may lead to clinically significant false laboratory test results, such as false high or false low results, depending on the test results.
best biotin for hair
With all of this in mind, the best approach is probably to increase your biotin intake the traditional way: through the foods you eat. “Many foods contain some biotin,” the NIH information page states, “Foods that contain the most biotin include organ meats, eggs, fish, meat, seeds, nuts, and some vegetables, such as sweet potatoes.”
If you eat a balanced, healthy diet that includes healthy fats, lean proteins, whole grains and a variety of fruits and vegetables, you’re probably already getting enough biotin. However, if you want to get an extra dose of it in your hair-healthy diet, consider focusing on these specific (and delicious) sources of biotin: avocados, sweet potatoes, eggs, salmon, tuna, sardines, broccoli, spinach, almonds, mushrooms, beans, walnuts and sunflower seeds.
Can biotin shampoo help hair growth?
You may have noticed that biotin is also found in a variety of hair care products, including shampoos, conditioners, and serums. However, there is little evidence that applying biotin to hair improves hair quality. One scientific analysis states, “Adequate intake of biotin in the diet may lead to healthier hair, but there is little data to support the effect of biotin in healthy individuals.” The report concludes: “Over-the-counter hair loss treatments found on the bestseller lists of several online retailer sites are natural products with little evidence of effectiveness.”
Biotin-Enriched Hair Care
That being said, many biotin-rich treatments also contain other high-quality, hair-healthy ingredients that can boost hair fullness, volume, and shine — something you arguably need during peak hair loss season. If you want to try a biotin-rich shampoo, conditioner, or other hair care product, here are some great options to try:
Coco & Eve Boost Therapy Shampoo-Conditioner Two-Piece Set
The formulas in Coco & Eve’s Boost Therapy line combine biotin, hydrating panthenol, coconut oil, and the brand’s proprietary complex, BioVolume 128™, to boost hair volume, strength, and thickness, which is clinically proven to improve hair growth in as little as three months. Restores hair volume.
JVN Embody Daily Volumizing Conditioner
This conditioner targets damaged hair and provides elasticity and vitality to flat hair. The secret to success? Bamboo extract, biotin and squalane.
Ui’s beautiful hair pair
Designed to protect delicate hair prone to loss, this shampoo and conditioner blend works directly on the scalp and contains hydrolyzed keratin, biotin, hydrating hemp seed extract, and chia seed oil.
Create a beautiful scalp care
A blend of algae, caffeine, biotin and berry extracts revitalizes hair from root to tip.
Olaplex Bond Care N4 Shampoo
Like other treatments in the Olaplex range, this best-selling shampoo works wonders on brittle hair, split ends and breakage.
Virtue All-Purpose Shampoo
The combination of Biotin, Hydrolyzed Quinoa and Alpha Keratin 60ku™ proteins provides shine to the hair while also making it soft, strong and repairable.
Augustinus Bader No-Rinse Hair Care
This hair care product is the result of over 30 years of scientific research and is designed to protect hair from the effects of heat styling, UVA and UVB rays, and chemical treatments.
Oribe Serenity Conditioner
The ingredients in this conditioner include a variety of active ingredients with ultra-moisturizing properties (elderweiss, shea butter) and strengthening properties (biotin, panthenol, quinoa).
Rahua Magic Island Shampoo
The shampoo has a unique scent of guava and coconut and contains carefully selected active ingredients such as biotin, vitamins B6, A, C and E, as well as the brand’s key ingredient, Rahua oil.
Briogeo Scalp Rejuvenating Charcoal + Biotin Shampoo
The combination of biotin, charcoal, bamboo and witch hazel extracts absorbs excess sebum while promoting hair growth.
