The Benefits of Biotin for Scalp and Hair

Often seen as an ingredient in vitamin supplements, biotin (also known as vitamin B7) might be a recognisable word but what is it exactly? And what does it do? A nutrient that the body needs to function properly, biotin is part of the B-complex group of vitamins and is central to the body’s metabolic system – essentially, it helps convert food into energy. But biotin has benefits beyond metabolising carbohydrates, fats and amino acids; it also aids in the body’s protein production. And since around 80% of your hair is composed of the protein called keratin, it’s one of the essential elements in getting the hair you want.

How does biotin help your hair?

Not only is biotin crucial for your general wellbeing, it’s also essential in producing keratin – the fibrous protein that gives our hair, skin and nails structure and strength. A biotin deficiency can lead to weak, brittle hair that’s prone to damage and unable to grow to longer lengths.

Is biotin good for your scalp?

Keratin is produced in keratinocytes – cells that are located in the epidermis, the outermost layer of your skin. That means a healthy level of keratin production (thanks to adequate biotin levels in the body), the more chance your scalp has in producing robust hair follicles for your hair to grow from.

What happens if you have a biotin deficiency?

A biotin deficiency can present as hair loss or thinning of hair, brittle nails, dry or scaly skin, and cracked lips. It can also create various other symptoms like nausea, insomnia, fatigue, depression, and more. We recommend seeing a medical professional to determine your biotin levels, as many of these symptoms can be linked to different issues. Nonetheless, a significant biotin deficiency can lead to serious conditions.

What can cause biotin deficiency?

There are various reasons the body might not be absorbing or producing adequate biotin, including:

• Some medications
• Certain medical conditions (such as Chron’s Disease or alcoholism)
• Unbalanced diet
• Pregnancy
• Smoking
• Genetics

Can you take too much biotin?

Too much biotin can lead to various issues, including excessive urination, troubled sleep, and – in some cases – skin rashes. Excessive amounts of biotin can also interfere with various health tests, leading to incorrect results and potentially masking serious conditions. It’s important to keep this in mind if you’re testing:

• Troponin levels
• Thyroid hormone levels
• Parathyroid hormone levels
• Follicle-stimulating hormone levels
• Luteinizing hormone levels
• Cortisol levels
• Vitamin D levels

How does Hårklinikken use biotin in the Hair Supplement?

Our Hair Supplement has been meticulously formulated over a decade using clinically proven ingredients in efficacious and responsible amounts and every ingredient is working in synergy with other ingredients to create a unique effect. In our formula, we incorporate D-Biotin – a more active form of the vitamin that’s easily absorbed by the body. Unlike some brands that incorporate 10000% or more of the recommended daily intake of biotin, we include 133% in our formula.

How is the Hårklinikken Hair Supplement different from others?

The constituents in our Hair Supplement* go beyond biotin and address many internal contributors to hair loss from nutrient deficiencies to gut health and stress, while also providing support for five factors essential to hair growth, health, strength and density.

* Hårklinikken has decided to launch the new Hair Supplement in the US first, with hopes to extend its availability to other markets in the future.

FAQs

Can biotin be applied directly to the scalp?

It is possible to use biotin as a topical treatment on the scalp, however many of these products don't disclose the amount of biotin in the formula. Depending on the product, it may cause increased buildup on the scalp, which can lead to issues that, over time, result in hair loss.

Can too much biotin cause itchy scalp?

Excessive amounts of biotin can lead to many issues, one being irritated skin – and that includes the delicate skin on your scalp. An itchy, red scalp can be a symptom of various conditions, so it’s worth seeing an expert to determine the cause and solution.

Does biotin make hair thicker?

Because biotin is essential for the breakdown of amino acids (which are building blocks for proteins) it can help support the scalp’s health as well as hair’s strength and texture.