You see biotin ads everywhere, but it's always a woman on the picture!
You hear the effects of biotin and want them, but what if taking biotin is a bad thing for men?
We'll go through the most frequently asked questions about biotin.
Plus, as a bonus, 4 ways that have been studied to combat male pattern hair loss and support hair growth.
Summary
With its increasing popularity, Biotin supplements are getting advertised as a solution for hair fall. Even though biotin deficiency can cause hair loss, but the general population seems to have enough or adequate biotin in their system to keep them going on.
Even though there is limited research on biotin, men are still opting to take biotin to fix their hair loss issues. It is best to turn towards nutrient-rich food to enhance the health of hair instead of taking supplements.
Is taking biotin the answer to your hair loss? Maybe not. Studies suggest that it may be more beneficial for people with biotin deficiency than for those with Male pattern baldness.
Can men take biotin?
Yes, men can take biotin to assist hair, nail and skin health.
However, male androgenetic alopecia (MAA) is a process of losing hair from the scalp. The general cause of this issue is genetics. Around 30% to 50% of men older than 50 have MAA. A lot of them end up looking for different ways to prevent their hair loss.
A study concluded that men with MAA condition do have a lower level of biotin in their system than the men who have faced no hair loss. However, this difference had no significant impact as Biotin and MAA hair loss had no direct connection.
A study in 2015 found that biotin supplementation resulted in improved hair volume and thickness in men with thinning hair.
Can taking biotin treat male hair loss?
Misguided people believe that biotin can help them stop hair loss which is not entirely true.
Someone with Male Pattern Baldness will probably not get positive results as it is not a hair loss remedy.
In short, biotin has not proven to be beneficial for male pattern baldness, even though it is considered an appropriate supplement to reverse biotin deficiencies.
Male pattern baldness is a hormonal and genetic problem, while biotin is just a vitamin that has nothing to do with hormonal enzymes.
4 studied methods to fight male pattern hair loss
As mentioned above, biotin is not a proven solution for your hair loss.
These are the 3 methods that have been studied for combating men's hair loss:
Scandinavian Biolabs Hair Growth Routine
We could put some marketing gibberish or the results of our clinical trial here, but we believe in real people, real results and real impact on your life.
Gary, one of our many success story, said this:
"Dear Christopher (our head of product development),
...I have so far been using your products since early July and I have attached pictures of my hair...when I sent pictures to a hair transplant clinic in anticipation of them proving a hair transplant procedure."
I then came across your product and have been using it daily...I am 57 years old by the way and had the start of pattern baldness...
Just thought the results might interest you. I have for the moment cancelled any plans to undergo a hair transplant."
Considering the average cost of hair transplant is around $4000 to $15000, this is a enormous saving for Gary.
But what if it didn't work for Gary?
He could have applied for our industry-leading 150 days money-back guarantee. After only a few days of processing, he'll get everything he paid back.
Minoxidil
Minoxidil is an FDA-approved medication for hair loss.
Minoxidil helps with the circulation of blood and nutrients to reach your scalp.
Despite approval, not everyone flocks to minoxidil for fear of its mental, sexual and physical side effects.
Finasteride & dutasteride
Both work in similar ways. They are DHT blockers that restrict 5-alpha-reductase to convert the testosterone into DHT. That way, the hair follicle will not get starved and will regrow and be healthy again.
Similar to minoxidil, these drugs come with both mild and serious side effects.
What is biotin?
Biotin is a vitamin B7 or H, which stands for "Haar und Haut" in German. Haar und Haut means hair and skin. Biotin is a vital vitamin as it helps your body convert food into energy.
Besides converting food into energy, it can also help with maintaining skin and hair health.
It is not surprising to find Biotin in many foods around the house.
What foods are rich in biotin?
- cauliflower
- carrots
- salmon
- lentils
- almonds
- sweet potatoes
Biotin is also available as an over-the-counter supplement. It also helps you keep your eyes, liver, and nervous system in good condition.
How does biotin work?
Many people take Biotin to prevent hair loss. But how does it work? Biotin stimulates keratin production in hair and can increase the rate of follicle growth.
Biotin gets naturally produced through intestinal bacteria, which ensures to achieve healthy levels.
A 2017 study concluded that there is very little evidence relating to Biotin preventing hair loss and still is very popular for skin, hair, and nail growth. According to the National Institutes of Health, consuming Biotin through a natural source rich in healthy vitamins and minerals is the best way to restore your hair follicles. Almonds, fish, meat, and vegetables are rich in biotin vitamins.
What happens when you have biotin deficiency?
It is rare for someone to develop Biotin deficiency as Biotin is available in the food and through the production from intestinal bacteria in the body.
Groups who are at higher risk of Biotin deficiency are as follows:
- Children
- Pregnant woman
- Biotinidase deficiency
- Alcoholic
And, the symptoms of a Biotin deficiency are:
- losing hair
- having a rash around the mouth
- redness around the eyes and nose
- brittle nails
- brittle hair
- dry skin
There is also something called secondary biotin deficiency. It can occur if someone consumes raw egg whites every day. It happens because of the presence of avidin in the egg whites that prevents the biotin from getting absorbed. It is best to eat cooked egg whites than raw to avoid secondary biotin deficiency.
Is it recommended to take biotin supplements?
If we talk about the side effects of biotin, then there is not much. There is very little toxicity to biotin because it is being produced in our body more than what is required. Even though this supplement is safe to consume, always consult your doctor before taking biotin.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not administer Biotin supplements, and as there are rare cases of biotin deficiencies, they have not officially announced biotin dosage. However, FDA has provided Adequate Intake for biotin, which is 30mcg per day for people above 19 years old.
A double-blind, placebo trial in the US found that women taking biotin for 90 days, along with a marine protein supplement such as amino acid, vitamin C, and Zinc, had experienced their hair to grow healthy. But it is still unknown if biotin played a vital role in this trial. Not to mention, the study does not include men and if it has the same effect on them.
Therefore, more research is needed to determine if men can take biotin and have the same effects. Moreover, there is no evidence that healthy people can benefit from this supplement.
It is often considered for people with biotin deficiency and children with hair shaft disorders.
Is biotin a DHT blocker?
Biotin does not work as a Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) blocker, a byproduct of testosterone that helps develop male characteristics such as voice, body hair, muscles, etc. This DHT can also be the cause of your male pattern baldness.
Does biotin help hair growth?
The connection between biotin and increasing hair growth is quite debatable.
Biotin indeed has a vital role in keeping the hair strong and healthy. Consequently, biotin deficiencies can lead to hair fall and unhealthy hair.
Researchers have found that if you are suffering from biotin deficiency, the supplement will help you regrow your hair, but for the general public, the effect remains null.
Is biotin good for men?
Most people believe that biotin is a ‘women-only’ supplement. However, that’s not true. Biotin can be used by anyone, regardless of their gender. But whether it helps boost hair growth is an entirely different story. Not enough studies have been conducted that corroborate this statement, which is why you should look for other alternatives.
That said, if you’d still like to learn the biotin benefits for men, there are a few. For starters, it has been reported to make your skin healthier. Secondly, some claim that it can regulate blood sugar. And finally, it may improve your nervous system’s health. Again, there’s little research supporting these benefits, so take them with a pinch of salt.
But this is not the end of the world! Luckily, there are various approaches to managing hair loss. Check out Scandinavian Biolabs and our money-back guarantee.
Read more:
References
- https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Biotin-HealthProfessional/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25883641/
- http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jocd.12865
- https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/qa/what-is-biotin
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK547751/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30714301/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3648722
