Can Men Take Biotin? Science On Biotin & Men's Hair Growth

Medically reviewedby Dr. Ahmad Chaudhry M.B.B.S.
WrittenbyLuat Duong
Last updated

Have you ever wondered if biotin is beneficial for men?

Yes, men can take biotin, and it benefits their hair, nail, and skin health, breaking the misconception that only women benefit from it.

Read on to discover the science behind biotin and how it can support men's overall well-being.

Can men take biotin?

Yes, men can take biotin. It's a common misconception that biotin benefits are exclusive to women; in fact, it plays a vital role in men's health, particularly for hair, nail, and skin health.

Biotin's role extends beyond just cosmetic benefits. While male androgenetic alopecia (MAA), a prevalent form of hair loss in men over 50, is primarily genetic, studies have shown that men with MAA often have lower biotin levels compared to those without hair loss.

This suggests a potential, albeit indirect, link between biotin and hair health in men. Moreover, a 2015 study highlighted that biotin supplementation could lead to improved hair volume and thickness in men with thinning hair.

Thus, biotin's contribution to men's health is multifaceted, supporting not only hair health but also overall wellbeing.

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What is biotin?

biotin functions

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?

hair loss in men

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?

hair loss due to lack of biotin

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.

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

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before and after hair loss

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...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."

Read Gary's full email here

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Hair Growth Routine | For Men
Hair Growth Routine | For Men
Formulated to combat shedding & signs of balding
Hair Growth Routine | For Women
Hair Growth Routine | For Women
Formulated to combat thinning hair & visible scalp

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.

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.

Hair Growth Routine | For Men
Hair Growth Routine | For Men
Formulated to combat shedding & signs of balding
Hair Growth Routine | For Women
Hair Growth Routine | For Women
Formulated to combat thinning hair & visible scalp

    References

    1. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Biotin-HealthProfessional/
    2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25883641/
    3. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jocd.12865
    4. https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/qa/what-is-biotin
    5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK547751/
    6. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30714301/
    7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3648722
    Luat Duong

    Luat Duong is a Copenhagen-based writer and content strategist specializing in hair loss and health. His work has been featured in MyHealthGuide, The Right Hairstyles, and Woman's Era. He is a graduate of Vaasa University. You can connect with him on LinkedIn.