Where Does The Biotin Myth Come From?

[Afro_Vacancy]

It comes up all the time, people really believe that biotin will solve their hair loss. We see a post on biotin on this forum about once a week. I've seen youtube videos on biotin. I'm on an intermittent fasting group on facebook, some of the people there are convinced that biotin / "hair skin nails" have solved or will solve the hair problems they are experiencing after switching to a ketogenic diet.

Where does this myth come from?

Background: Biotin is either vitamin B7 or vitamin H. People buy it in supplement where they take -- I kid you not -- 1,500% of the daily recommended value in order to grow better hair, skin, and nails.

 

[Folliman]

Biotin helps people with biotin deficiency and they recommend it to other people that just have Androgenetic Alopecia.

 

[SmoothSailing]

Two main reasons, besides the heap of questionable ancedotal evidence, in my opinion.

1. It certainly plays a role in growing hair and a deficiency (which is extremely rare) can lead to alopecia.

In instances that biotin deficiency occurs, of which there are numerous possible causes (genetic deficiency of biotinidase, avidin consumption, and as a possible side-effect of pharmaceuticals), administration of biotin appears to be able to restore hair loss that occurs with biotin deficiency.

2. It seems one initial study on women's nail growth set biotin off as the 'beauty vitamin' which probably just became a marketing thing more than anything.

It was initially found to be a component of nails, skin, and hair to a relatively high degree. Biotin has been seen as the go-to vitamin for beauty ever since one pilot study in women with brittle nails showed supplementation to be beneficial. It is currently being marketed for improving nail, skin, and hair aesthetics. These claims, however, were not followed up scientifically so there is not much evidence to support biotin's role here. It can plausibly have these actions mechanistically, but there is simply not much evidence that can be used as support.

Both quotes from the well sourced examine page.

https://examine.com/supplements/biotin/

 

[Alk]

Their hairloss is most likely t.e. from switching to ketones as a fuel. Then they take biotin and all of a sudden hair is coming back but its all placebo. Still a great diet thou.

 

[Funkymonk1]

Biotin helps people with biotin deficiency and they recommend it to other people that just have Androgenetic Alopecia.

This. Biotin deficiency can contribute to hair loss however most people get enough biotin in their diet anyway so biotin supplements aren't actually needed.