Biotin, also known as vitamin B7, is a water-soluble vitamin crucial for supporting several biological processes in the body. Biotin is sometimes called “vitamin H” because of its association with strong, healthy hair growth. What are biotin’s health benefits, and what is a biotin spray used for? We’ll cover everything you need to know below.
Biotin Sources
Biotin is a water-soluble vitamin, which means our bodies do not store it. So, how do we get biotin? Biotin comes from three primary sources:
- Produced by bacteria in the small intestine
- In small amounts in certain foods
- In vitamins or supplements
Importance of Biotin
Biotin is one of eight B-complex vitamins. Our bodies need biotin to fuel healthy metabolism, turning carbohydrates, fats, and proteins into energy. Biotin helps your body to manage gene activity and to regulate cell signals. As with all B-complex vitamins, biotin supports skin, hair, eye, and liver health, and it also plays a role in nervous system function and overall health. Of all the B-complex vitamins, biotin is most associated with skin and hair health.
Biotin Deficiencies
Biotin deficiencies can be either genetic or acquired. Specific risk factors, including long-term antibiotic use, seizure medications, alcoholism, and pregnancy, can cause an acquired biotin deficiency. Bariatric surgery, restrictive diets, anorexia, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s disease, and Celiac disease can also increase your risk of biotin deficiency.
While uncommon, a biotin deficiency often causes symptoms visible in skin and hair health. Because biotin is so essential for strong hair growth, a biotin deficiency can cause hair thinning or hair loss. Typical symptoms of biotin deficiency (genetic or acquired) include:
- Scaly, flaky, itchy patches of skin on the scalp
- Thinning hair
- Skin rashes
- Dry, brittle hair or breakage
- Cracked skin around the mouth
- Alopecia (hair loss)
How Much Biotin is Enough?
How much biotin you need each day depends on several individual factors, including your age, sex, physical condition, or the presence of any risk factors for biotin deficiency. As a rule of thumb, though, most healthy adults should get around 30 mcg. of biotin daily.
You can achieve your daily biotin goals through diet and supplementation. Dietary sources of biotin include yeast, whole wheat bread, cooked eggs, cheddar cheese, cooked liver, cooked salmon, pork, avocados, raspberries, and raw cauliflower.
Biotin Spray for Hair
Biotin is also available as a dietary supplement. Even if you don’t have a biotin deficiency, biotin may be a great tool to add to your health and hair care routine to promote thick, healthy, hydrated hair.
Research indicates that biotin supplementation may benefit individuals with underlying conditions that affect hair loss or growth. Some studies have found that biotin supplementation has a clinically significant beneficial impact on hair growth and health for individuals with diseases like alopecia or uncombable hair syndrome.
Biotin supplements come in various forms, including capsules, tablets, or gummies. Or, if you prefer a more direct approach, you can find biotin as an ingredient in a topical product, like biotin shampoo or a biotin spray for hair.
Benefits of Biotin Spray for Hair
What is a biotin spray, and what are the benefits of a topical product like a biotin spray for hair? A biotin spray is a liquid hair or scalp care product applied topically to promote scalp health and support healthy hair.
Biotin is involved in keratin production, crucial for healthy hair structure. Those with a biotin deficiency may find that regular topical biotin spray helps support healthy hair growth, thickness, and strength. Biotin sprays may also soothe and support scalp flakiness, itching, or dryness.
How can you find a biotin spray that’s right for your hair? Look for products that contain biotin and other scalp and hair-boosting ingredients.
Keratin Thickening Spray by Derma E is a protein-enriched, vitamin-packed spray formulated with ingredients like vegan keratin and biotin, rosemary extract, and therapeutic mint oils to promote healthy hair, nourish hair follicles, and stimulate hair growth.
HA Biotin Hair & Scalp Spray from Hyalogic contains pure, hydrating hyaluronic acid and biotin to promote rejuvenated, thicker, hydrated hair and a healthier-looking scalp.
Are you curious to learn more? Can supplements really make hair grow faster? We outline this topic and provide a list of the 9 best natural vitamins and supplements for fast hair growth on our blog.
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