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Can Men Take Biotin for Hair Growth? | 3 Ways How

Tagged in: Hair Health
by Dr. Bryan Do, D.O.

How Men Should Use Biotin for Hair Loss and Bald Spots

Can Men Take Biotin?

Yes. Studies on biotin for poor growth show that it is helpful for thin hair that affects the entire scalp.  However, Androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness) affects a specific area of the scalp and therefore is better treated with a DHT Blocker.

Nevertheless, biotin is good to take along with a DHT Blocker to support faster and thicker hair growth. Learn how biotin for men can help to reduce hair loss and bald spots and promote hair growth below.

1. Take 5,000 mcg Biotin for Hair Growth

Biotin, also known as vitamin B7, is a water-soluble vitamin that plays a wide range of roles in the body. Biotin is sometimes referred to as vitamin H (for hair). Many people take biotin to support healthy hair, skin, and nails. Further research is required, but biotin is known to improve the infrastructure of keratin. Keratin is a fibrous protein that is one of the primary components that makes up the basic structures of hair, nails, and skin.4

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, scientists evaluated the effects of an oral supplement containing biotin on women with self-perceived thinning hair. The results showed a statistically significant increase in terminal hairs in the subjects, while the control group showed no changes. Self-assessment questionnaires also showed that subjects who had taken the supplement perceived more improvements in scalp coverage, hair thickness, and overall hair volume after 90 days. After 180 days, subjects perceived greater hair shine and quality, along with improved skin smoothness and skin moisture retention.5

If you feel that you need more biotin, consider taking a biotin supplement for hair.

In a smaller study, children with uncombable hair syndrome were given an oral biotin supplement of 0.3 milligrams three times a day. Subjects showed general improvements overall. One of the children showed improvement within 4 months of treatment with increased hair growth, combability, and strength.6

It is also well-known that low levels of biotin can result in brittle nails, a scaly red rash, and hair thinning or hair loss.4

2. Take a DHT Blocker with Biotin for Androgenetic Alopecia or Male Pattern Baldness

How Men Should Use Biotin for Hair Loss and Bald Spots

Biotin doesn’t affect the levels of DHT and therefore, it does not address the hair loss seen in male pattern baldness or androgenetic alopecia. It does however been proven to help promote hair growth. Using a DHT blocker along with biotin may provide faster growth and fuller, healthier hair. Here’s why:

Hair loss caused by androgenic alopecia, better known as male pattern baldness, is caused by either high levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) or greater sensitivity of the hair follicles to DHT. These conditions affect hair growth in a specific pattern – hair loss on the top of the scalp at the vertex and at the front of the hairline. Biotin supplementation on its own won’t help these conditions. The cause of these conditions is DHT.

DHT plays a role in supporting growth of axillary, pubic, and facial hair. However, high levels of DHT can cause hair follicles on the scalp to shrink, resulting in thinning and hair loss. The hair follicles at the front and the crown of the scalp have the most receptors. Therefore, they are usually affected first, leading to the recognizable male pattern baldness.

DHT blockers have been found to be the most effective in this form of baldness. These often work by inhibiting or reducing the amount of 5-alpha reductase. This enzyme converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone. This creates a natural imbalance as DHT attaches to the same receptors as testosterone more easily and for longer periods of time.8 Some common natural DHT blockers include:

  • Saw palmetto
  • Pumpkin seed oil
  • Stinging nettle
  • Lycopene
  • Fenugreek
  • Tea tree oil
  • Ketoconazole

How Long Until You See Results?

The amount of time it takes to see results can vary from person to person. Most people will only see benefits from biotin after several months of consistent intake. If you are getting your biotin from supplements, make sure you take it daily as recommended for best results. Research is limited, but some studies suggest regular intake of biotin could lead to results as soon as 90 days, which includes increased hair growth and improved shine. Some evidence shows that the longer you consume higher doses, the better your results.4

3. Take Other Vitamins for Hair Growth

Along with biotin and DHT blockers, consider incorporating these vitamins into your diet to combat hair loss and support healthy hair growth.

Vitamin A

Studies show that vitamin A is important in the development and maintenance of epithelial tissues in your skin and hair. It helps skin glands and hair follicles produce sebum, an oily substance that helps to moisturize and nourish the scalp and maintain healthy hair.9

Vitamin C

Best known for its immune boosting potential, vitamin C is one of the most powerful antioxidants that can combat oxidative stress and damage caused by harmful free radicals. Oxidative stress contributes to the aging of hair by actively harming proteins and cellular membranes, which may result in hair loss.10 Vitamin C also plays an important role in the production of collagen, an important protein that is a major component of all connective tissues, including skin, muscles, and hair.11

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin. Although its direct role in hair growth still requires further research, research does show that low levels of vitamin D are linked to hair loss.12 Further studies also suggest that vitamin D plays a role in the creation of new hair follicles, which contributes to greater hair volume and thickness.13

Vitamin E

Vitamin E offers antioxidant properties on par with vitamin C. One study found that patients suffering from hair loss showed lower levels of antioxidants in the scalp. The use of tocotrienols, a group of chemicals belonging to the vitamin E family, for up to eight months was found to increase hair growth by 34.5 percent by the end of the study.14

Zinc

Zinc is involved in the growth and repair of hair tissue and maintains oil glands located in the hair follicles.11 Zinc deficiency has also been shown to contribute to hair loss. Studies suggest that supplementing with zinc can help to support healthy hair and prevent deficiency.15

Maintaining optimum nutritional balance benefits not only your hair but your overall health as well.

DrFormulas HairOmega DHT Blockers and Vitamins for Hair Growth

DrFormulas HairOmega® DHT contains a unique combination of natural DHT Blockers along with biotin, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that act to support thicker, stronger, longer hair growth.

Recommended Biotin for Men 

1. Biotin Shampoo

2. Biotin Gummies

3. Biotin Vitamins and Supplements

Biotin Benefits for Men

How Men Should Use Biotin for Hair Loss and Bald Spots

For our complete guide on biotin, Click Here!

Sources:

  1. https://www.livescience.com/51696-biotin-vitamin-b7.html
  2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17506119
  3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2085665
  4. https://www.healthline.com/health/biotin-hair-growth
  5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3509882/
  6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/4031156?dopt=Abstract
  7. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Biotin-Consumer/
  8. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/68082.php
  9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21914489
  10. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2929555/
  11. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/best-vitamins-hair-growth
  12. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3412244/
  13. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1876678/
  14. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24575202
  15. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20141096
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