Biotin, or vitamin B7/H, is a vitamin that the body needs, in small amounts, to help create fatty acids. Your body can make biotin naturally in your gut, but it’s also found in lots of food, and some people take a biotin supplement.  

Biotin helps the body produce and activate a variety of proteins. Without biotin (i.e. if you have low biotin or a biotin deficiency) you might shed more hair than normal, have problems sleeping, have skin irritation or nausea.  

Biotin is a vitamin that can be taken alongside hair loss treatments.

Biotin is typically taken for hair growth. One of the proteins that biotin stimulates is keratin. Keratin is the main protein in the hair and nails, so it’s thought that taking biotin might indirectly help support the health of the hair and nails.  

There’s not enough evidence for us to state the impact of taking biotin supplements on your hair. But there is no harm in taking biotin supplements, in the correct dosage – as we know the processes this vitamin kickstarts, might help support the health of your hair.  

Take one biotin capsule each day. The best time to take biotin, as with most vitamin supplements is with your morning meal as this helps your body absorb the nutrients. 

The NHS recommend taking no more than 0.9mg of biotin per day in supplements, this is the dosage in each biotin capsule. 

Yes. Biotin can be used alongside other hair loss treatments. You can take biotin and minoxidil (a scalp solution) together or combine biotin and Finasteride (a prescription-only tablet). We also offer a hair loss shampoo which you can use too. This shampoo might help block the action of DHT, like Finasteride.

We have a variety of hair loss treatment bundles, which might be suitable for you, if you’re looking at combining treatments. Find out more here.  

Yes, most of us will get biotin from our diet. A healthy diet is one of the best ways to make sure you’re getting all the nutrients you need, including iron. There are also biotin-rich foods you could consider adding into your diet, including: 

• Nuts and seeds 
• Beans, lentils and whole grains 
• Rice 
• Broccoli 
• Avocado 
• Sweet potatoes 
• Mushrooms 
• Bananas  
• Liver 
• Egg yolks 

There are no known biotin side effects if you take biotin in the correct dosage. 

Finasteride and minoxidil are the only proven ingredients to treat hair loss other than a hair transplant. Hair transplants aren’t an option available to everyone, as they can be expensive and invasive.

Other options to help hair loss include wigs, hair pieces or makeup.