Is biotin a useful supplement to help aid in the fight against hair loss? It can be, however, there are some side effects to biotin that you should be aware of.

Biotin, or vitamin B, is an essential vitamin that is involved in a variety of metabolic processes throughout the body. It can help your body carry enzymes and nutrients to produce energy. One of the main functions of biotin is to maintain the health of hair, skin, and nails. 

Is Biotin Deficiency A Concern?

Deficiency of biotin is rare. For the most part, a healthy diet is enough to keep biotin levels where they should be. Still, many people in recent times are trying to take more biotin whether they have a deficiency, or in hopes for additional health benefits, like hair regrowth or thickening. 

Users should proceed with caution, however, as this vitamin can sometimes do more harm than good…

Since there isn’t much scientific proof that biotin promotes hair regrowth, starting to take these pills unadvised could put you at risk.

John Frank, MD, who has been restoring hair in New York and Ohio for over 25 years, knows the risk that comes with taking over-the-counter vitamins that promote hair growth, as they can often lead to unpleasant health issues. 

It is best to make sure you actually have a deficiency by checking with your hair restoration doctor before putting too much of any substance in your body, especially biotin. This vitamin in particular comes with a long list of side effects that can make its use not worth it.

Side Effect #1 Rashes

One common side effect of too much of this vitamin in the body are rashes. These red, itchy bumps on the skin can last days and be extremely uncomfortable. They can also cause a lot of pain, especially when in sensitive areas. 

Rashes caused by biotin can often take over the whole body and resemble psoriasis. This is one of the most common side effects and can even be paired with swelling in the throat, difficulty breathing, and other health concerns.

Side Effects #2 Digestive Issues

Many people who take biotin also face digestive issues. Biotin supplements can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps.

Since these issues can occur pretty early, it’s a good idea to monitor how you’re feeling after you take it. If you have stomach troubles immediately after taking biotin, you should consider stopping use, as these side effects can slow you down immensely and are a sure sign your body isn’t adjusting well to the extra intake of biotin.

Side Effects #3 Causing Acne

A lot of people take biotin to improve acne, so when it starts to have reverse effects, what is the point? Too much biotin can cause cystic acne along your chin and jawline.

Unlike a normal breakout, cystic acne consists of larger, more painful bumps and often leaves scars due to the size and the deepness of the clogged pores. Cystic acne is troublesome and not an easy fix. Many times, hormonal imbalance can cause it, and it’s hard to stop it or prevent it from returning.

Side Effects #4 Affecting Lab Results

Biotin also has the potential to affect lab results. If your biotin intake is too high, you can be at risk for producing false positives or false negatives for a variety of different lab tests.

This can lead to misdiagnosis and mistreatment. Many doctors even suggest stopping supplemental intake before getting lab results due to the harm these false results can cause. The importance of accurate lab tests when dealing with health issues can be time sensitive.

At the end of the day, biotin is a naturally occurring substance that is found in many foods, such as oats, milk, apples, potatoes, bananas, nuts etc. Because of these popular foods being rich in biotin, deficiency is normally not an issue. While many people have tried to take biotin for hair regrowth, it is not the best solution.

Biotin can cause many different side effects and is not proven to be widely effective as a form of treatment for hair loss.

The Solution

Instead, turn to John Frank, MD, for all your hair regrowth questions and needs. As an expert with clinics in the New York and Ohio areas, he has helped over 20,000 patients with hair regrowth treatments.

Dr. Frank and his team use a variety of different products and techniques to help men and women regrow hair, move the hairs they have, and fight the DHT hormone produced by the body known to cause hair loss. 

The best time to start treatment was before you started noticing your hair loss, the second best time is today. Every day that you wait to get started in the process of combating hair loss you lose more follicles, ones that could have otherwise been saved had you started the right treatments sooner than later. 

Ready to stop thinning hair, loss of hair, or a receding hairline in it’s tracks and get back a more youthful look and feel better about your appearance?

Don’t wait, request a Frank & Honest Hair Consultation today with Dr. John Frank and his team before turning to supplements that can do more harm than good! Get in touch with our team in Ohio, or New York City today!