What is Biotin and What Does it Do for Our Hair Health?

The relationship between your biotin intake and strong, vibrant, healthy hair is not entirely understood, but it is widely accepted that a deficiency in biotin can lead to hair loss and dulled color (presumably from a loss of pigment). However, because a biotin deficiency can be difficult to diagnose, it is often not evident that you’re short on B7 until there are outward symptoms, such as hair shedding, color fading, brittle nails or a scaly skin rash.

To keep from ever getting to that point, it may make sense to routinely integrate foods rich in biotin into your daily diet. A few options: egg yolks, nuts (and nut butters), whole grains, soybeans and other legumes, bananas, cauliflower and mushrooms. For extra insurance, you may also take biotin as a daily supplement. The recommended daily allowance of Biotin is about 30mcg, but because biotin is water soluble, if you do take more than your body needs, it will just be flushed out (thus you needn’t worry about overdoing it).

When applied topically, there is also evidence that biotin may strengthen existing strands and minimize splits and breakage, as well as nourish hair follicles on the scalp, improving the strength, elasticity and durability of new hair growth. At Prose, we subscribe to the thinking that regular use of topical biotin, especially applied in a treatment mask which sits on the scalp and hair for an extended period of time (i.e. ten to twenty minutes), is key to promoting longer, stronger, more vibrant hair. Biotin is often added to custom hair care formulas when clients note they have of weakened or fragile strands, dullness, and/or excessive shedding.

Interested in creating your own custom Prose hair care routine? You can get started here.