If you’ve recently started supplementing with biotin, you may be wondering how long before you start noticing the effects. How quickly you notice the impacts of supplemental biotin depends on a few different factors.
Let’s dive in.
What Is Biotin and How Does It Work?
Biotin is a water-soluble B-vitamin, also known as vitamin B7 or vitamin H. It’s an essential nutrient that plays a major role in many body processes including keratin production, one of the major components of our hair, skin, and nails, and cellular metabolism (biotin helps take the food you eat and turn it into energy for your body to use) [1, 2, 3].
You can find good sources of biotin in many foods, including meat, fish, eggs, organ meats, nuts, seeds, and some vegetables.
Like any dietary supplement, there's different reasons someone may decide to take supplemental biotin, including:
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The presence of a deficiency (although rare)
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The presence of a genetic disorder that impacts the ability to get enough biotin (also known as biotinidase deficiency
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A condition that increases biotin needs, such as pregnancy or breastfeeding
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To support healthy hair, skin, and nails
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For blood sugar regulation
Factors That Influence Biotin’s Effectiveness
Some factors that may influence the effectiveness of supplemental biotin include the dosage. How much biotin you should take will depend on why you are taking it.
Adults over the age of 19 are recommended to get 30 mcg of biotin daily. Those who are under 19 or who are pregnant or breastfeeding will have different biotin needs [1].
If you have a diagnosed deficiency, you will need higher doses of biotin, starting typically around 5,000 mcg but deficiency is rare in the United States. Most supplements are between 30-100 mcg.
Those taking biotin for conditions such as alopecia (a condition that causes hair loss) or brittle nails, may take higher doses of 3,000-10,000 mcg per day. If you are just taking biotin for a beauty supplement, a 30 mcg dose is recommended [2].
Keep in mind, you are also likely getting some biotin from dietary sources.
Because biotin is a water-soluble vitamin, there is not a big concern for toxicity but high doses may cause side effects. Biotin supplements may also interact with certain medications so it’s important to communicate supplements with your healthcare provider.
Individual factors, such as age, metabolism, and genetic predispositions may impact your ability to absorb biotin. If you are unsure if you need supplemental biotin, you can ask your healthcare provider to test your levels.
Lastly, the consistency you take of biotin supplements will impact its effectiveness. Best results come with consistent intake daily.
Typical Timeline for Biotin Results
How soon you see results from biotin supplementation will vary depending on why you are taking it. Those with a deficiency will likely notice improvements within a couple weeks of taking biotin supplements. Most deficiencies resolve within a few months of consistent intake.
However, biotin is a popular beauty supplement for hair, skin, and nails. These timelines may look different. Below are some average timelines you can expect if you are taking biotin for hair growth, nail strength, or skin health.
Hair growth
If you are taking biotin for hair health, you may start to notice improvements after consistent supplementation for at least 3 months.
However, it’s important to note that the evidence on biotin supplementation for hair growth is relatively weak. There are studies that support biotin to help improve hair loss, however, this is strongest in those with a deficiency present and even these studies show likely additional factors involved [4].
A small study on patients with low biotin levels experiencing hair loss after gastric sleeve surgery showed improvements in hair loss after 3 months of consistent supplementation [5].
Nail strength
Like the studies available on hair growth, there is no strong evidence available in the current literature to support the benefits of biotin supplements on nail growth or strength. However, biotin is a common supplement used to help treat brittle nails, which can occur as a result of a biotin deficiency.
A study conducted in Switzerland found a 25% increase in nail plate thickness in patients with brittle nails who took daily biotin supplements for 6 months [6].
Skin health
Skin issues are commonly present with biotin deficiencies as well however, outside of this there isn’t any significant research that supports biotin supplements for improving skin health. In fact, studies in this area are limited and vary depending on what factors are considered for skin health.
How to Maximize Biotin’s Benefits
If you are planning to take biotin and want to maximize its benefits, consider the following tips.
Pairing biotin with a balanced diet
Regardless of why you are taking biotin, whether it’s for a beauty supplement, a deficiency, or an increased need, pairing it with a balanced diet is essential to get maximum benefits. Focus on choosing more whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, beans, legumes, whole grains, lean meats, and dairy products and choose less processed food items.
Consistency in supplementation: Why regular intake matters
As mentioned earlier, consistent intake is also essential for biotin supplements. This allows for a regular supply of biotin for your body to utilize for necessary functions. This is especially important if a deficiency is present as it can help to reduce or prevent the changes of developing side effects from biotin deficiency, such as brittle nails or hair loss.
Common Misconceptions About Biotin’s Results
It’s important to keep in mind that the results of biotin supplementation may not be immediate or guaranteed. Everyone responds differently to supplements and their effectiveness will depend on many factors specific to the individual.
When it comes to managing your expectations with biotin supplements, consider taking a holistic approach. Focus on including biotin-rich foods along with a balanced diet and include biotin supplements only if necessary.
Bottom Line
Biotin is an essential nutrient that plays a role in many different functions in the body. There are many instances in which you may require higher amounts of biotin or even supplementation however, not all benefits of taking supplemental biotin are supported with strong research.
Whether you are taking biotin supplements at the recommendation of your doctor or for a beauty supplement, you can't expect them to work overnight. With consistent intake, most notice the benefits of supplemental biotin within a few weeks to as long as 6 months depending on the reason you are taking it.
