Biotin is a key vitamin for hair growth and strength, as it stimulates the production of the hair protein keratin. Research has shown that people with prematurely gray hair tend to have lower levels of biotin, so supplementation may help counteract graying hair.
Biotin, also known as vitamin B7, is often marketed as a supplement for promoting healthy hair, skin, and nails. However, there is no scientific evidence to support the claim that biotin can prevent or reverse gray hair.
Premature graying may be reversed with vitamin B12 supplementation only if vitamin B12 deficiency is the cause. If you are graying due to other factors, such as genetics, zinc deficiency, and medications, your gray hair cannot be reversed.
True Biotin deficiency is thought to be rare, but a lack of Biotin can cause hair loss and, in extreme cases, loss of hair colour. It is preferable to attain Biotin through your diet, rather than supplements — and fortunately it is found in small amounts in many types of food.
Biotin use has caused the misdiagnosis of hyperthyroidism and Graves' disease, a serious autoimmune thyroid disease. 8 This is due to biotin's impact on thyroid lab work. Check with your healthcare provider before starting a supplement regimen. They may suggest that you stop taking biotin before getting your labs done.
There are no treatments that are proven to treat (or reverse) gray hair. As researchers learn more about how the graying process happens, they may develop effective medications and treatments for gray hair.
That said, certain conditions may temporarily restore pigmentation. For example, if greying is caused by a vitamin deficiency, stress, or an underlying medical condition, addressing these issues may slow or even partially reverse greying. However, the complete reversal of naturally aged hair remains a challenge.
If you have any medical conditions -- or are pregnant or breastfeeding -- check with a doctor before using biotin supplements. Don't give biotin to a child unless a pediatrician recommends it. Interactions. If you take any drugs regularly, talk to your doctor before you start using biotin supplements.
Although the primary cause of premature hair graying (PHG) is considered to be genetic, certain environmental factors also play a role. Trace element deficiencies such as Vitamin B12, Vitamin D3, and calcium may also be associated with PHG.
A review of research suggests that proper supplementation may reverse premature graying in those who are deficient in certain nutrients, including iron, vitamin D, and vitamin B12. However, even though some supplements are specifically sold as “anti-graying,” there aren't any studies that prove they work.
The average age of onset of hair graying appears to be mid- to late forties; however, this varies with race, with the average age for Caucasians being mid-thirties, that for Asians being late thirties, and that for Africans being mid-forties.
As we age, melanocytes decrease in number and less melanin is produced. Fewer melanocytes mean a lack of pigment in the hair, resulting in a silvery-gray color. Now the hair itself is not actually white; it is an optical illusion that results when light is refracted off the hair, creating a silver-like look.
“No studies have proven that biotin supplements will change the appearance of your hair, skin or nails,” Delpra shares.
There isn't a lot of medical data to back it up, but some research does show that magnesium deficiency may be behind some (not all) causes of gray hair. If this is the cause of your greying, then making sure your magnesium stores are optimal could stop or even reverse the greying of your hair.
Dietary Biotin Supplementation Modifies Hepatic Morphology without Changes in Liver Toxicity Markers.
Excess in the body is rare, and since biotin is a water-soluble vitamin, it is excreted in the urine when in excess. Signs and symptoms of biotin overdose may include and are not limited to insomnia, excessive thirst, and urination.
Is biotin harmful to the kidneys? Taking biotin supplements does not seem to be harmful to the kidneys or other organs. There is no evidence that taking biotin causes kidney stones or leads to chronic kidney disease.
If the cause of greying is genetic, it is not possible to reverse the process, no matter what some marketers on the internet claim. In case of nutritional deficiencies and underlying medical conditions, you can gradually slow down or even reverse the process.
Several Vitamins and minerals like vitamin D, B complex, iron, calcium, and zinc can reverse the grey hair process and potentially contribute to the restoration of natural hair color. Additionally, minerals like iron, calcium, and zinc help maintain the blood supply to hair follicles and delay premature greying.
We have previously published findings that, after the age of 50, humans are seldom with- out gray hair. At this age, around 50% of men and 30% of women are moderately or totally gray haired.
Hair that has already lost its pigment is unlikely to regain its natural color. However, if premature greying is caused by a vitamin B12 deficiency, addressing the deficiency may help prevent further greying and promote overall hair health.
Regarding using baking soda for gray hair, experts endorse its potential benefits such as controlling pigmentation loss, lightening the strands, and providing texture. It can be used on coarse grey locks to make them smoother too by eliminating product buildup from oils or soaps.
Typically, White people start going gray in their mid-30s, Asian people in their late 30s, and Black people in their mid-40s. Half of all people have a significant amount of gray hair by the time they turn 50. A White person is considered to be prematurely gray if their hair turns gray by age 20.