Hair loss: Should you pick biotin or vitamin D for hair growth?

Hair loss is one problem that affects a lot of women. It is important to note that the hair care regime goes beyond shampooing and using a conditioner. Some use hair masks and go for a hair spa. Others try out home remedies to fight hair loss. You can apply as many products on your hair as you want, but if you aren’t getting the right nutrients, your hair will suffer. That’s why biotin and vitamin D are important for healthy hair. These two can help you to combat hair loss. But which one is more effective for hair growth?

Health Shots consulted Delhi-based dermatologist, ENT and hair transplant surgeon Dr Ishan Sardesai, founder of The Face Centre Medical Aesthetic Clinic, to know about these nutrients for healthy hair.

Biotin for hair growth

Biotin or Vitamin B7 is one of the B complex vitamins which is important for overall health as well as for strong hair. Dr Sardesai says it has an important role in the synthesis of various amino acids and proteins that are essential for hair growth. So, it can be given as a supplement to those who are suffering from hair loss or hair thinning. According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine, women with hair thinning were told to choose either a multi-ingredient hair growth supplement with biotin in it or a placebo for six months. The ones who got the hair growth supplement saw a visible increase in thickness, overall hair volume and scalp coverage after the treatment came to an end. This shows that biotin might help in hair growth.

Vitamin D to prevent hair loss

Vitamin D is needed by your body as it plays a key role in dermatology due to its anti-inflammatory properties. It also has an affect on the hair cycle, as per National Library of Medicine. Dr Sardesai says that attempts have been made to show a link between vitamin D and certain types of hair loss such as female pattern baldness, alopecia areata and telogen effluvium. If you have a good diet containing sources of vitamin D such as fish like tuna, fortified milk, egg, cheese and spend a fair amount of time in the sun, you might not require additional supplementation.

Biotin vs vitamin D for hair loss

When it comes to hair loss, it is important to understand that first a detailed medical history is required. Along with that, there are certain in-clinic procedures such as mesotherapy which help in thickening the existing hair and promoting new hair growth, says the expert. There are also certain medications like minoxidil and finasteride which are given for hair loss or thinning. Biotin or vitamin D supplements are sometimes given if there is a deficiency or poor diet. However, these supplements are not the most effective way to stop hair loss or improve hair growth. They function more as add-ons.

So, just combine biotin and vitamin D for hair growth. The expert notes that nowadays several essential multivitamins, specifically for hair, can be combined into a single capsule or tablet. These can be taken either once or twice a day. Each of these macro and micronutrients are needed for all the stages of hair growth. Vitamin D and biotin work well together and they can give better results when combined together.

One way to use biotin and vitamin D is to have them as supplements if there is a dietary deficiency. Or they can be used along with other medications and therapies to give an overall improvement to the hair. Biotin can also be included in shampoos along with other ingredients like caffeine, argan oil or saw palmetto which help in preventing hair loss and thickening the hair. But before starting biotin or vitamin D supplements, let your doctor determine the cause, type and stage of hair loss.