Biotin hair loss treatments are numerous.  The nutrient is sometimes included in shampoos or leave on conditioners and oral supplementation is also recommended.  The question that most people want answered is this.  How effective is it?

Let's start with the shampoos and topically applied treatments.  Biotin, also known as vitamin B7, is not well absorbed through the skin.  So, it is very doubtful that a shampoo or other topically applied solution containing it would be beneficial.

Supplements, on the other hand, are often recommended for children and adults, because one of the outward signs of vitamin B7 deficiency is hair loss.  In serious cases, it progresses to the point where the eye lashes and even the eye brows fall out. 

Although adequate intakes (AI) have been established, there is no recommended daily intake to avoid deficiency.  For men and women over the age of 20, the AI is 30ug/day. 

Some women experience hair-loss during pregnancy and when breast-feeding.  That may be due to an increased need for vitamin B7.  Most pre-natal vitamins contain some.

Other individuals that may benefit from biotin hair loss oral supplements, because their nutritional needs are higher include athletes, elderly individuals and smokers.  A number of different health problems, including autoimmune diseases, acid reflux, bacterial, fungal and parasitic infections, anemia and gastritis, cause an increased need for the nutrient, as well. 

Prescription and over the counter drugs, including proton pump inhibitors and antacids, can inhibit the body's ability to produce the nutrient or absorb it from food.  In foods, the nutrient is bound to protein.  The body must be able to break that bond.  Otherwise, the nutrient will not be absorbed.  Without adequate stomach acid, that cannot occur.

Some vitamins can cause health problems or even toxicity if too much is taken in the form of a supplement, on a daily basis.  That is not the case for vitamin B7.  No adverse effects have been seen in humans or animals, even when daily intake is 300ug/day or higher. 

So, you could take a biotin hair loss supplement, even if you already take a daily multi-vitamin containing it.  The extra dose could be highly beneficial.

There are thousands of different baldness treatments on the market.  Some are obviously better than others.  The most effective treatments seem to be those that combine increased nutrient intake with a topically applied solution containing Minoxidil, a vasodilator that improves circulation to the follicles.

For women a biotin hair loss supplement should provide 10mg per day.  Other nutrients that are beneficial include vitamin B6 and magnesium.

For men, 40mcg of vitamin B7, along with 4mg of B6 and 12mg of zinc, seems to be the most beneficial.  Saw palmetto is recommended, too, especially for male pattern baldness.

A holistic practitioner would tell you that we always treat many health problems from the inside out and from the outside in.  In this case, that means taking a good biotin hair loss supplement and using a topically applied solution to improve circulation.