Biotin alternative?

techmom · 08-30-2011, 07:08 AM

I have hair that grows extremely slow...like 1 1/2" a year. I tried to take Biotin, but after a week I had a weird..err.. embarrassing side effect. I notice a lot of the hair supplements (like GNC ultra nourish) contain large amounts of Biotin.

Might it have been the brand of Biotin that I was using? Is there a supplement that is an alternative to Biotin?

TIA

peaches095 · 09-06-2011, 05:24 AM

It may just be the brand try.another brand and see if that works. I got my biotin from Walmart. The brand is called spring valley

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TNeilson · 09-08-2011, 01:40 PM

Hi,

Does Fii mean you have fine hair? If it does I have met people with very fine hair that have trouble growing it out because it is so soft. It breaks before it has a chance to get long. My daughter's was this way when she was very small. Anyway, I have been looking for ways to grow out my own. My hair is fine too and tends to be on the thin side. So I went to Web Md for suggestions about nutrition. I guess biotin isn't the only thing that works, Omega 3 fatty acids supplements (fish oil, flax seed) is one that not only helps with hair growth but skin and nails. Also the website suggested certain foods: Kidney beans, yogurt, brazil nuts, spinach, whole grains, etc. It specifically suggested foods with vitamin B12 (meats) that are good for hair. I have been taking Omega 3 supplements for awhile now for my skin and I have noticed it has helped my hair as well. It also said that anything heart healthy is also good for the hair. It might be a good idea to do a search on Web Md for more info. Good Luck!

techmom · 09-09-2011, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peaches095

It may just be the brand try.another brand and see if that works. I got my biotin from Walmart. The brand is called spring valley

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I purchased another product labeled for "hair and nails" which has less Biotin. I am going to try every other day to see how it goes. Thanks

Quote:

Originally Posted by TNeilson

Hi,

Does Fii mean you have fine hair? If it does I have met people with very fine hair that have trouble growing it out because it is so soft. It breaks before it has a chance to get long. My daughter's was this way when she was very small. Anyway, I have been looking for ways to grow out my own. My hair is fine too and tends to be on the thin side. So I went to Web Md for suggestions about nutrition. I guess biotin isn't the only thing that works, Omega 3 fatty acids supplements (fish oil, flax seed) is one that not only helps with hair growth but skin and nails. Also the website suggested certain foods: Kidney beans, yogurt, brazil nuts, spinach, whole grains, etc. It specifically suggested foods with vitamin B12 (meats) that are good for hair. I have been taking Omega 3 supplements for awhile now for my skin and I have noticed it has helped my hair as well. It also said that anything heart healthy is also good for the hair. It might be a good idea to do a search on Web Md for more info. Good Luck!

Yes, it is fine. I don't think it is breaking. I just don't get that much new grow (as apparent from my roots showing

). I don't know why I didn't think of web md. Thanks for the suggestion.

marriedtoagreek · 10-13-2011, 11:53 PM

What was the side effect you experienced? I am taking 15,000 mcg/day of Biotin.

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ohtash · 10-14-2011, 05:17 AM

I stopped taking Biotin cuz I noticed I would break out! I thought maybe it was my braids in face at times but I did an experiment where I wore my hair up and took the pills for 2wks. I still broke out! So I just stopped using them all together.

This is the brands I use.

SaraNoH · 11-05-2011, 06:10 PM

If your embarassing side affect was acne, then you shouldn't worry about this. For many people biotin will make you break out BUT YOU HAVE TO WAIT and the it CLEARS UP. I hear of people saying it made them break out so they stopped. Um, a ton of acne meds do that before they really kick in. My skin's gotten a lot better and when I was religiously taking it (just 1 mg a day) my nails and hair had a mini growth spurt.

Also, I really wouldn't suggest taking more than what the dosage is on your bottle because your body can only absorb so much before you pee it out. Why take "extra" hoping to get better results if you're just going to pee it out? It's a waste.

BTW I got my biotin at Target. It's in a blue bottle, not sure what the brand is, but it was fairly inexpensive

hambo02 · 03-11-2013, 12:42 AM

i stopped taking biotin because it made me hungry. Like super hungry, eat everything because i cant get full. But i did notice an extra inch when i was taking it. I wanna take it again but i dont wanna be starving all the time ;/

itsKelCeeEee · 03-20-2013, 10:06 AM

I used to take biotin. It made my nails grow like weeds.

As far as hair growth, my hair seems to grow quicker from B-12 and Vitamin C, both which I started taking for health reasons. I've noticed improved hair health and quicker growth with these than what I got from the biotin. I take a multivitamin too.