Hair Restoration Blog

Q:

Hi Doctor,

Can I use Biotin for my hair loss in addition to Propecia?

A:

Biotin is also known as vitamin H or B7 that has the chemical formula C10H16N2O3S, is a water-soluble B-complex vitamin.  Biotin is necessary for cell growth, the production of fatty acids, and the metabolism of fats and amino acids. It plays a role in the Citric acid cycle, which is the process by which biochemical energy is generated during aerobic respiration.  Biotin is often recommended for strengthening hair and nails.  Consequently, it is found in many cosmetic and health products for the hair and skin.

However, deficiency is very rare, as intestinal bacteria is generally produced when an excess of the body’s daily requirements are exceeded.  For that reason, in many countries, daily intake of vitamins are not recommended for healthy individuals.  So although lack of Biotin may cause hair loss in the people with mal-absorption, normal and healthy individuals do not lose hair due to Biotin deficiency so they do not need extra Biotin to help their hair condition.

Q:

I am a 21 year old boy and I started losing my hairs an year ago .I was preparing for my exams and i had some sort of food poisoning thing which affected my health adversely and I couldn’t had a proper diet for two months which resulted in a dull patch of baldness over my scalp.. I consulted with my local doctor and he suggested me minoxidil with some diet supplements(BIOVET-biotin and EMVIT-amino acids ,follic acid and some other vitamins).Now the hair fall is minimal but then too I suffer intense hair fall sometimes . I also took propecia after consulting with a doctor but it aggravated my situation and it catalyzed the hair fall instead. I was suggested that the hair fall will be temporary. I was scared so i discontinued the medicine.I took the medicine for 10 days specifically. Baldness is inherent in my family. What should Ii do?  Please guide me regarding the various hair treatments.  I dont wish to use propecia as I am scared about after mariage issues involved the medicine Hoping for your response as soon as possible.

Thanking You

A:

If you have a strong family history of hair loss, you may be heading in that direction already.  Vitamins for hair loss could be needed in case you are diagnosed with having vitamin deficiency.  However, a person with a balanced diet should not lose hair because of lack of vitamins.

Propecia, or finasteride, is by far the most effective medication for treatment of baldness or prevention of further hair loss.  You may experience some increase in hair shedding in the first few weeks to months, but that should not discourage you.  Hair growth with Propecia won’t be seen before six months from the time you start the medications.

You need to establish a good relationship with a good hair transplant doctor to properly diagnose your hair loss condition.  If you are diagnosed to have male pattern baldness or typical men hair loss you need to start taking hair loss medications and eventually get a hair transplant if need be.

As for “after marriage issues,” I believe you might be referring to the report of side effects associated to the use of finasteride. It has been reported that only 1 out of 100 patients (or less than 2%) have experienced some form of sexual side effect (erectile dysfunction, less desire to have sex, problems with ejaculation such as a decrease in the amount of semen released). The side effects have usually been temporary with continued treatment or disappeared when treatment is stopped.  It is a safe and proven product and should not be disregarded as a way to treat hair loss.