11.25.2011

Cheap Treats: Biotin

Me, wearing Hot For Chocolate by Revlon, and holding this bottle intently.

Thanks for visiting my blog! Often I feature Cheap Treats; products I love that are fewer than $10.
Please stay awhile--ElleSees features beauty tips, tricks, and tutorials. Enjoy! 


How was your Thanksgiving? I'm still stuffed and still visiting with family. Speaking of family, this week's Cheap Treat comes from a family request from earlier this year--my mom and sisters have gorgeous curly, fine hair (brown, blonde, and red, respectively). I have dark brown, wavy, wiry, thick hair. Anyway, my Mom and Lil Sis asked if I knew any tricks to get their hair to grow and I had a few. Our hair changes due to stress, age, etc, and I had a period of time where my hair seemed to be shedding more than usual. There are several tricks I used, and one I swear by is Biotin--it really works and is around $2.99+ a bottle. Your hair will grow! But, as many commenters have reminded me, ALL of your hair grows, not just the hair on your head. I saw no difference in my complexion, since I've never had acne, but others have commented that Biotin made acne worse/caused acne.

How much to take? 
Between 1000-5000 mcg per day. The bottle above is 5000 micrograms, so take just one capsule. The brand used here is Spring Valley, and is from Walmart.

Can you take this with daily vitamins? Can I take if pregnant?
I did; however, I am NOT a Dr/qualified to give medical advice, so check with your Dr first. I've never been pregnant, so check with your Dr. once again.

Have you tried this? 
What's a Cheap Treat you've been loving lately? 

PS: WANT THICK HAIR? Check out my recommendation HERE.

Please do not plagiarize this post. 
Please cite this post if using on your site.

91 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  2. That brand of vitamins are very good. I used their B12 version before to help prevent canker sores

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  3. What a cool tip! Hope you had a great Thanksgiving!

    xoxo ~ Courtney
    http://sartorialsidelines.com

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  4. I've been taking Biotin everyday and have really noticed a difference in my nails. They are actually long and strong now!

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  5. I take Biotin every day. I have thin, curly as well. The amount of straightening I do to it makes it 2000 times worse. You can also suggest to them Shea Moisture shampoo and conditioner (Yucca is their hair thickening line). It has biotin built into and it smells fab!

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  6. Very interesting - I like your nail polish colour

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  7. Such a good tip! I need to pick some up.HOpe you had a wonderful thanksgiving!

    xo Mary Jo

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  8. I've heard of it from a girl I work with but never got around to trying it. Good to know it works for you too!

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  9. Weird! I just saw Biotin on my sisters dresser but I didnt know what it was!

    PS Thanks for the tip on the DIY necklace!

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  10. I use Hair, Skin, and Nails vitamins, pretty much the same thing and I swear by it!

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    Replies
    1. How long before you noticed changes? I just started using them about a week ago or so

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  11. i am still full from thanksgiving, too. love the concept of cheap treats! it's a great idea!

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  12. I think I will try this. I really want to grow my hair longer and hopefully this will help :)
    aimee
    www.new-yorkdoll.blogspot.com
    xxx

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  13. Hey Elle! I'm just coming out of my food coma. HAHAHA I agree Biotin is the best! I used it and my hair felt stronger and grew. I'm going back on it after I just had an awful haircut. LOL Thanks for informing your readers about this. :D
    http://sassyuptownchic.blogspot.com/

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  14. I just started taking this last month and loving the results! Makes such a difference!

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  15. Who knew? I never heard of this beauty trick. Thank you!!

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  16. I've never tried it before but I've heard about it. I remember that celebs used to claim that's how their hair grew so fast but now we all know it was probably extensions. :)

    Jenn

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  17. I totally need this! My hair is taking forever to grow!

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  18. I've never taken any pills for nails or hair, for some reason I always doubted they would work.. I could try, just for fun :)

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  19. Great tip...age and health have robbed me of my beautiful hair I once had....will give it a whirl. Thanks for popping over to my blog and your comment by the way!

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  20. love biotin! reminds me I need to start taking it again.

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  21. I'm off to the store to buy me some...Biotin!

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  22. It's like you read my mind! I've been searching for something for my hair. I'm going to buy a bottle!
    thanks for the tip
    xx

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  23. I had no idea this supplement helped with that. I'm going to have to give it a try next time I grow out my hair!

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  24. Can't wait to try this!! Thanks :) Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

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  25. Hey, you took me from diamonds to vitamins:) I honestly did not know this about biotin. You always have the best tips!

    *Erin

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  26. Stress definitely affects my hair and skin so this is really great advice. Excited to try this.

    Glad you had a great Thanksgiving. You definitely have to make it out to the parade at some point. It's a lot of fun seeing those huge balloons live.

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  27. I take Biotin everyday and love it! I can definitely see a difference!

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  28. I have been taking this for awhile and love it....the only problem is that my eyebrows grow in way too fast!

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  29. I thank you so much for your blog and for the Biotin trick as my husband fell in love with me partly for my hair and now that I'm aging and stressed it's thinning..you can be sure I"m picking some up this weekend! By the way how long did it take for you to see results?

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  30. hey...how many of the capsules do you take a day? is one in the morning enough? tia :-)

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  31. My hair stylist said that a client of hers is taking 3,000mg a day. Her hair is completely different and stronger. I had always just taken 1000 mg a day. I upped it to 3 pills after that recommendation!

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  32. I have been taking it for about a year now and yes, my hair is thicker and fuller but expect all your hair to grow. I used to shave once a week and now I shave three times a week and I have to get my eyebrows done at least once a month so that they can trim them. Lol great product.

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  33. Thanks for the wonderful tip! Can you take this along with your regular daily vitamin? Thank u

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  34. Can you tell me where I can buy this brand of Biotin. Thanks

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  35. I started using Biotin after I cut my hair when it was a quarter of the way down my back. A week later I wanted my hair back. I saw this post on Pintrest and I can tell a difference in a little over a month and a half. I totally swear by this stuff!!

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  36. I Should give this a try because my hear is thick and a little frizzy. I'm a beauty junkie and I am always researching the latest beauty tricks and tools.

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  37. So, would Biotin also work for guys? Getting thicker hair vs. balding? Or maybe a quicker jump to a beard? Just curious! LOL..

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  38. Rachel--I would think it wouldn't work for baldness since hair follicles becoming fewer in number is what causes that.

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  39. can you take it if your pregnant?

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  40. Anon: I would advise against it, as you're probably taking prenatal vitamins already. High doses have been found to harm the fetuses of lab animals. Check with your Dr. first.

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  41. Has anyone experienced acne taking biotin? I keep radingbn that many women had cystic acne breakouts!?

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  42. I have Biotin 1000 mg how many a day should i take?? plus, i heard that taking these pills you gain weight?? is that true?

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  43. Anon, please reread the post concerning dosage. As for me I experienced no weight gain or negative side effects

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  44. I take Great Hair by Vitol. 5,000 of biotin. 75 minerals. Works wonders!

    Check with your doctor before starting any health regiment.

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  46. Andrew Lessmans, Skin Hair and Nail Formula the best! Check out HSN for great deals. Contains lots of Biotin and other great ingredients. When I first started taking it I was getting acrylic nails and blaming the nail techs for not doing a good job because my refills were needed sooner than 2 weeks. Took me a while to realize it was the supplements. No longer use fake acrylics ~ yeah!

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  47. PS forgot to mention better healthy hair too!

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  48. Please can you tell me what the brand name that is in the photo? I live in England and none of the brands here usually do such a high dosage as the 5000 bottle, so I can look up the brand and order some online!
    Alice

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  49. Alice-http://www.walmart.com/ip/Spring-Valley-Biotin-5000-mcg-120ct-Softgels-Dietary-Supplement/11047685

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  50. I always have issues with my nails being weak and brittle and the break/peel easily and often. I began taking Biotin and I really do think it makes a difference. My nails grew longer, but the important thing is that they are much stronger than before. I'm not one of those people who believe in "miracle" vitamins and supplements to make hair and nails perfect, but I must say this has made a significant difference in my nail health.

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  51. It's 5,000 MICROGRAMS A DAY, NOT MGS AS SUGGESTED BY A FEW OF THE PEOPLE COMMENTING

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  52. I've heard many things about hair, a few about nails, but did anyone notice anything about skin complexion?

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  53. I'm also curious about the complexion thing. Did it effect yours in any way? Also does it just make leg/head/"lady bits" hair grow faster or did it also make arm/face/etc hair grow faster?

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  54. What the commenter left out was that consistance with taking this is key. You need to take biotin EVERY DAY for it to actually make a difference.

    Researchers found 5,000mcg of biotin is the magic number. Just make sure you're actually buying the 5,000 pill (not 1,000 and taking 5 of them...) something about the potency in the 5,000 has a different affect!

    Hope this helps! Its really a miracle product!

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  55. does it help with acne too??

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  56. I so like you blog :-) very informative :-)

    Stop by me sometime: www.stilldeeper.blogspot.com and

    Www.stilldeeperstyle.blogspot.com

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  57. Saw this on pintrest and started taking it daily. Hair and nails are amazing now!!
    For those wondering about complexion: ive only been taking it for about a month but my complexion is getting clearer. Ive never had bad acne just mild but that is clearing up as well. I was asked if i was wearing make up the other day. my nails are strong and growing like crazy and my hair being shiny and strong! I only take a 1000 micrograms so not sure what a stronger dose would do.

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  58. They now have Biotin in 10,000 mcg

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  59. i have been taking this for about a month now, and i have noticed that my hair is a lot shinier and stronger. Also, my skin has improved.

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  60. Saw this on pinterest and glad I did! This is what I really need!

    Tammy

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  61. My daughter took this and her hair and nails grew like crazy! I gave it a try and love it! Hair looks great and so shiny and growing fast! Highly recommend this!

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  62. Hmmmm. I am reading these posts and have been taking this for two months and cannot tell any difference. Sorry to be a wet blanket but you know how the saying goes, if it seems to good to be true, it is.

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  63. So does this help with acne! Or just hair and nails?

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  64. @anon: I've not seen it make acne disappear, but some users have seen their skin look better.

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  65. Saw this on Pinterest and went and bought some. Within 3 days I had the worst cystic acne outbreak of my life. I haven't had cystic acne in over a year thanks to giving up dairy, but this caused huge, painful cysts on my cheeks and chin, and my cheeks have never, ever broken out before.
    Took me a while before I googled biotin and acne and whoa! Lots of reports of cystic acne related to this stuff.
    My skin started clearing up 2 days after my last dose. Nothing else in my diet or skincare routine changed during this time so I know Biotin was the culprit.
    Ladies, if you are acne prone be careful! No good having gorgeous hair and nails if your face looks horrendous.

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  66. Biotion actually doesn't make ALL of your hair grown just your hair on your head,our body hair has a limit to how long it grows so it won't grow more just the hair on our head

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  67. I just bought this today (biotin) looking forward to start just hope it doesn't cause those cysts I keep hereing about....oh well won't know until I try......Will let you know how it works out for me.....

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  68. This sounds like such a great idea, my hair is so thin that I just have to give this a try, thanks!

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  69. So I saw someone rip this off and use your picture on their blog... Is that ok? The blog is called Sam tried it...

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  70. I have very sensitive skin and break out when I use cheap products (lotions, makeup, perfume... etc), wear wool, or wear cheap jewelry. Since I've been very prone to acne (hormonal and environmental), I'm super careful with the products I use. My boyfriend's mother had awesome results with skin clearing after using Biotin, so I started taking it regularly a few weeks ago. So far, I've had no abnormal breakouts and my complexion actually appears more even. My nails are stronger than ever, and my fine hair is fuller and generally healthier!! Definitely try it, but it may not be for everyone! I take 2,500 mcg.

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  71. Hi.
    Have you/anyone you know tried One a Day Women's Formula Multivitamin Supplement tablets from Costco? I recently started taking those, but if Biotin is better I will switch.

    You may answer right here, might help another reader too...I will come back to check your reply :)

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  72. @nisha I'm pretty sure I've taken those before but don't recall having a change in hair and I don't recall if biotin is in them and the mcg amount.

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  73. Yes I can say it really works. I have only been taken it for 1 month & my nails are longer & more stronger. My hair is much thicker & it has started to grow back.
    Thanks got the tip!!!!!!

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  74. Yes I can say this really works. I have been using it daily for a month now. My nails are longer & stronger. My hair has started back growing & it is much thicker also. Great product. Thanks again for this wonderful tip.

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  75. This post really everyone who are going through hair loss.

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  76. really works!! My hair grew 6 inches in 3 months taking biotin but it gave me terrible acne booo :(

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  77. really works!! My hair grew 6 inches in 3 months taking biotin but it gave me terrible acne booo :(

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  78. I tried to like this product but it broke me out in acne. They say if you drink alot of water this can be prevented. Well it didn't work with me and I drink minimum 7 glasses of water a day.

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  79. I started to take Biotin 2 months ago. Haven't had acne in years since I did Accutane. Now, in the last few weeks, I have broken out all over, my nails are actually softer instead of getting harder and my hair has not grown more than normal. Biotin did not work for me.

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  80. Everyone is asking about acne, I've been using this product for a week and my acne is starting to fade away, already, n I have mild acne

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  81. can you take this after chemo treatments...

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  82. Thanks for the tips and comments!

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