Effectiveness of Biotin Supplementation for Hair Growth in Patients with Alopecia: A Systematic Review

This systematic review evaluated the effectiveness of biotin supplementation for hair growth in patients with alopecia. Ten studies were analyzed, revealing that biotin monotherapy did not consistently improve hair growth outcomes. Improvements were typically seen in combined regimens, making it difficult to attribute benefits specifically to biotin. The review found mixed results regarding "low" biotin levels in hair loss populations, and controlled studies in telogen effluvium showed no significant differences in serum biotin levels compared to controls. No serious adverse events were linked to biotin, but high doses may interfere with immunoassays. The evidence does not support routine biotin supplementation for alopecia without documented deficiency, though it may be considered in cases of deficiency or malabsorption risk.