Biotin supplements may help your appearance post-laser hair removal by supporting hair, skin and nail health. But before taking this supplement it’s important to confirm its safety with any other medications or supplements that may be prescribed to you.
Biotin deficiency is rare, yet can result in dry and irritated skin; brittle nails; hair loss and fatigue. Smoking, diabetes and malabsorption problems may reduce biotin levels in your body and affect biotin absorption rates.
What is Biotin?
Biotin (or vitamin B7) is a water-soluble vitamin belonging to the B complex family that aids the body in breaking down carbohydrates into energy while breaking down fats and proteins for metabolism. Biotin also plays an essential role in skin, hair, and eye health – as well as being found in numerous supplements and food forms. Biotin deficiency is rare among healthy people who consume varied diets; however if depleted it may result in hair loss, skin rashes, cracked corners of mouth (cheilitis) as well as fatigue; pregnant or breastfeeding women may require increased amounts of this vitamin.
Biotin supplements come in pill, capsule and liquid formats and the daily recommended amount is usually 30 to 100 micrograms (mcg). When taking biotin supplements it’s important to follow label instructions and use an accurate medicine dosing device instead of an ordinary spoon for measuring doses to ensure you do not take too much.
High-dose biotin supplements are not considered dangerous, but too much may cause side effects. An excess of this vitamin may cause nausea, upset stomach and vomiting as well as interfere with certain medical tests such as troponin levels (used to measure heart strain and damage) as well as thyroid and reproductive hormone tests.
Get enough biotin through eating a balanced diet rich in B vitamins. Or you could take a multivitamin that includes biotin or an exclusive biotin-containing supplement from a reliable manufacturer with stringent quality control standards; herbal products are not regulated by the FDA and have been found to contain harmful metals or drugs; store biotin supplements in a cool and dark place away from direct sunlight as sunlight can dismantle its effectiveness and become ineffective.
Dosage
Studies indicate that biotin supplements may help improve your hair, nails and skin conditions. It’s important to keep in mind that supplements aren’t subject to FDA regulation like drugs are, so no studies were performed to test for safety or effectiveness before being put on the market. Therefore it would be wiser to obtain their nutrients through natural sources wherever possible.
Biotin can be found in foods such as brewer’s yeast; cooked egg yolks; liver; sardines; nuts (almonds, walnuts and peanuts) and nut butters; cauliflower; beans; blackeye peas; soybeans; whole grains; bananas and some multivitamins and dietary supplements – however their amounts don’t add up to make up a high biotin diet.
Biotin has been proven to improve the keratin infrastructure that makes up hair, nails, and skin. Some dermatologists even speculate that Biotin may aid hair growth; though this remains inconclusive. Other dermatologists advise taking supplements such as Zinc or Omega-3 oils which support cell hydration without stimulating new growth – both of which should continue taking post laser treatments without negative side effects.
There can be various reasons for having a biotin deficiency. These may include:
Antibiotics – long-term use of antibiotics can stop your body from naturally producing biotin. Furthermore, medications used for seizure control and depression treatment may reduce vitamin B7 levels further. People living with Celiac disease or inflammatory bowel disease may have difficulty absorbing vitamins like Vitamin B7. If this is the case for you, please speak to a physician prior to taking supplements. Over-consuming vitamin B7 can be dangerous and result in biotin toxicosis – with early symptoms being abdominal pain and vomiting. High doses can also interfere with certain lab blood tests, leading to falsely increased or decreased results depending on which test it’s being conducted on. This is especially relevant when supplementing with higher dosages of the nutrient.
Side Effects
Biotin is generally considered safe for most individuals and there are no reported side effects from taking recommended dosage. To ensure you remain safe when supplementing, however, always consult with a healthcare provider first to discuss what supplements they might interact with, including any medications that you’re already taking or conditions you have.
Biotin can be obtained naturally through diet through food sources like egg yolks, fish, nuts, vegetables and certain fruits; however, to prevent biotin deficiency symptoms like hair and nail thinning and fatigue/nausea/other symptoms a well-balanced diet is key to avoid deficiencies. A deficiency may result in hair and nail loss along with fatigue/nausea or even symptoms like hair breakage/loss and nausea/vomiting.
Before starting laser hair removal, be sure to discontinue taking antibiotics as these may cause biotin deficiency in some individuals. In addition, excessive UV radiation may deplete vitamin D from your body – essential for healthy skin.
Shaving should take place either the night before or morning of your treatment session, and your technician should inform you how crucial this step is for its success. Laser beams target pigment in hair follicles to target; any residue from wax or tweezing on these will prevent their detection by the laser light beams.
Before your appointment, it is also advisable to avoid tanning with self-tanners or spray tans as this can render the skin photosensitive, potentially interfering with laser treatment results. Furthermore, hot showers, saunas and chlorine pools should also be avoided as these may damage skin tissue further. Also no creams or makeup should be applied before receiving laser therapy treatment.
Laser hair removal typically begins to yield results within weeks or months for most patients, although some people may require multiple sessions. Also important to keep in mind is that this procedure isn’t permanent – regular sessions with a trained professional are needed to achieve lasting results.
Interactions
Vitamins and dietary supplements can support healthy skin, hair and nails. But some vitamins or supplements may interact with medications or interfere with treatments. As such, it’s wise to inform your doctor of any supplements and medications you take prior to laser hair removal in order to find out which are most suitable. Your physician can suggest the ideal products and help avoid potential issues.
Biotin is an essential vitamin often added to multivitamins and supplements designed for hair, nails and skin health. It can help strengthen thinning hair and brittle fingernails by improving protein synthesis and the infrastructure of keratin – the material found in hair, skin and nails. Biotin deficiency may result from various sources, including ageing, genetics, health conditions or eating habits – so beware!
Deficits in biotin may be rare, yet still cause issues. Signs include dry, irritated skin, thinning hair and brittle nails; several medications (i.e. Isotretinoin [Accutane] and oral antibiotics can reduce biotin levels as can high doses of pantothenic acid from supplements which also may lower them).
Your diet can provide ample biotin through eating foods rich in it. Examples include eggs, fish, soy products and sweet potatoes; adults should aim to get at least 30 mcg each day as part of their recommended daily allowance of biotin; multivitamins and skin health supplements may also contain this vitamin.
There is no scientific evidence proving dietary supplements or vitamins negatively affect laser hair removal treatments. However, it’s essential to follow your physician’s instructions both prior and post procedure – such as limiting sun exposure, refraining from certain activities and using topical treatments to alleviate redness and swelling.
Some doctors advise their patients to supplement with a B-complex supplement in addition to taking individual vitamins for hair, nails and skin. B vitamins work synergistically to support metabolism activity, brain functions and nerve signaling; additionally, vitamin C serves as an antioxidant that may prevent cell damage caused by oxidative stress as well as accelerate aging.
