10/07/2022

Biotin for Skin Health?

Biotin has been promoted for reducing wrinkles, but does clinical research support this? Find out in the Biotin (B-7) section of our B Vitamin Supplements Review, which also discusses the evidence for biotin for treating brittle nails and hair loss.

Also, see our CL Answer about supplements for reducing wrinkles and tightening the skin.

12/05/2017

Biotin Interference With Vitamin D Test

Last week we reported that high doses of biotin (found in B complexes and hair and nail supplements) can interfere with certain blood tests. A study recently showed that biotin can also artificially inflate a test for vitamin D. Get the details in the "Biotin" section of the B Vitamin Supplements Review >>

6/02/2023

Biotin Caution With Lab & At-Home Tests

High doses of biotin from supplements can interfere with a wide range of laboratory and at-home tests, including those for pregnancy, doping, COVID, and heart attacks. Get the details in the Biotin section of our B Vitamin Supplements Review.

Also see: Which vitamins and supplements should be stopped before getting blood work and laboratory tests?

9/29/2023

Nail Growth

Does biotin help nails to grow faster? Find out what research suggests, and also learn which topical treatment for hair growth may help nails to grow, in the Biotin section of our B Vitamin Supplements Review, which includes our Top Picks for biotin and other B vitamins.

11/28/2017

Growing Concern with Biotin Causing False Lab Results

Biotin (a B vitamin found in B-complex and hair and nail supplements) can interfere with laboratory results resulting in the missed diagnosis or misdiagnosis of cardiovascular and hormonal conditions, such as Graves' disease (a form of hyperthyroidism). Physicians and lab personnel may be unaware of this interference. For details, see the "Biotin" section of the B Vitamins Review >>

2/29/2020

Biotin May Skew Many Blood Tests

If you take a high-dose biotin supplement, be aware of the growing list of blood tests with which it may interfere. See the latest information in the Biotin section of the B Vitamin Supplements Review.

8/20/2016

Biotin Caution

Very high-doses of biotin (vitamin B-7) can cause misleading laboratory results and lead to unnecessary antithyroid treatment, according to a new report. For details, see the Biotin section of the B Vitamins Supplements Review >>

6/20/2017

Warning: Biotin Can Affect Thyroid Tests

Vitamins that contain megadoses of biotin (vitamin B7) can affect thyroid tests, according to recent studies. This can lead to an incorrect diagnosis of hyperthyroidism and improper treatment. See the "Biotin" section of the B Vitamin Supplements Review >>

5/22/2018

Hair & Nail Supplements Can Skew Lab Tests

There are reports of high-dose biotin (common in "hair and nail" supplements) causing false readings on blood tests. Be sure to tell your doctor if you're taking high-dose biotin. Get the details in the Biotin section of the B Vitamin Supplements Review.

8/28/2021

Biotin Interference With COVID Tests

Be aware that taking biotin (vitamin B-7) may interfere with COVID-19 antibody tests. Learn which tests are affected. Also find out about other laboratory tests (including thyroid and cardiovascular tests) that can be affected by biotin.

1/07/2020

Eggshell Membrane for Hair, Skin, Nails?

Does supplementing with eggshell membrane (which contains collagen and elastin) improve hair, skin, or nails? See what a recent study found in the What It Does section of the Collagen Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks among collagen supplements.

9/30/2022

Does MSM Help Hair and Nails?

Find out if research supports MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) for improving nails or hair in the MSM section of our Joint Health Supplements Review.

Also see our article about biotin and other supplements for hair and nails.

10/05/2021

Silica for Dental Implant Inflammation?

Can a form of silica typically promoted for hair, skin, nail and bone health also help reduce inflammation and bone loss around dental implants? See what a recent study found in our updated article about Silica Supplements.

11/07/2023

Does fatty15 work?

Does pentadecanoic acid (C15:0 fatty acid), found in the supplement fatty15, slow aging, or improve metabolism, sleep, hair or nails? Find out in our new article about pentadecanoic acid.

1/05/2024

Getting C15:0 Fatty Acid from Food?

Can a person get a clinically relevant dose of C15:0 fatty acid (in the supplement fatty15 promoted for hair, nails, sleep and aging) from food? Find out in the Getting C15:0 fatty acid from food section of our article about C15:0 fatty acid.

11/04/2022

Colloidal Silver & Discoloration

Regular ingestion of colloidal silver can cause a permanent change in skin color and, as recently reported, discoloration of nails. Learn more in our article about colloidal silver.

1/28/2022

Symptoms of Vitamin A Deficiency

Although not common, be aware of signs of vitamin A deficiency involving the eyes, skin, and nails, as exemplified by a recent case. Get the details (including medical conditions which can cause it) in the What It Does section of our Vitamin A Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks among vitamin A supplements.

2/06/2025

MCT Oil for Dandruff?

Is there evidence that applying medium chain triglyceride (MCT) oil to the scalp reduces dandruff? Find out in the Skin and hair section of our Coconut Oil and Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCT) Oil Review, which includes our Top Picks among products.

1/12/2024

How to Take C15:0 Fatty Acid

Should C15:0 fatty acid (in fatty15, which is promoted for improving hair, skin, and sleep and for slowing aging) be taken on an empty stomach or with food? Find out in the How to take section of our article about C15:0 fatty acid.

Also, learn whether C15:0 fatty acid is "essential," as some claim.

9/29/2023

Allergic Reaction to Minoxidil

Some people have allergic skin reactions to minoxidil liquid. Learn why and how to avoid it in our article about hair growth.

11/04/2020

Symptoms of Zinc Deficiency

Zinc deficiency can cause a wide range of problems involving the skin, hair, mouth, and immune system. A recent report showed that it can also cause an eczema-like rash. Get the details and learn about the symptoms of zinc deficiency in the What It Is section of our Zinc Supplements and Lozenges Review. Also see our Top Picks for zinc supplements and lozenges.

1/11/2022

Supplement for Thinning Hair?

A reader asked if taking Hair La Vie Clinical Formula can help with thinning hair. Find out in our updated article about Supplements for Hair Loss.

12/06/2022

Hair Supplement Benefits?

Does research support the use of hair supplements such as Forti5, Lambdapil, or Nourkrin for treating thinning of hair? Find out in our updated CL Answer about supplements, topicals and medications for hair.

10/21/2022

D-mannose for Gray Hair?

In response to our article Can any supplements reverse gray hair?, a CL member commented that their white hair began growing black roots after taking D-Mannose. Is there evidence that D-Mannose can affect hair color? See our response.

4/09/2024

Vegamour for Hair?

Vegamour GRO Hair Serum is marketed for making hair thicker and fuller but is there any clinical evidence to support this claim? Find out in our article about supplements for hair.

4/19/2024

Chitosan for Hair?

Can applying chitosan to hair help it grow? Find out what research suggests in our article about supplements for hair.

Also, find out which antidepressants are most and least likely to be associated with loss of hair.

1/13/2023

Blackseed Oil for Hair?

Can supplementing with black seed oil, or applying it to the scalp, increase hair thickness and slow shedding of hair? Find out in our updated article about supplements for hair.

1/27/2023

Fish Oil & Hair

A diet extremely high in fish oil caused hair loss in a recent study in mice. Should this be a concern for people? Find out in the Concerns and Cautions section of our Fish Oil Supplements Review, which includes our Top Picks for fish oil.

Also see: Do hair supplements, such as Viviscal, Hair La Vie, and Nutrafol, or topical essential oils work?

7/28/2023

Amla for Hair?

Find out if taking amla syrup boosted hair growth in women losing hair in the Health Benefits section of our article about amla.

Also see our article about supplements for hair.

8/04/2023

Black Currant or Caffeine for Hair?

Does black currant seed oil, or its constituent gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), increase hair growth? Find out what research suggests in the GLA section of our ALA and GLA Supplements Review, which includes our Top Pick for black currant seed oil.

Also find out if applying caffeine to the scalp increases hair growth and reduces shedding in our article about supplements and topicals for hair.

8/22/2023

Selenium & Hair

Although an essential nutrient, very high intake of selenium can cause hair to fall out, and a recent case report highlighted the need to consider how much selenium one gets from foods before supplementing with selenium. Get the details in the Concerns and Cautions section of our Selenium Supplements Review.

Also see our article about hair growth to find out which other supplements can cause hair to fall out.

1/09/2025

Supplements for Hair

Find out if HUM Hair Strong Gummies or Nutrafol Men increased hair growth in recent studies. This, and more, is in our article about supplements for hair.

8/15/2024

Nutrafol Vegan for Women’s Hair Growth?

Did taking Nutrafol Women's Vegan formula increase hair growth and reduce hair shedding? See what a recent study found in our article about supplements for hair.

8/23/2022

Oral Minoxidil for Hair?

Use of minoxidil as an oral treatment for hair growth is gaining in popularity - although it's not an FDA approved use of this drug. Learn if it works, dosage, and side effects in our CL Answer about supplements and topical treatments for hair.

7/01/2022

Shampoo for Hair Growth?

Is there evidence that shampoos like d'or Hair Thinning Therapy Shampoo or Nioxin really work? Find out in our updated CL Answer about supplements and topical treatments for hair.

6/01/2022

Help for Hair Growth?

Is there evidence that applying onion juice, castor oil, rice water, or aloe vera to the scalp aids in hair growth? We’ve added information about these approaches to our article about Supplements for Hair.

6/03/2022

Nutrafol for Hair?

Is Nutrafol beneficial for hair growth? Get the details in our article about Supplements for Hair.

10/28/2022

He Shou Wu (Fo-Ti) for Darkening Gray Hair?

Two CL members reported reversing their gray hair by supplementing with Polygonum (He Shou Wu or fo-ti). See the evidence, as well as risks, for this herb in our article about supplements for gray hair.

10/28/2022

Medications & Losing Hair

A CL Member asked if lamotrigine, prescribed for seizures and bipolar disorder, can cause hair to fall out. The answer is yes -- it is among a number medications and supplements that can affect hair growth.

12/16/2022

Colostrum for Hair?

Can taking bovine colostrum (such as Armra Colostrum) promote the growth of hair? Find out what research suggests in our updated CL Answer about supplements for hair.

Also see our CL Answer about health benefits of bovine colostrum.

11/08/2022

L-lysine For Hair?

Can supplementing with L-lysine help slow or reverse hair shedding? Find out what research suggests and who might benefit in our updated CL Answer about supplements for hair.

10/18/2022

Can any supplements reverse gray hair?

Gray hair affects nearly 75% of men and women between the ages of 45 and 65. Find out if there are supplements that can help in our new article: Can any supplements reverse gray hair?

10/07/2022

Topical Dutasteride for Hair Loss?

Is the prostate drug dutasteride effective for treating loss of hair when given topically, like minoxidil? Find out in our article about Treatments for Hair.

8/30/2022

Getting Minoxidil for Hair

A CL Member asked how to get low-dose minoxidil (for hair growth), since it usually comes in higher-dose tablets. Find out in our article about supplements and treatments for hair.

8/18/2023

Blood Pressure Meds & Hair

Be aware that different types of blood pressure medication have different effects on hair growth. Get the details in our article about hair growth.

9/20/2022

Medications & Losing Hair

We’ve updated our article about supplements for hair to include a list of medications that may cause hair to fall out. Also find out which vitamin and mineral deficiencies can also cause this problem.

5/05/2023

Melatonin for Hair?

Does applying melatonin to the scalp help prevent hair from falling out? Find out what research suggests in the Other Uses section of our Melatonin Supplements Review, which includes our Top Picks among melatonin supplements.

Also see our article about supplements for hair.

5/19/2023

NourishVita for Hair?

Does NourishVita Hair, Lash, & Brow Growth Supplement work? Find out in our article about supplements for hair.

4/23/2024

Hair Devices & Safety

Can low-level light therapy (LLLT) hair devices such as Theradome or Capillus cause eye damage? Find out in our article about hair supplements and devices.

4/02/2024

Laser Caps for Hair?

Do low-light laser caps and helmets such as Capillus and Theradome really help to grow hair? Find out in our article about supplements for hair.

11/14/2023

Supplement for Hair?

Does supplementing with Ceramosides, a product that contains ceramides and other sphingolipids, slow loss of hair among women? Find out what a recent study showed in our article about supplements for hair.

11/17/2023

Saw Palmetto for Hair?

Does taking saw palmetto orally or applying it to the scalp help reduce hair shedding in men and women? Find out what a recent study found in the Saw Palmetto section of our Prostate Supplements Review.

Also see our article about supplements and shampoos for hair.

8/12/2024

Hair Growth for Women: Minoxidil vs Finasteride

Which of these treatments was most effective for hair growth among postmenopausal women? See what a recent study found in our article about supplements and treatments for hair.

11/11/2024

Oils and Lotions for Hair?

Does applying oils or lotions help prevent loss of hair? We’ve added information about this to our in-depth article about supplements for hair.

11/21/2024

Nutrafol Hair Supplement Linked with Liver Injury

Nutrafol, a line of supplements promoted for hair growth, was linked with liver injury in a recent case report. Get the details in our article about supplements for hair.

2/18/2025

Supplement or Topicals to Reverse Gray Hair?

"Don’t Die" promotor, Bryan Johnson, uses two topical hair formulas to "reverse" graying. But do they really work? Get our take on it in our article: Can any supplements or topicals reverse gray hair?

3/25/2017

Right Dose of Vitamin D to Reduce Falls

As we've reported in the past, vitamin D can reduce falls in older people, but too much can increase falls. A new study helps nail down the ideal dose and blood level to reduce falls. For details, see the "What It Does" section of the Vitamin D Supplements Review >>

8/10/2021

Pulse Oximeter Accuracy

Can you get an accurate pulse oximeter measurement while wearing nail polish?

Also learn how to get the most accurate reading with pulse oximeters and see our choice for best home pulse oximeter.

5/25/2021

Does Creatine Cause Hair Loss?

Find out if creatine supplements cause hair loss. See the Concerns and Cautions section of our Muscle & Workout Supplements Review. Also, see our Top Picks for creatine supplements.

4/14/2023

Nutrafol Complaint

A federal complaint was recently filed charging that Nutrafol hair supplements are not “clinically proven,” as advertised, and alleging misleading online reviews. Get the details in our updated article about supplements for hair.

4/12/2024

Oral vs. Topical Minoxidil

How does taking low-dose minoxidil as a pill compare with topical minoxidil for hair growth? See what a recent study found in our article about supplements and treatments for hair.

4/22/2022

Rosemary for Hair Loss?

Does applying rosemary oil to the scalp reverse male pattern baldness? Find out what research shows in our updated answer about hair loss supplements.

3/01/2022

COVID-19 and Hair Loss?

Can COVID-19 cause hair loss? Find out in How to You Take Care of Yourself After You’ve Had COVID-19.

1/13/2025

Viviscal and Liver Injury?

A CL member who took the hair growth supplement Viviscal attributed liver damage to the product. Find out if there have been similar reports, or ingredients in Viviscal linked with liver injury, in our article about supplements for hair.

10/28/2024

Alopecia Areata

Alopecia areata is a type of patchy hair loss caused by autoimmune disease. Find out in our article about supplements for hair if any of the following supplements or topicals are recommended for this condition:

• Ginseng
• Glycyrrhizin
• Peony
• Onion
• Poison primrose
• Squill

3/29/2017

Vitamin E/Selenium & Alzheimer's

A long-term study among men in the U.S. found that giving high doses of vitamin E and/or selenium did not significantly affect their risk of developing dementia. The study was part of a larger study which found that these supplements increased the risk of prostate cancer, type 2 diabetes, hair loss, and dermatitis. For details, see the "Alzheimer's disease/dementia" section of the Selenium Supplements Review >>

3/21/2017

Problem With Aloe Gel

We received a report from a consumer who used a popular aloe gel on her hair, with disastrous results. The product had failed our tests for aloe and listed as "Not Approved" in our Review. For details, see the Updates near the top of the Aloe Liquids, Gels and Supplements Review >>

8/26/2022

Hair Growth Compared

We received and answered the following questions this week:

• Is low-dose minoxidil more effective than finasteride (Propecia)?
• How does pumpkin seed oil compare to minoxidil?

9/16/2022

A Caution with Low-dose Minoxidil

Although rare, be aware that serious side effects due to pharmacy errors have been reported with low-dose oral minoxidil preparations. Get the details in the How to get low-dose oral minoxidil section of our CL Answer about supplements for hair.

10/14/2022

Side Effect of Low-Dose Oral Minoxidil

A case of severe fluid buildup was recently reported in a woman taking low-dose minoxidil. Get the details, and learn what some doctors now recommend when starting low-dose oral minoxidil treatment in our article about hair treatments.

7/29/2024

Saving on Minoxidil for Women

Did you know that women often pay more than men for topical minoxidil products? Learn why and how to avoid this in our article about products for hair growth.

4/05/2024

Swelling from Minoxidil

Even when used topically, minoxidil may cause swelling of the hands and feet. Learn the factors that increase this risk, in our article about supplements and other treatment options for supplements and other treatment options for hair growth.

12/02/2024

When to Use Minoxidil

When is it better to take minoxidil (for hair) orally rather than topically, and when is it worse? See the latest recommendations.