BIOTIN

larrygaga

Does anybody take vitamins here? I never have before but I got a bottle of biotin yesterday and it really sounds hit or miss. I can bend my nails backwards and they usually break before they get the chance to grow any. I know to drink lots of water or else I will break out. My bottle also has kertin in it, which I know is for your hair. 

flyingfoxes

I *just* started taking Biotin and prenatal vitamins 2 weeks ago I guess?  My hairdresser suggested the prenatal to try and get my hair healthier.  My nails are really weak and bendy too, but I think that comes from my psoriasis so I'm not sure the Biotin would help any. 

 

I read up on it and some research says that there's not really much in the way of showing Biotin helps any, and that our bodies actually recycle it, so I dunno.  The bottle was only like $3 @ Target so I figured it's worth a shot.  From reading it also doesn't look like there is much risk of overdosing on it so I don't see any harm.

theartistformerlyknownas

I've been taking a hair, skin and nails gummy vitamin for a while with biotin, A and E... and it's hard to say. My nails are usually decently strong but they peel, and that hasn't really stopped I don't think. But they're super yummy (strawberries and cream) so I nom them anyway. My nails are super strong right now because of my gel polish manicure. That shit is amazing.

pinkcow13

I take Biotin daily (for the most part) and have for years. My nails naturally tend to grow quick but sometimes they break easily. I notice that when I regularly take Biotin my nails tend to stay stronger. And I think they have helped my hair a lot. There was a point where I'm convinced my hair stopped growing. I started taking biotin religiously, and I have noticed stronger, longer hair. Maybe it's not the Biotin itself, but I still take it regardless.

levioosa

I take vitamins.  Quality is a big deal, and most of what you get at target/walmart/drug stores/costco is crap that is mostly fillers.  Since there's not as much regulation a lot of stuff that is poor quality filters through.  A smaller vitamin store will probably have the brands below.  Otherwise you could also find them online.  I get mine through my doctor, since she gives me a sweet discount.

Top of the line omega vitamins brand is Nordic Naturals.  They're even strawberry flavored so you don't get that nasty fish aftertaste.

Metagenics and Vital Nutrients are also good brands.

Apparently Melatonin is the same quality regardless of where it comes from.  I guess it's hard to fuck up?  lol.  I was kind of surprised when my doctor told me that.  It might be the same with Biotin.  I've been meaning to ask her but keep forgetting.  

If you take probiotics, Orthobiotic has one that doesn't need to be refrigerated and is good quality.  Otherwise, make sure that your probiotic has over 15 billion CFU.  Almost all that do will need to be refrigerated.  

Kauris

I've had pretty good results, my nails used to peel and break very easily. Now they are pretty strong and I can actually grow them a bit.

JCbride2015

I take Biotin on and off because I'm bad at creating new habits.  But when I'm taking it, I definitely notice that my nails are stronger.

RebeccaB88

When I took biotin, I had to stock up on razor blades. Didn't notice the difference so much on my head, but on my legs and lady parts...hoo boy. I needed to shave every day, without fail. And I still had 5 o'clock shadow.

Sugargirl1019

My nails do the same thing as yours OP. It's so depressing. I've never tried anything that has helped make them strong except for fake nails. And then those peel the layers right off my nail and I have zero nails again.

theartistformerlyknownas

Sugargirl1019 said:

My nails do the same thing as yours OP. It's so depressing. I've never tried anything that has helped make them strong except for fake nails. And then those peel the layers right off my nail and I have zero nails again.

Have you had a gel mani? That stuff cures hard as a rock so your nails will actually grow, then the acetone dissolves it off without peeling any nail off with it. Plus they don't have to be dremel-sanded before it goes on like with acrylics. Plus no chipping or drying time/smudge risk.

hellosweetie1015

RebeccaB88 said:

When I took biotin, I had to stock up on razor blades. Didn't notice the difference so much on my head, but on my legs and lady parts...hoo boy. I needed to shave every day, without fail. And I still had 5 o'clock shadow.

I already have this problem and I don't take biotin at all. My nails aren't great, and the hair on my head sucks, but if I'm wearing shorts/a short skirt/anything that doesn't cover me all the way down to my toes, I have to shave my legs in the morning, and if I'm going to do anything that evening, I have to shave before that too.

novella1186

Sorry to burst any bubbles but I work in clinical research. There's not really any existing studies that conclusively show a benefit to taking vitamins (some studies have claimed good results but the way they were conducted was quite sketchy and flawed). In fact, with most vitamins there is no benefit at all. You're wasting your money. Usually if people seem to have good results, it can be attributed to the placebo effect.

larrygaga

Well it's only like 4 dollars so I don't really care if it doesn't work. 

But I don't take vitamins because I have a good, balanced diet. Just want to see if my nails will stop breaking. 

novella1186

It's worth a shot if you feel like doing it! Who knows, maybe if the vitamins don't help you, the placebo effect will  

Win-win! 

MairePoppy

My nails were peeling and splitting and I couldn't grown them past the nail bed. I started taking 5,000mcg. daily. It took about 4-6 months for them to grow out completely from the cuticle. My nails are in perfect condition again. The hair on my head is growing faster, too, which means frequent hair coloring and touch ups.

Sugargirl1019

lolo883 said:

Sugargirl1019 said:

My nails do the same thing as yours OP. It's so depressing. I've never tried anything that has helped make them strong except for fake nails. And then those peel the layers right off my nail and I have zero nails again.

Have you had a gel mani? That stuff cures hard as a rock so your nails will actually grow, then the acetone dissolves it off without peeling any nail off with it. Plus they don't have to be dremel-sanded before it goes on like with acrylics. Plus no chipping or drying time/smudge risk.

Late to this. YES and those are what destroy my nails! Its crazy. Shellac or gel polish.. The acetone doesn't get them off as easily as you'd like.. They still peel my nail layer with it.

KnightsNurse

Maybe this is the placebo effect talking, but I swear up and down on biotin and even my fiancé says he notices a difference in the look, feel and length of my hair. My hair usually grows freakishly slow, but I've taken biotin on and off for about 2 years now and it really seems like it grows way faster when I'm on it. I went from shoulder blade length to mid back in 3-4 months last spring, which is unheard of for me. I notice my nails growing/getting stronger too...I thought it was a huge scam when I bought my first bottle (I went with the "It's only $4" mentality too), but it seems to work for me!

theartistformerlyknownas

Sugargirl1019 said:

lolo883 said:

Sugargirl1019 said:

My nails do the same thing as yours OP. It's so depressing. I've never tried anything that has helped make them strong except for fake nails. And then those peel the layers right off my nail and I have zero nails again.

Have you had a gel mani? That stuff cures hard as a rock so your nails will actually grow, then the acetone dissolves it off without peeling any nail off with it. Plus they don't have to be dremel-sanded before it goes on like with acrylics. Plus no chipping or drying time/smudge risk.

Late to this. YES and those are what destroy my nails! Its crazy. Shellac or gel polish.. The acetone doesn't get them off as easily as you'd like.. They still peel my nail layer with it.

Oh man! That sucks. Actually...I did have one nail tech use that little shovel scraper thing and destroyed my nails. But when I take it off at home it just comes right off with no scraping/peeling necessary.