MSM and Biotin: minerals and vitamins for hair growth?
I talked about the hair cycle and shedding in a recent post. (Click HERE to read it). It got me to thinking. The anagen phase is only 2 years in some people and as long as 8 years in others ! This might explain why your hair is not growing long or why someone else’s hair just keeps growing and growing.
Anyways, I did some research to find out what could potentially prolong the anagen phase. Guess what came up on my Google search? Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM). It is a sulfur-containing compound that can be found in a few plants and is also used in some health supplements. One of its most popular uses is in joint/osteoarthritis supplements. The good news is that MSM can potentially prolong the anagen phase.
Enough babbling already.. Yesterday, I bought a supplement which contains this famous MSM: GNC Ultranourish hair. Depending on where you purchase it, it costs $ 19.99 – $22.00 for a bottle of 120 caplets and contains 500 mg of MSM per serving.
It also contains biotin and pantothenic acid (vitamin B5). Biotin is believed to assist hair growth and people that are biotin-deficient can experience hair loss (alopecia). There is no recommended dietary allowance (RDA) established for biotin but rather adequate intakes. The adequate intakes (AI) for biotin are 30 mcg for adults over 18 years and pregnant women, and 35 mcg for breast-feeding women. However, I found some supplements with as high as 7500mcg. My GNC ultranourish contains 1200 mcg per serving. I believe that’s more than adequate.
Vitamin B5 can help to increase the thickness of the hair shaft when used in conditioners so I guess it’s not bad to take it in internally. If you’ve experienced significant hair growth by using either MSM or biotin or both, please leave a comment. On the other hand, did you take any supplement containing these elements and they didn’t do anything for you? I’d also love to hear your experience. Take care.
Dr Fomsky
Related articles
- Biotin: What You Should Know About This Popular Supplement (blisstree.com)
- 5 Unusual Ways to Get Your Hair Growing Faster (bellasugar.com)
* Update 15th November, 2016: Not currently taking these supplements. I am only taking Beautifully Bamboo Skin, Hair, Nails supplements*.
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I´ll give this product a try, its very interesting what you say. I´d tried other products before and one that worked was horse shampoo, I don´t know why but it did work, my hair grew a little faster and shined more.
This article solved one of the great doubts I´ve had over the past years… how can I get my hair to grow as fast as my friends´?!?! I will give this product a try for sure, thanks for always giving us such important and reliable information. <3
You’re welcome Evelyn. I haven’t started using the vitamins yet. I’m going to get a relaxer touch-up and do a hair length check first before I start using it so that I can know if it works or not. Take care
I used to take these supplements at the beginning of my hair journey. I don’t know why I stopped, I’m thinking with all the shedding I’m having I should revisit supplementing my diet.
Hi BBF. Nice of you to drop by 🙂 It might not be a bad thing supplementing your diet. Sorry about your shedding 🙁 I hope it stops soon.
Yes, msm works! I use it as a pree poo with some oils heated up before my d.c AND MY HAIR IS GROWING LIKE HELL! LOVE IT. I BUY THE BRAND NOW FOODS.
It works even faster when you take it internally. Can get a fringe from nose to chin in 6 weeks(talking from experience) but i stopped taking it internally for a while as it was making me go toilet too much! Thats the only thing with msm
Wow! That’s good to hear. I’ll definitely update with results of taking the supplement. Thanks for passing by 🙂
You’re very welcome! Thanks for getting back to me
Thank you too
ps, can’t wait to hear your news!
Okay.
Hello, Amanda thank you for your suggestion on MSM and Biotin. I will definitely try it as well as keep you up dated. Again thank you
Angela
@Angela, Oh wow! Thats cool. I’m so glad i could of been of help. Please note i’m also known as RCIYAH on here but my real name is Amanda so don’t be confused if you see the same profile picture yet 1 minute the name is amanda and the next its Rciyah…Sometimes i’m online and get involved in discussions and then is surprised when i post my comment and the computer immediately knows its me and there’s my picture! lol..Anyway, more to the point, i’m so glad i can help. Its feels good in my heart knowing i can help others because this past year i have been so focused on MY NATURAL HAIR JOURNEY That it is amazing! I’m seeing lengths that my hair has never ever done in its life. Would love to stay connected and add you ANGELA AND DR FOMSKY AS FRIENDS…IF I CAN FIGURE OUT HOW………????!! hhaha LETS ME KNOW LADIES! x Keep in touch!
You can join sizztas and add me as a friend. Sizztas is a social media site that I started for women interested in health n beauty it’s still in the early stages though
OK, I’ll look into that. Thanks for letting me know
my Hair is doing fine but the only problem is that the sides refuse to grow though i tried jbco on the sides it did not help me that much. from all looks of things i think i will try this product too.Thanks Dr.fomsky.
You’re welcome dear
Where can i get this supplement from?
Hello1 Yes, MSM works! I was the biggest skeptic after trying tons of other things that never worked. At first, my hair became very, very thick and then my nails started growing very fast! I was a bit frustrated, because eventhough I wanted my hair to get thicker, I mainly wanted it longer. My hair was 1″ past my shoulders. Now after 6 weeks it 3″ above my bra strap!!!!! This is a great post. Thanks!
That’s great for you CharlenE!
I just saw this. Haven’t been on the site in awhile. lol
Hi Charlene,
I just found this site this morning (looking for differences between Protein and Moisturizing Conditioners). Anyway, glad I found it – I wanted to ask if you were still using the MSM and did you find that it’s still helping to keep your hair gowing and thick. My issue is thinning hair in my crown. I’ve been wearing braids for two years in my “natural hair journey” transitioning from relaxers. But, over the past year I’venoticing that my hair has gotten very thin (someone told me it could also be my blood pressure meds). Either way, I’ve been searching for anything to help thicken my hair. Looking forward to your response. Thanks!!
Hello Pam.Can I chip in one or two things? I have been using supplements with msm since last year and I don’t know if they made my hair thicker but most likely longer.
It’s true that some blood pressure medications can cause hair to thin out
Which ones are you taking?
I usually recommend essential oils to people who have thinning hair but some cannot be used in hypertensive patients.e.g rosemary oil. I think lavender and pimento oil amongst others are ok. Please confirm their safety first before you use them.
Hi Charlene,
I just found this site this morning (looking for differences between Protein and Moisturizing Conditioners). Anyway, glad I found it – I wanted to ask if you were still using the MSM and did you find that it’s still helping to keep your hair gowing and thick. My issue is thinning hair in my crown. I’ve been wearing braids for two years in my “natural hair journey” transitioning from relaxers. But, over the past year I’venoticing that my hair has gotten very thin (someone told me it could also be my blood pressure meds). Either way, I’ve been searching for anything to help thicken my hair. Looking forward to your response.
PS – I am loving this site, can’t get enough of it…Thanks!!
Hi Pam,
Dr fomsky said it right. She knows what she’s talking about. However, I still haven’t noticed any longer growth, but my hair is no longer shedding as much. So I guess that’s better than seeing it fall out lol. I’m sorry to hear about the thinning hair issues you’re having. I believe that the MSM has helped me a lot with the thickness. Garlic supplements also help with the shedding and thinning. This is a great site!
Thanks Charlene. Hugs!
I’m really encouraged.but where can I get biotin and MSM in lagos?how much is it in d Nigerian currency?pls send your replies to my mail.I need response.tanks a lot to u all.
Vitamin E – This is a fat soluble antioxidant which reverses and prevents hair loss. It stimulates growth of new blood vessels to boost blood circulation to the scalp.Best vitamins for hair growth are in most cases gotten from normal foodstuffs. Others can be gotten from supplements.
[…] MSM and Biotin: minerals and vitamins for hair growth […]
Can MSM/Biotin / Vitamin E be taken together. Thank you.
Yes they can. I believe the effect will be synergistic!
Hey ladies, I started off by using biotin and my hair is really growing…altho wen I started off with biotin dat was d beginnin of my hair journey so I know its also good hair practices. Iv heard of using msm but I then got paranoid n started to think oh lordy what if I start using it now then stop later wat if dat affects my hair growth. So anyway I’ll giv it a shot as well and ladies has any of u taken msm then stopped? If so what was the result of stopping we’re ther any changes with your hair? And how much msm do I take? Orally or applied to hair?
Hi Veronica. I started using MSM and then after awhile I stopped. … When I stopped, my hair just went to growing back the way it always had (very, very, very slow and it went into the resting phase much sooner). I’m now taking it every day. Just remember to drink a LOT of water when taking it because MSM also detoxifies your body and may cause some headaches. Don’t start off taking too much. I started off taking 500 mg and now I’ve worked my way up to 1000 mg per day. I wish us all much success with our hair growing journeys! lol!
Thanks for the response Charlene. I don’t think I need to add anything more!! 🙂
Hello Ladies. So glad I found this site. Really need all the envouragemnet I can get to go natural. Been doing a lot of research on care for natural hair and I’m glad MSM is much talked about here. I’d really like to give it a try too and I hope it works. But does anyone too experince frequent toilet visits like Amanda did? That’s almost a worry for me. I hope I get an amazing Natural Hair Journey tho. Pls I need help on how to purchase these products in Nigeria and the costs. I actually live in Ibadan. Thanks y’all
UPDATES UPDATES READ ALL ABOUT IT 😀 😀 Helooooo ! 🙂 OKAY SO I WAS STILL DOING THE MSM TREATMENT UNTIL RECENTLY. THE 2ND BIG TUB IS ALMOST FINISHED AND JUST BY LOOKING BACK AT MY HAIR PICTURES, DEFINITELY MSM IS NEEDED IN MY REGIMEN. When i have msm orally my growth spurt is ridiculoussss!! like..FAST! and grows thick. Now that i stopped having it orally for a year (due to toileting issues), and i can confirm it was he now foods brand that was doing that to “me” i am scared to take it orally again as i don’t want to go down that lane AGAIN! But what do i prefer…To go to the toilet all day every minute….or loooong fast growing hair to make people’s eyes go big…LOL! It’s a tricky one..
ONTO BIOTIN 500MCG. I have just ordered x2 more bottles *natures bounty* brand. You must always start on a slow dose to avoid breakouts. I have had x2 bottles from 2011-2012 and i came up with a theory. 1 bottle has 60 tabs and lasts 2 months. I was able to have each tab in that one bottle for 2 months (it lasts two months) without any breakouts. I then went onto bottle 2 and BREAKOUT! My theory. Have one bottle which lats two months AND THEN HAVE A BREAK FOR A MONTH and the restart the cycle 😉 This stopped my breakout. If i go over the 60 tab mark without a break, in come the spots. All in all, BIOTIN IS THE ONLY THING THAT MAKES MY SKIN LOOK GREAT AND THE ONLY THING THAT SHINES MY HAIR. No hair oil or hair aid can give me shine like biotin. I last had biotin around NOV-DEC and hasn’t had any since, and my hair is dull. I can’t wait to receive my next dose! SHINE HEAVEN! AND IT MAKES MY HAIR BLACKER! LOVE IT!! But the thought of taking it forever just to have shine is a little scary ::( NO OTHER HAIR PRODUCT SHINES MY HAIR!!
ANyways, i Hope this helps Happy growing guys 🙂 You can connect with me on youtube. Just look up RCIYAH 😉 and holler! 😀 I have a skincare playlist where my biotin features are in that playlist if you can find it 🙂
My pictures gone 🙁 ?? I’m the same Amanda above in the black dress lol 🙁 How do i fix it??
Maybe it’s a different email address you used for that response?
i think you’re right! Yay i found the right email now lol, thanks for getting back to me
Hi just bought biotin 7500mcg for my hair. I don’t know if I should be scared or I should get a lower dosage
@Ekwy: 7500 dose?!? That’s high! Mines is 5000mcg, as when I did research on biotin a couple years back, they recommend to start small to avoid serious breakouts.
can i take biotin n msm tablets together?
Yes you may!
pls where do I get msm and biotin here in Ibadan? and also at Lagos? urgent reply pls
Your best bet is Hairfinity. You can get it from konga.com
Pls my hair is seriously falling n am contemplating using biotin. Do I nid to use any oda hair regime wen taking biotin? And how do I start it?
You need to also have a healthy hair regimen in addition while taking the biotin. There is no special way of starting the biotin dearie. You can find it in any good pharmacy
Hi. If you dont mind my adding, you can also get MSM powder from Bispektra Stores. Apple Cider vinegar also lengthens and thickens hair when used as a rinse. You can get that from Addidi Stores.
Great site fomsky
Thanks Aisha!!
i want to start my hair journey with both biotin and MSM, but wont forever use the MSM but will do continue taking Biotin coz i find it more safer to use than MSM. Will dropping MSM after 2 months effect my hair growth, and how. will it still leave me with the hair i would have gained or cause my hair to fall. please advise.
Hi Lydia. I don’t think that stopping the MSM will make your hair fall out. If you are worried about shedding, try doing tea or coffee rinses. Thanks
Hey Dr. Fomsky, Thanks for the information, just one last quiz, which tea should i use, i.e green, black tea or the bamboo one?
Green or black tea is fine. Brew like 2 or 3 bags in a cup of boiled water for at least an hour.
Am very much grateful for the information, will keep u updated on my hair journey, i have thin and short hair, will start tracking it by taking pics on a monthly basis.
You are most welcome. Taking pictures is a good idea because they help us to be objective. Do keep in touch. Thanks for your comment.
i started my journey with MSM a month ago, my hair has grown so fast, the problem is that am adding weight too. I dont want to add weight, i want to start using it externally, will it give the same results of fast hair growth?
It is possible it can help increase hair growth when used externally because I have seen it in some hair conditioners. You will never know until you try. Tk care.
[…] added hair benefit for me! I have talked about the benefits of MSM for the hair. You can read that HERE and […]
[…] an old post, I have talked about the benefits of biotin for the hair. You can read that HERE. However, as someone who is acne-prone, I try as much as possible to avoid supplements containing […]