My Biotin Review (1st Time User) | Hair Care

Hey Cupcakes,

At the beginning of the year I decided that I would be more open minded to trying new hair, skin and beauty products even to trying new supplements. During the month of March I started using Biotin. I purchased Puritan's Pride Premium Super Biotin 5000 mcg softgels and... I had quite an experience.

The following pictures show the bottle of Biotin that I purchased. :)

It was for about $65 to $85 TT @ the pharmacy in Hilo St. Augustine Trinidad

(now called Massy Stores)

The softgels are tiny and I've used about 20 of the 60 that comes in the bottle.

Skipping a few days, I can safely say that I used the Biotin for a month.

My purchase of the Biotin was mostly out of curiosity; to really see what all the rave was about. I also was glad to purchase it instead of my previous choice of, over-the-counter Hair, Skin & Nails supplement (which I later learnt also contains Biotin but I had not used this for almost a year). The pharmacist said that Biotin would help my skin and nails also, not just my hair and that there was no need to purchase two supplements that do the same thing. So I purchased it and went on my merry way!!

I monitored my skin and my hair while using the Biotin and I also did not make any changes to my diet. (For those who do not know, I'm a Pescetarian/Lacto-ovo Vegetarian. I eat fish but not the flesh of other animals and I also occasionally use dairy products). When I purchased the Biotin I also purchased new skincare products but I used my regular hair care products. The skincare products I used were the Neutrogena Pore Refining Cleanser & Toner and their Oil-Free SPF 15 Moisturizer. I've managed to use both the cleanser and the toner in its entirety with lots of the moisturizer to spare. These products worked as expected and I did not see any major changes to my skin after topical application that would indicate a bad/allergic reaction to them.

Taking Biotin was the only irregularity that occurred. I monitored my hair and skin, and taking a lot of selfies helped me to see any changes that may have happened.

The following is a Photo Timeline of my skin (mainly) and my hair after using Biotin.
Note: It can sometimes take several months for a supplement to leave your system. The Disadvantages or Advantages of it can still take place up to about 6 months after so I thought it necessary to share my pictures with you.

In January & February, Before I started using Biotin, my Face was smooth and my hair healthy from a fresh cut in December and lots of rest in a protective style.

At the beginning of March I started using Biotin and continued to do so in April.

A few pimples can be seen on my face but nothing

I was alarmed by and my makeup still applied smoothly.

At the beginning of April, it was strange that I didn't even notice that my hair (particularly the sides and the back) was breaking very low... I really didn't study the picture that I took of the side/back until a friend asked if I ever shaved the back/sides of my head!!! LOL!!! Breakage is visible here!

By Mid-Month April I was well aware of the breakage that occurred/was occurring. I first thought it was because of how I chose to style my hair around this time. I loved putting it up in one and letting my puffy twists out in all its glory. I thought that the pressure on the hair tie was breaking it but it was just not adding up because I never would put it up tight or leave it like this for too long... the brakeage point also was not where the hair tie would be, it was in fact lower.

At the same time my skin was all kinds of bad! The breakouts were huge and appeared to want to takeover my cheeks; right under my eyes. When one finally lived out its term there would be four more to take its place...

I made the decision to put my hair in a manageable protective style while I contemplated my next move. Before braiding, the Hairstylist evaluated my hair and told me where the damage was. She also noted that my case was irregular and that she had not heard of/seen such breakage before. When braiding, she avoided the brakeage areas, leaving them without braiding hair, for me to moisturize and massage daily.

Before you ask... I must say that I was unable to hold my braids up in buns or in any style that would show the breakage. That was fine with me since the hairstylist was extremely talented and the braids just looked perfect on their own with no styling but her weaving design at the back.

I must also say that the braids did not cause further damage to my hair.

By Mid-Month May the Breakouts on my cheeks were even harder to conceal and practically were the center of attention, A.K.A, focal point! Haha!

By Mid-Month June I had already began real work on my breakouts, Applying facial masks and Homemade Skin Treatments and I had also reintroduced the faithful Oil Cleansing Method into regimen. I had stopped using it only because of an oil shortage and the feeling to 'change it up' but I've come to realize once again that if something works for me, it should never be changed!

Though I tried different skin treatments, I found that whiteheads and blackheads were making their way to my forehead, my eyebrows and the sides of my face.

Well it was finally time to take the braids out and decide what's to be done... and yes... as the pictures clearly show, I decided to cut my hair. I not only cut my hair but I chose a uniqe style that I never before had...
The salon experience was extraordinary. The Hairstylist who I chose for my cut didn't just let me sit on her chair and did what she wanted! No!!
She spent so much time in consultation with me asking me questions about my hair care routine, the products I use, my habits, my diet, my water intake, what could have caused the breakage besides my Biotin-Blame, my 'cut' decision, how I'd maintain it, my styling ability, hair dyeing, EVERYTHING!! When she began the process of cutting she did it in steps asking me how I felt about the length.
She not only cut my hair, she coloured and styled it as well...
I had my first Flexi Rod style done by her!!!
The entire appointment took 5 great hours. :)
I have absolutely no regrets besides deciding to take the Biotin supplement.
Will I ever finish the bottle or take Biotin again? Well that's up to the spontaneity in me... for now... right now as I'm still working on my breakouts and enjoying my new hairstyle, I want no part of that blue bottle containing those tiny softgels!!