BioSil or other skin, hair, nails supplement? Results?
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free skin care · Mon Apr 02, 2012 6:13 am

I am on the fence about what (if anything) to try for my thinning hair and ridged nails. With the lovely onset of menopause (just about done, I think!) my hair started thinning out and my nails became all ridged and thin... I eat well,(lots of veggies and fruit and fish at least twice a week, no sweets, etc.) exercise, and currently for supplements I take a New Chapter Women over 40 and a good Omega 3...

Test results showed normal thyroid so my doc is just chalking it up to menopause. Joy. Confused

I was looking into a hair/skin/nails supplement and wanted to get your recommendations - I can't take anything with MSM - it doesn't agree with me - but I'm looking at various liquid formulas and then ran across BioSil which seems to get good reviews...

Any other recommendations that helped with hair/skin/nails?

I've also taken to massaging my scalp...have used coconut oil...oy...the list goes on.

Thanks!

xoMaria

free skin care · Mon Apr 02, 2012 7:21 am

I've used Biosil in the past, and I broke out in a rash on my chest from it. But my skin is sensitive, so that may not happen to you.

I had been taking 5000 mcg of Biotin daily for 40 days and did not notice much difference in my hair and nails. But, after doing more searching around about biotin, I found that some women that were not getting results with 5000 mcg upped their dosage to 10,000 mcg (it's a water soluble), taking 5000 mcg in the morning and another 5000 mcg in the evening, and finally got results. I've only upped the dosage about 3 weeks ago, but I'm already seeing new little hair sprouts on top on my head. It'll take a few months before I can see a more measureable difference and tell if it is indeed working.

I have yet to see any difference in my nails yet.

free skin care · Mon Apr 02, 2012 8:49 am

sandooch wrote:

I've only upped the dosage about 3 weeks ago, but I'm already seeing new little hair sprouts on top on my head. It'll take a few months before I can see a more measureable difference and tell if it is indeed working.

Sandooch,

Where you previously having problems with hair loss? What made you take Biotin?

free skin care · Mon Apr 02, 2012 9:41 am

Yes, I'm in perimenopause and my hair has been becoming especially thin and sparse looking within the past couple of years. My mother, 72, started to notice her hair thinning when she was about 10 years OLDER than me. And she is about ready to start wearing a wig because her scalp really shows now.

I am terrified of getting to that point, so I am hoping that the Biotin will help me regain the hair I am losing and hopefully add some thickness to the hair I already have.

Here is a great thread from lowcarbfriends.com that sings the praises of Biotin for hairloss prevention and nail strength: http://www.lowcarbfriends.com/bbs/vitamins-supplements/503041-cheri-alliecat-i-just-started-biotin.html

free skin care · Mon Apr 02, 2012 11:40 am

Sandooch - is there a better brand of Biotin that you recommend? Thank you so much for your response by the by... I get so confused with so many supplements out there and try to take as few as possible but really want to see positive effects! Smile

Maria

free skin care · Mon Apr 02, 2012 1:33 pm

Sandooch,

I'm really sorry to hear that. I read somewhere that taking Biotin with a B-complex makes it more effective. Have you tried purchasing a b-complex to take with the biotin? Maybe you might get better results that way.

Alternatively, you could try using a B-complex that is high in biotin. (Most b-complexes usually don't have a lot of biotin) Here's two that I know:

http://www.amazon.com/B-100-Plus-120-Veg-Caps/dp/B001BO9Y5Q/ref=sr_1_2?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1333398849&sr=1-2

http://www.amazon.com/Douglas-Laboratories-Ultra-B-Complex-Tablets/dp/B003FIQ7GA/ref=sr_1_13?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1333398561&sr=1-13

I've used Douglas's B complex. It's an okay product; however, I no longer take hair, skin, and nails supplements. Additionally, I would advise just taking one of Our Health Co-op's B complex tablets a day, although the label says to take two.

free skin care · Mon Apr 02, 2012 1:56 pm

I keep hearing about Biosil and breakouts though clearly it doesn't effect most that way. I use NeoCell Collagen which has tons of good reviews. Collagen starts leaving the body in our 20's leading to sagging, wrinkles and thinner skin.

http://www.iherb.com/Neocell-Super-Collagen-Type-1-3-7-oz-198-g/6074

free skin care · Mon Apr 02, 2012 2:59 pm

Wow - the collagen sounds really good too! I have no idea which one to go with! There are excellent reviews for both! Smile

Maria

free skin care · Mon Apr 02, 2012 3:08 pm

I will second the NeoCell Collagen. I love that stuff, been taking it since last year along with MSM and Hyaluronic Acid. They all work great together and wouldn't go without. My hair is majorly soft and doesn't split nearly as much as it used to.

free skin care · Mon Apr 02, 2012 3:17 pm

Thank you for this advice, Veronica. The multi I take is Nature's Way Alive for Women. It has more B vitamins than other multis I've found, so I don't think I am deficient in them.

Maria, I take the NOW brand Biotin but I don't think it really matters which brand you take.

As far as being confused about whether to take either biotin or collagen, if it were me, I'd first go with the least expensive (yet safe) option and give it a good 3 months before deciding if it works for you or not.

free skin care · Mon Apr 02, 2012 8:39 pm

I wonder if it would be overkill to take the BioSil - or Biotin one or the other with the Neocell...

Sandooch, you are right, I should go with the most cost effective product - it's just that all of the following sound really intriguing to me! Smile

I have no control! ha ha

Trying to narrow:

BioSil
Biotin
NeoCell
Futurebiotics Hair, Skin, Nails

I will probably order a hyularonic supplement too...those aren't too expensive.

The positive reviews are so encouraging. I can't wait to try at least one of them!

Thanks for everyone's help!

Maria

free skin care · Fri Apr 20, 2012 8:10 pm

7Destiny wrote:

I keep hearing about Biosil and breakouts though clearly it doesn't effect most that way. I use NeoCell Collagen which has tons of good reviews. Collagen starts leaving the body in our 20's leading to sagging, wrinkles and thinner skin.

http://www.iherb.com/Neocell-Super-Collagen-Type-1-3-7-oz-198-g/6074

I was wondering if anyone else had good results with NeoCell Collagen? I am no expert, but there is an article on BFT that claims a collagen supplement is a waste of money:
http://barefacedtruth.com/2012/04/11/enter-the-matrix-part-1-collagen/

Here's a quote from Dr. George's article on BFT:

Quote:

Oral collagen supplementation is similarly futile is impacting dermal collagen production. Digestion of protein results in absorption of amino acids, not complex protein structures such as collagen. Studies have shown there may be improved wound healing with amino acid supplementation but there must be a significant dietary deficiency of protein to see any effect. That is very uncommon in our advanced society with its abundance of food of all types. As far as collagen supplement go, save your money.

Any thoughts on this? Has anyone come across studies that prove or disprove the claims above?

free skin care · Fri Apr 20, 2012 9:10 pm

fitgineer wrote:

7Destiny wrote:

I keep hearing about Biosil and breakouts though clearly it doesn't effect most that way. I use NeoCell Collagen which has tons of good reviews. Collagen starts leaving the body in our 20's leading to sagging, wrinkles and thinner skin.

http://www.iherb.com/Neocell-Super-Collagen-Type-1-3-7-oz-198-g/6074

I was wondering if anyone else had good results with NeoCell Collagen? I am no expert, but there is an article on BFT that claims a collagen supplement is a waste of money:
http://barefacedtruth.com/2012/04/11/enter-the-matrix-part-1-collagen/

Here's a quote from Dr. George's article on BFT:

Quote:

Oral collagen supplementation is similarly futile is impacting dermal collagen production. Digestion of protein results in absorption of amino acids, not complex protein structures such as collagen. Studies have shown there may be improved wound healing with amino acid supplementation but there must be a significant dietary deficiency of protein to see any effect. That is very uncommon in our advanced society with its abundance of food of all types. As far as collagen supplement go, save your money.

Any thoughts on this? Has anyone come across studies that prove or disprove the claims above?

I haven't looked for studies but have heard (doctors) and read that Collagen is very fragile and our stomach acid destroys it when used as a supplement.

I know a lot swear by it and this is not the popular view, but I tend to believe it is true.

free skin care · Fri Apr 20, 2012 9:20 pm

Neocell collagen is hydrolized and does absorb. Even bones show measurable strengthening within a couple of weeks. There has been a huge rave for collagen in Asia..and much more expensive. I tried it when Oprah had a show on the trend. NeoCell was a much less expensive option (ten dollars vs $175) and people see a result. Lots of reviews

http://www.iherb.com/Neocell-Super-Collagen-Type-1-3-7-oz-198-g/6074

free skin care · Sat Apr 21, 2012 7:32 am

7Destiny wrote:

Neocell collagen is hydrolized and does absorb. Even bones show measurable strengthening within a couple of weeks. There has been a huge rave for collagen in Asia..and much more expensive. I tried it when Oprah had a show on the trend. NeoCell was a much less expensive option (ten dollars vs $175) and people see a result. Lots of reviews

http://www.iherb.com/Neocell-Super-Collagen-Type-1-3-7-oz-198-g/6074

Agreed on hydrolized Collagen, but for me personally I am not fond of the processing method used. So that is something each individual must weigh for themselves and then make an educated choice. Smile

Hydrolyzed collagen is produced from collagen found in the bones, skin, and connective tissue of animals such as cattle, fish, horses, pigs, and rabbits. The process of hydrolysis involves breaking down the molecular bonds between individual collagen strands using heat and either acid or alkali solutions. Typically, with skin sourced collagen, hides are put in a lime slurry pit for up to 3 months, loosening collagen bonds; the hides are then washed to remove lime, and the collagen extracted in boiling water. The extracted collagen is evaporator concentrated, desiccated with drum driers, and pulverized. [1]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrolyzed_collagen

free skin care · Sun Apr 22, 2012 3:57 am

I have had great success with NeoCell Collagen. The most impressive results have been my hair. I take NecCell, along with Hyaluronic Acid and MSM and there was a time I took out the NeoCell and still took the MSM and HA...I definitely noticed my hair wasn't as soft and didn't look as good as when I had NeoCell in the mix.

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