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Collagen

Considering Supplements for Skin, Hair, and Nail Health: Risks and Benefits

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

When it comes to addressing skin, hair, and nail concerns, nutritional supplements like biotin, collagen, and probiotics are often promoted as a convenient solution. However, dermatologists warn that their effectiveness and safety can be inconsistent and unreliable. A board-certified dermatologist, Lauren N. Taglia, MD, FAAD, PhD, emphasizes the importance of carefully weighing the risks and benefits before adding these supplements to one's regimen.

Key Takeaways:

  • Biotin supplements can lead to inaccurate lab results, particularly for hormone tests like thyroid levels, and should only be taken if a biotin deficiency is present.
  • Consuming collagen through food or supplements may improve skin appearance, joint pain, and possibly hair and nail strength, but more research is needed.
  • Most collagen supplements lack third-party verification and do not have clear ingredient information, which can lead to contamination by heavy metals like mercury.
  • Probiotics can enhance skin moisture and smoothness, improve common skin conditions like atopic dermatitis, and decrease skin sensitivity, but may have adverse side effects like an upset stomach and gas.
  • Taking extremely large doses of a vitamin can have harmful effects on the body, and it's best to get essential vitamins and nutrients through a well-balanced diet.

Statistics:

  • 21,000: The number of physicians worldwide who are members of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).
  • 1938: The year the American Academy of Dermatology was founded.
  • 88-100%: The percentage of adverse effects from probiotics that are mild and short-lived.
  • 65-85%: The percentage of biotin supplements that can lead to inaccurate lab results.

Sources:

  • American Academy of Dermatology, (founder), source of the article.
  • American Academy of Dermatology, ".About the AAD".
  • "Lauren N. Taglia, MD, FAAD, PhD, board-certified dermatologist, AAD member.
  • Rosemont, Ill., the location of the American Academy of Dermatology headquarters.

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