title: Effect of a nutritional supplement on hair loss in women.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Female pattern hair loss is a frequent and distressing condition.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate vs. control, the effects on hair loss of a 6-month supplementation with specific omega 3&6 and antioxidants.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and twenty healthy female subjects participated in this 6-month, randomized, comparative study. The primary endpoint was the change in hair density evaluated on standardized photographs. Secondary endpoints included changes in telogen hair percentage and diameter distribution of anagen hair (>40 µm vs. ≤40 µm) measured by trichogram. Overall changes in hair density and diameter were also measured by trichometer and by subjects' self-assessment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After 6 months of treatment, photograph assessment demonstrated a superior improvement in the supplemented group (P < 0.001). The telogen hair percentage was significantly (P < 0.001) reduced in the supplemented group. The proportion of nonvellus anagen hair (>40 µm) increased compared to the control group. The trichometer index increased in the supplemented group, while it decreased in the control group. A large majority of supplemented subjects reported a reduction in hair loss (89.9% of subjects at 6 months), as well as an improvement in hair diameter (86.1%) and hair density (87.3%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A 6-month supplementation with omega 3&6 and antioxidants acts efficiently against hair loss in improving hair density and reducing the telogen percentage and the proportion of miniaturized anagen hair. Objectively measured improvements were confirmed by the subjects' perception of efficacy.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoires innéov, R&D, Asnières/Seine, France.
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Le Floc'h
authors.forename: Ahsène
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cheniti
authors.forename: Sophie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Connétable
authors.forename: Nathalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Piccardi
authors.forename: Colombina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vincenzi
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tosti
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000505:Alopecia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6 / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006197:Hair / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6
keywords: antioxidants; female pattern hair loss; hair condition; nutritional supplement; omega 3&6