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Article Publish Status: FREE
Abstract Title:

An oral French maritime pine bark extract improves hair density in menopausal women: A randomized, placebo-controlled, double blind intervention study.

Abstract Source:

Health Sci Rep. 2023 Jan ;6(1):e1045. Epub 2023 Jan 6. PMID: 36620515

Abstract Author(s):

Carr Cai, Bill Zeng, Lydia Lin, Miranda Zheng, Carolina Burki, Susanne Grether-Beck, Jean Krutmann

Article Affiliation:

Carr Cai

Abstract:

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Female pattern hair loss affects females of all ages with a trend to increase after menopause. This disorder may have significant psychological impact and lead to anxiety and depression.

OBJECTIVE: In a single center, double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study, the effects of oral Pycnogenol®intake (3 × 50 mg/day for a total of 6 months) on hair density, scalp microcirculation, and a variety of skin physiological parameters was studied in Han Chinese menopausal women ( = 76) in Shanghai, China.

METHODS: Measurements were taken at the beginning and after 2 and 6 months, respectively. Hair density was determined by digital photographs and further evaluated by Trichoscan software. Transepidermal water loss was measured by a humidity sensor in a closed chamber on the skin surface. Changes in microcirculation were detected as resting flux on the scalp by reflection photoplethysmography.

RESULTS: Pycnogenol®intake significantly increased hair density by 30% and 23% after 2 and 6 months of treatment, respectively, as detected by Trichoscan®evaluation of digital photographs. Interestingly, photoplethysmography revealed that this beneficial effect was associated with a decrease in resting flux of the scalp skin, which might indicate an improvement of microcirculation. None of these effects were observed in the placebo taking group. In addition, a significant transient decrease of transepidermal water loss was observed in scalp skin under Pycnogenol,® but not placebo treatment.

CONCLUSION: Oral intake of Pycnogenol®might have the potential to reduce hair loss in postmenopausal women.

Study Type : Human Study

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