51252 Oral supplementation with L-Cystine, Serenoa repens, Pumpkin seed oil and Pygeum africanum in Chronic Telogen Effluvium and Androgenetic Alopecia: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical study

Background: Chronic Telogen Effluvium and Androgenetic Alopecia can be a psychologically stressful condition. Dietary insufficiency of essential micronutrients has been associated with hair health and hair loss. Objective: The aim of this clinical trial was to investigate the safety and efficacy of an oral supplement containing L‐Cystine, Serenoa repens, Pumpkin seed oil, Pygeum africanum, vitamins and micronutrients in Chronic Telogen Effluvium and Androgenetic Alopecia. Methods: Eighty patients, both female and male, aged 18‐60 years with Chronic Telogen Effluvium or Androgenic Alopecia were randomized to receive one capsule per day of the test product or the placebo during a 6 months treatment period. Dermatological evaluation and clinical pictures were performed and phototrichograms were measured at baseline, 3‐months and 6‐months. The overall hair volume and overall hair appearance were assessed before and after the treatment as were subject’s self‐assessment via a standardized questionnaire. Results: The number of total hairs per cm2 at the phototrichogram after 3 and 6 months of the product intake is statistically significantly increased, when compared to placebo. The number of total hairs increased 9.9 hairs/cm2 after 3 months and 12.3 hairs/cm2 after 6 months versus D0 and it is statistically significant when compared to placebo. The improvement in the evaluation of overall hair volume, hair appearance evaluated by investigator and by the patients is better after 1, 3 and 6 months of the product intake compared to placebo. The oral supplement was tolerated as much as the placebo group. The main limitation in this study is the lack of control that may influence the anagen phase. Conclusion: The oral supplement increased the number of hairs in anagen phase and number of total hair per cm2 after 3 and 6 months of the product intake vs placebo.