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Effect of oral intake of choline-stabilized orthosilicic acid on hair tensile strength and morphology in women with fine hair

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Abstract

The appearance of hair plays an important role in people’s overall physical appearance and self-perception. Silicon (Si) has been suggested to have a role in the formation of connective tissue and is present at 1–10 ppm in hair. Choline-stabilized orthosilicic acid (“ch-OSA”) is a bioavailable form of silicon which was found to improve skin microrelief and skin mechanical properties in women with photoaged skin. The effect of ch-OSA on hair was investigated in a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled study. Forty-eight women with fine hair were given 10 mg Si/day in the form of ch-OSA beadlets (n = 24) or a placebo (n = 24), orally for 9 months. Hair morphology and tensile properties were evaluated before and after treatment. Urinary silicon concentration increased significantly in the ch-OSA supplemented group but not in the placebo group. The elastic gradient decreased in both groups but the change was significantly smaller in the ch-OSA group (−4.52%) compared to placebo group (−11.9%). Break load changed significantly in the placebo group (−10.8%) but not in the ch-OSA supplemented group (−2.20%). Break stress and elastic modulus decreased in both groups but the change was smaller in the ch-OSA group. The cross sectional area increased significantly after 9 months compared to baseline in ch-OSA supplemented subjects but not in the placebo group. The change in urinary silicon excretion was significantly correlated with the change in cross sectional area. Oral intake of ch-OSA had a positive effect on tensile strength including elasticity and break load and resulted in thicker hair.

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Acknowledgments

ch-OSA was developed by Dirk Vanden Berghe for Bio Minerals n.v. This study was supported by a grant of Bio Minerals n.v. The Institute Dr. Schrader (Holzminden, Germany) was contracted as an independent research organization for the recruitment of volunteers and for the analysis of hair parameters.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Pharmacy, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, USA

    R. R. Wickett

  2. Practice for Dermatology and Cosmetic Medicine, Holzminden, Germany

    E. Kossmann

  3. Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium

    A. Barel & P. Clarys

  4. Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium

    N. Demeester, D. Vanden Berghe & M. Calomme

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  1. R. R. Wickett
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  2. E. Kossmann
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  3. A. Barel
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  4. N. Demeester
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  5. P. Clarys
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  6. D. Vanden Berghe
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  7. M. Calomme
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Correspondence to M. Calomme.

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Wickett, R.R., Kossmann, E., Barel, A. et al. Effect of oral intake of choline-stabilized orthosilicic acid on hair tensile strength and morphology in women with fine hair. Arch Dermatol Res 299, 499–505 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00403-007-0796-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00403-007-0796-z

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