Recovery Effects of Oral Supplementation with Polar Lipid-Rich Wheat Extracts on Acute Telogen Effluvium: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study.

BACKGROUND

Acute telogen effluvium (aTE) is a transient condition characterized by an early entry of the hair into the telogen phase.

PURPOSE: This clinical study aimed at demonstrating the efficacy of a standardized wheat polar lipid complex both in oil (WPLC-O) and in powder (WPLC-P) form in improving hair shedding.

SUBJECTS AND

METHODS

The study was carried out in 99 healthy women with aTE. Hair growth cycle related parameters (anagen/telogen hair), hair pull test, hair shaft mechanical properties (hair elongation at break) and hair growth were assessed at baseline and after 56 (D56) and/or 84 (D84) days of products use. These parameters were completed by the subject's self-assessment.

RESULTS

Telogen hair density was decreased by up to 26.9% and 24.2% while anagen density was increased by up to 10.3% and 10.8%, for WPLC-O and WPLC-P, respectively. These effects were significant compared with the placebo as early as within 56 days. These variations corresponded to an increase in the anagen/telogen ratio by up to 62.2% and 53.3% for WPLC-O and WPLC-P, respectively. Hair growth was also significantly increased in both active groups. At the end of the study the pull test was negative for aTE, exclusively in active treatment arms.

CONCLUSION

Our findings demonstrated the efficacy of WPLC in both form in reducing hair shedding and in improving hair growth in women with aTE.