DOCTOR ’ S COLUMN
Dr Vivian Lui
Aesthetic Doctor MH CLINIC PELANGI
Debunking Myths : A Doctor ’ s Insight into Hair Growth Supplements
Hair loss is a common concern that affects millions , leading to an increased demand for supplements that promise hair growth and vitality . With a plethora of supplements claiming miraculous results , it ’ s essential to separate the myths from science . This article takes a deep dive into popular hair growth ingredients : proteoglycan , saw palmetto , biotin , Oryza sativa extract , grape seed extract , zinc , and vitamin D , and evaluates their efficacy through the lens of clinical studies .
Proteoglycan : Balancing the Hair Growth Cycle Follicular proteoglycans are proteins crucial for maintaining the structure and functional roles of hair follicles . These compounds help regulate the hair growth cycle , by influencing cellular activity in hair follicles , specifically promoting the transition from the telogen ( resting ) phase to the anagen ( growth ) phase , maintaining anagen phase and enhancing immunoregulatory properties .
Clinical studies have shown that individuals who are taking proteoglycan supplements experienced significant improvement in hair density after six months , compared to those on a placebo , for both men and women . By targeting the integral pathogenetic factors , such as follicular hypoglycania ( FHG ) and proteoglycan follicular atrophy ( PFA ), it improves the condition in pattern hair loss ( PHL ) and telogen effluvium ( TE ) ( Wadstein , 2020 ).
Saw Palmetto : Nature ’ s DHT Blocker Saw palmetto , a popular botanical extract , works by inhibiting the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase , which converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone ( DHT ). Elevated DHT levels are linked to androgenetic alopecia ( male and female pattern baldness ). By reducing DHT levels , saw palmetto may slow hair loss and encourage regrowth .
A few studies demonstrated positive effects of topical and oral supplements containing saw palmetto ( 100-320 mg ) among patients with androgenetic alopecia ( AGA ) and telogen effluvium . 60 % of them improving in hair quality and 83.3 % increased hair density ( Evron , 2020 )
Biotin : The Popular Yet Controversial Vitamin Biotin , or vitamin B7 , is one of the most commonly marketed supplements for hair growth . Biotin plays a critical role in the production of keratin , and deficiency in biotin can lead to hair thinning . But true biotin deficiency is rare in healthy individuals with balanced diet . Daily recommended dose is 30mcg , and for the patient who has deficiency may prescribe 5mg per day .
In a study published in the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology , patients with hair thinning who were also biotin deficient , showed significant improvements after biotin supplementation . However , in people with normal biotin levels , the impact was negligible . Thus , while biotin can be beneficial for those with a deficiency , it may not provide noticeable results for everyone ( Patel , 2017 )
Oryza Sativa ( Rice ) Extract : An Ancient Remedy Revived Oryza sativa extract , derived from rice , has been used for centuries in traditional Asian hair care . It contains a mix of amino acids , antioxidants , and inositol ; a carbohydrate that penetrates hair strands and repairs damage .
Although research on rice extract ’ s impact on
102 ISSUE 4 | 2024 aesthetics . globalhealthasiapacific . com