Erschienen in:
01.12.2007 | Original Paper
Effect of oral intake of choline-stabilized orthosilicic acid on hair tensile strength and morphology in women with fine hair
verfasst von:
R. R. Wickett, E. Kossmann, A. Barel, N. Demeester, P. Clarys, D. Vanden Berghe, M. Calomme
Erschienen in:
Archives of Dermatological Research
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Ausgabe 10/2007
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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.