Effect of Cosmetic Hair Treatment and Natural Hair Color on Hair Testosterone Concentrations

October 2023 in “ PloS one ”

Julia K. Preinbergs, Inger Sundström‐Poromaa, Elvar Theodorsson, Jakob O. Ström, Edvin Ingberg

testosterone cosmetic hair treatments hair coloring hair bleaching radioimmunoassay hair dye hair bleach

TLDR Cosmetic hair treatments can increase hair testosterone levels, while natural hair color does not affect it.

The study investigated the stability of testosterone concentrations in hair samples collected three months apart and examined the effects of natural hair color and cosmetic hair treatments. Results showed a moderate intra-individual correlation in testosterone levels between the two samplings (rho = 0.378, p<0.001, n = 146). Cosmetic hair treatments, such as coloring or bleaching, appeared to increase testosterone concentrations (p = 0.051, n = 191; paired analysis p = 0.005, n = 24), while natural hair color had no significant effect (p = 0.133). The findings highlight the importance of considering cosmetic treatments in hair testosterone analyses and confirm the reliability of using a radioimmunoassay for measuring testosterone in small hair samples in women.

View this study on journals.plos.org →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

2 / 2 results

research Within-Person Changes of Cortisol, Dehydroepiandrosterone, Testosterone, Estradiol, and Progesterone in Hair Across Pregnancy, with Comparison to a Non-Pregnant Reference Group

12 citations, December 2020 in “Comprehensive psychoneuroendocrinology”

Hormone levels in hair change during pregnancy, with progesterone increasing significantly compared to non-pregnant women.

Testosterone-Like Immunoreactivity in Hair Measured in Minute Sample Amounts: A Competitive Radioimmunoassay with an Adequate Limit of Detection

research Testosterone-Like Immunoreactivity in Hair Measured in Minute Sample Amounts: A Competitive Radioimmunoassay with an Adequate Limit of Detection

12 citations, December 2017 in “Scientific reports”

The new test can measure very small amounts of testosterone in hair, and grinding the hair up first gives more accurate results.

Related Research

6 / 6 results

research Androgenetic Alopecia Pattern Hair Regrowth in Patients with Alopecia Areata Treated with Oral JAK Inhibitors

November 2020 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Oral JAK inhibitors help regrow hair in alopecia patients.

research Hair Loss (Alopecia or Baldness)

June 2018

Baldness is often hereditary and linked to male hormones, becoming noticeable when half the hair is lost.

research Treating Resistant Cases of Alopecia Universalis

May 2018 in “Journal of cosmetology & trichology”

Combining platelet-rich plasma therapy with prostaglandin-F eye drops can significantly regrow hair in alopecia universalis.

research Treatments of Hereditary Hair Loss (Alopecia)

April 2018

Some treatments like minoxidil, finasteride, and surgery can help with hereditary hair loss.

research Drug Reactions Affecting Hair: Diagnosis

85 citations, April 2007 in “Dermatologic Clinics”

Some drugs can cause hair loss, change hair color and shape, or increase hair growth, and treatment may involve stopping the drug or using specific hair growth treatments.

research Clinical Updates in Hair

19 citations, January 1997 in “Dermatologic Clinics”

Most treatments for hair loss in 1997 were not effective for most people, and maintaining hair growth was difficult.

Effect of Cosmetic Hair Treatment and Natural Hair Color on Hair Testosterone Concentrations

Research cited in this study

research Within-Person Changes of Cortisol, Dehydroepiandrosterone, Testosterone, Estradiol, and Progesterone in Hair Across Pregnancy, with Comparison to a Non-Pregnant Reference Group

research Testosterone-Like Immunoreactivity in Hair Measured in Minute Sample Amounts: A Competitive Radioimmunoassay with an Adequate Limit of Detection

Related Community Posts Join

community Two months of dutasteride once a day 0.5 and minoxidil 5% twice a day. The light is different but I think there is progress

community I started rapidly diffuse thinning at 22. I'm 42 now and have as much hair as I did at 16. AMA

community What’s your nuclear protocol???

community Nothing's working, I feel depressed, also hopeless for the first time

community 8 months - 0.5mg dut, 80mg Ru58841, 5mg oral min, topical min at night, microneedle 1.5mm every other week

community What else is good. Besides the big 3.