Effects of an Oral Contraceptive Containing Chlormadinone Acetate and Ethinylestradiol on Hair and Skin Quality in Women Wishing to Use Hormonal Contraception

March 2012 in “ Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology ”

Martina Kerscher, T. Reuther, Nils Krueger, Heike Buntrock

chlormadinone acetate ethinylestradiol monophasic oral contraceptive sebum excretion terminal hair count scalp oiliness hair density dandruff scalp irritation scalp redness hormonal contraception birth control pill oily hair oily skin

Studysummary This study found that 12 cycles of chlormadinone acetate in hormonal contraceptives significantly improved oily skin and hair quality, enhancing psychosocial well-being in healthy women. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

The study examined the impact of a monophasic oral contraceptive with 0.03 mg ethinylestradiol and 2 mg chlormadinone acetate on the hair and skin quality of 60 women, but only 31 completed the study. After 12 treatment cycles, there were significant improvements in scalp and forehead sebum excretion, an increase in terminal hair count, and reductions in scalp oiliness, hair density/condition, dandruff, and scalp irritation/redness. Self-assessments by subjects confirmed better hair quality, and the treatment was generally well-tolerated, with some adverse events leading to withdrawal. The study concluded that this oral contraceptive offers cosmetic and dermatological benefits, potentially improving psychosocial well-being and serving as a new treatment option for women with oily hair and skin.

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Research cited in this study

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