Oral Zinc Therapy for Zinc Deficiency-Related Telogen Effluvium

March 2012 in “ Dermatologic Therapy ”

Tadashi Karashima, Daisuke Tsuruta, Takahiro Hamada, Fumitake Ono, Norito Ishii, Takanobu Abe, Bungo Ohyama, Takekuni Nakama, Teruki Dainichi, Takashi Hashimoto

zinc telogen effluvium polaprezinc metalloenzyme activities hedgehog signaling immunomodulation serum zinc levels zinc therapy

Studysummary In this study, all five patients with zinc deficiency-related hair loss experienced improvement or recovery of their condition after receiving oral zinc treatment. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

In a study from 2012, five female patients with zinc deficiency-related telogen effluvium were treated with 150 mg daily of oral zinc in the form of polaprezinc for 6 to 12 months. All patients had normal thyroid function and negative hair pull tests prior to treatment. The study found that hair loss was cured or improved in all cases after zinc supplementation. The treatment appeared to support hair growth by enhancing metalloenzyme activities, hedgehog signaling, and immunomodulation. Serum zinc levels increased post-treatment, and in one instance, hair loss that returned after ceasing treatment was reversed upon resuming zinc supplementation. The study concluded that oral zinc therapy is effective for hair loss associated with zinc deficiency.

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Research cited in this study

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research Trichoscopy for Common Hair Loss Diseases: Algorithmic Method for Diagnosis

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The Therapeutic Effect and Changed Serum Zinc Level After Zinc Supplementation in Alopecia Areata Patients with Low Serum Zinc Level

research The Therapeutic Effect and Changed Serum Zinc Level After Zinc Supplementation in Alopecia Areata Patients with Low Serum Zinc Level

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