Efficacy of Probiotics in Hair Growth and Dandruff Control: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy of probiotics in promoting hair growth and managing dandruff by analyzing 8 studies, including 4 randomized controlled trials with 322 participants. The findings indicated that probiotics significantly increased hair thickness and improved hair density, although the increase in hair count was not significant. Probiotics also showed potential in dandruff control, with significant improvements in itching perception and free dandruff. Various probiotic strains, such as Lactobacillus paracasei and Bifidobacterium lactis, were highlighted for their positive effects on hair and scalp health. The study suggests that probiotics could be a promising intervention for hair health through immune modulation and the gut-hair axis, but further research is needed to confirm these findings and understand the specific mechanisms involved.