Serum Levels of Minerals and Vitamins in Two Categories of Female Alopecia Subjects Using Hair Relaxer

November 2011 in “ Dermatologica Sinica ”

Ayobola Abolape Iyanda, John I. Anetor, DP Oparinde

zinc hair relaxer-induced alopecia copper magnesium manganese vitamin D biotin serum zinc levels zinc deficiency zinc supplementation

From the encyclopedia

Zinc →

copper →

magnesium →

Studysummary This study found a significant decline in serum zinc levels among women of African descent using hair relaxers and experiencing alopecia, with age at first exposure potentially influencing alopecia development. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

In a 2011 study involving 70 women of African descent, researchers found that serum zinc levels were significantly lower in two groups of women with hair relaxer-induced alopecia (20 subjects in each group) compared to a control group of 30 subjects without alopecia. The study suggested that early exposure to hair relaxers might offer some protection against alopecia in zinc-deficient individuals, as indicated by a positive correlation between age at first exposure and duration of alopecia in one of the alopecia groups. Other minerals and vitamins, including copper, magnesium, manganese, vitamin D, and biotin, did not show significant differences between alopecia subjects and controls. The study concluded that zinc deficiency might contribute to alopecia in women using hair relaxers and recommended assessing serum zinc levels and considering zinc supplementation as preventive measures. However, the study acknowledged the need for further research, as not all elements and vitamins affecting alopecia were examined.

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Research cited in this study

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