Abstract
BACKGROUND: Chronic telogen effluvium (CTE) is characterized by hair loss lasting for more than 6 months and severely impairs quality of life (QoL). There is no specific treatment. AIMS: To assess the dermatological tolerance and clinical efficacy of a hair serum containing three plant-derived active ingredients (a Silybum marianum extract, Manganese PCA, and a Lespedeza capitata extract) in women with CTE. METHODS: In this 16-week, open-label, two-arm, controlled, parallel-group study, 64 women aged 46 ± 10 years with CTE and a positive hair pull test were allocated equally to either a treated group (study serum and neutral shampoo) or a control group (neutral shampoo only). RESULTS: The investigator rated dermatological tolerance of the serum as good at week (W)16. Compared to the control group, reductions in the amount of hair collected by the investigator during hair pull tests were greater in the treated group at W8 (p = 0.027) and W16 (p = 0.030), the amount of hair shed in 60 s (assessed by the subjects) was significantly lower in the treated group from W4, and more subjects in the treated group reported a decrease in hair loss over the study period (p ≤ 0.01; all time points). The treated subjects also perceived a significant improvement in hair volume, density, strength, and thickness, and reported being less depressed, less annoyed and less embarrassed by their hair loss. CONCLUSIONS: The serum was well-tolerated and had a significant anti-hair loss effect in women with CTE. This effect positively impacted QoL.