Effect of oral intake of choline-stabilized orthosilicic acid on hair tensile strength and morphology in women with fine hair

Abstract

The appearance of hair plays an important role in people's overall physical appearance and self-perception. Silicon (Si) has been suggested to have a role in the formation of connective tissue and is present at 1-10 ppm in hair. Choline-stabilized orthosilicic acid ("ch-OSA") is a bioavailable form of silicon which was found to improve skin microrelief and skin mechanical properties in women with photoaged skin. The effect of ch-OSA on hair was investigated in a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled study. Forty-eight women with fine hair were given 10 mg Si/day in the form of ch-OSA beadlets (n = 24) or a placebo (n = 24), orally for 9 months. Hair morphology and tensile properties were evaluated before and after treatment. Urinary silicon concentration increased significantly in the ch-OSA supplemented group but not in the placebo group. The elastic gradient decreased in both groups but the change was significantly smaller in the ch-OSA group (-4.52%) compared to placebo group (-11.9%). Break load changed significantly in the placebo group (-10.8%) but not in the ch-OSA supplemented group (-2.20%). Break stress and elastic modulus decreased in both groups but the change was smaller in the ch-OSA group. The cross sectional area increased significantly after 9 months compared to baseline in ch-OSA supplemented subjects but not in the placebo group. The change in urinary silicon excretion was significantly correlated with the change in cross sectional area. Oral intake of ch-OSA had a positive effect on tensile strength including elasticity and break load and resulted in thicker hair.

Biological and therapeutic effects of ortho-silicic acid and some ortho-silicic acid-releasing compounds: New perspectives for therapy

“…In addition, ch-OSA intake positively affected the brittleness of hair and nails. Oral supplementation with ch-OSA had positive effects on hair morphology and tensile strengths, as shown in a randomized placebo-controlled double blind study by Wickett et al [68]. …”

Anti-Aging Effects of Monomethylsilanetriol and Maltodextrin-Stabilized Orthosilicic Acid on Nails, Skin and Hair

“…Data from the literature show that this decrease can affect the synthesis of collagen by the fibroblasts, as well as the activations of dermal collagenase-in this sense, improvement in collagen type I synthesis are one of the alleged benefits of Si supplementation [6]. Additionally, other benefits found in literature are: (i) promotion of the synthesis of elastin; (ii) stimulus for nail hardness; (iii) increase of resistance and thickness of hair fiber; and (iv) preservation of blood vessel elasticity [6][7][8][9][10][11]. These effects are important because skin ageing involves decrease in collagen, glycosaminoglycans and proteoglycans, together with degeneration of elastic fibers [6].…”

Female Adolescent Hair Disorders

“…Similarly, a silicon-containing oral supplement, choline-stabilized orthosilicic acid, may be used to improve hair brittleness, 42 tensile strength, and thickness (cross sectional area). 43 We recommend biotin 5 mg po q/day and cholinestabilized orthosilicic acid 10 mg po q/day to all of our patients irregardless of the primary hair disorder.…”