Results from a clinical trial on hair loss in women have been published in The Lancet’s journal, EClinicalMedicine, and placed in The Lancet’s Specialty Collection on Regenerative Medicine. Findings indicate that targeting seven aspects of hair follicle health through 21 molecular pathways can produce positive results.
The investigation, funded by Arbor Life Labs, studied the company's Replenology botanical hair system, which is designed to promote healthy hair growth, prevent hair loss and activate dormant hair follicles. More specifically, the formulations were developed to support seven areas of hair follicle health: growth factors, circulation, anti-androgens, follicle protection, hair stem cell stimulation, immune regulation and nutrition.
According to the company, the products are based on active ingredients well-documented in the literature as associated with aspects of healthy hair growth (see below for example). For instance, DHT is known to disrupt hair cycles and cause hair thinning, so five ingredients in the system have anti-DHT and other beneficial properties. In total, the product targets 21 molecular pathways associated with healthy hair follicles and, "works by restoring levels of nutrients that are not normally found in a regular diet and/or hair care products."
The trial enrolled 46 women, 24-64 years of age with conditions including female patterned hair loss, hair thinning or diffuse hair loss. They were randomly split into test product or placebo treatment groups. Masked dermatologist assessments, phototrichograms and blood samples were obtained at baseline, 12 and 24 weeks. Subjects were given a masked treatment regimen of oral capsules, shampoo, conditioner and follicle serum for daily administration. Main outcomes were absolute and percent changes in terminal hair density and response rates.
The researchers found the Replenology system increased total scalp hair density by 33.9 hairs/cm2 and 18.6% more than the placebo. This result is reportedly a four-fold improvement in hair growth and response rates in just 24 weeks, compared with clinical trials of currently available hair loss products. The researchers also found hair regrowth accelerated during the trial.
Peter Feldman, CEO of Arbor and first author of the publication, stated, “Since 1995, scientists have said that there is no single molecule, either orally or topically delivered, that can solve the problem of hair loss. ... Likewise, it has been stated that there is no single botanical that can target all aspects of hair follicle health. The Replenology formulation, however, is a nutrient combination that supports the requirements of healthy functioning hair follicles.”
Ingredients (shampoo): Water/Eau/Aqua, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Sodium Laurylglucosides Hydroxypropylsulfonate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Hydrolyzed Lupine Protein, Hydrolyzed Chenopodium Quinoa Seed, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Momordica Charantia Fruit Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Biotin, Caffeine, Tocopheryl Nicotinate, Dimethyl Sulfone, Glycol Distearate, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Glyceryl Caprylate, Glyceryl Undecylenate, Cedrus Deodara Wood Oil, Juniperus Virginiana Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil.
Ingredient (topical nutriment): Water/Eau/Aqua, Distearoylethyl Dimonium Chloride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Lupine Protein, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Hydrolyzed Chenopodium Quinoa Seed, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Ocimum Basilicum Hairy Root Culture Extract, Pisum Sativum (Pea) Sprout Extract, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Momordica Charantia Fruit Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Biotin, Caffeine, Tocopheryl Nicotinate, Panthenol, Dimethyl Sulfone, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Glyceryl Caprylate, Glyceryl Undecylenate, Cedrus Deodara Wood Oil, Juniperus Virginiana Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Jasminum Grandiflorum (Jasmine) Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Oil, Achillea Millefolium Oil, Helichrysum Angustifolium Flower Oil.
