Zinc for hair
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
Consensus Meter
The Role of Zinc in Hair Health
Zinc and Hair Growth Modulation
Zinc is often used to treat hair loss, even when there is no zinc deficiency. Research using a mouse model has shown that high doses of oral zinc can significantly inhibit hair growth by delaying the development of the anagen phase, which is the active growth phase of hair follicles. However, zinc also prolongs the catagen phase, the regression phase where hair growth ceases and follicles shrink. Interestingly, zinc treatment can accelerate the regrowth of normally pigmented hair shafts in cyclophosphamide-damaged hair follicles, suggesting a potential role in promoting hair follicle recovery after damage. The effects of zinc on hair growth are highly dependent on the timing and duration of administration, making it a potent but ambivalent modulator of hair growth.
Zinc Levels in Hair as a Biomarker
Hair zinc concentration is a useful indicator of zinc status in the body. Studies have shown that hair zinc levels can reflect dietary zinc intake. For instance, a study involving adolescent girls in Pakistan demonstrated that consuming zinc-biofortified wheat flour led to a detectable increase in hair zinc levels, measured using X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF). This method offers a sensitive, non-invasive way to monitor changes in zinc status in response to dietary interventions.
Zinc Deficiency and Hair Health
Zinc deficiency is common worldwide and can have significant effects on hair health. Low levels of zinc in hair have been associated with poor appetite, stunted growth, and hypogeusia (reduced taste acuity) in children. Supplementing the diet with zinc has been shown to normalize taste acuity and increase hair zinc levels, indicating that zinc deficiency can adversely affect hair health and overall growth. Additionally, malnourished children have been found to have higher hair zinc levels compared to healthy children, suggesting that zinc status is closely linked to nutritional health.
Zinc Supplementation and Hair Zinc Levels
Zinc supplementation can influence zinc levels in various body tissues, including hair. However, the response of hair zinc levels to supplementation can vary. For example, a study on young Laotian children found that while plasma and nail zinc concentrations increased with zinc supplementation, hair zinc levels did not show a significant change. This suggests that hair zinc may not always be a reliable biomarker for zinc supplementation efficacy in certain populations.
Zinc in Dermatology
Zinc has numerous applications in dermatology due to its antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties. It is used to treat various skin conditions, including acne vulgaris, leishmaniasis, and hair loss disorders. Patients with zinc deficiency are recommended to receive oral supplementation to improve their condition. However, more research is needed to fully understand the role of zinc as a monotherapy for these conditions.
Conclusion
Zinc plays a crucial role in hair health, influencing hair growth, and serving as a biomarker for zinc status. While high doses of zinc can modulate hair growth phases, zinc deficiency can lead to poor hair health and growth issues. Zinc supplementation can improve zinc levels in the body, although its effect on hair zinc levels may vary. Further research is needed to explore the full potential of zinc in treating hair loss and other dermatological conditions.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic