According to functional ingredients specialist AIDP, Inc., the beauty-from-within category continues to grow and is a key opportunity for supplement manufacturers. Per the company, when U.S.-based women were asked which of their physical issues they’re least comfortable with, two answers tied for the top slot at 23%: hair thinning and weight issues. In response to the former, AIDP, Inc., recently highlighted the promising results of a clinical study exploring the effects of its Keragen-IV (keratin) oral supplement for skin and hair; the work was published in the journal HealthMed.
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Oral Keratin Clinical Study Protocol
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted in 65 female subjects ages 45-60 having healthy skin but damaged or stressed hair. For 60 days, the subjects were administered either the Keragen-IV supplement (200 mg) and 550 mg of microcrystalline cellulose, or the placebo (750 mg of microcrystalline cellulose). Participants took two capsules daily (every morning), swallowed with a glass of water.
Clinical assessments of hair and skin were conducted in several ways, including:
- Hair pull test;
- Hair sampling for keratin analysis;
- Dermatological exam of hair quality;
- Skin firmness/elasticity;
- Skin barrier function efficacy (via TEWL) and hydration; and
- Dermatological controls.
Oral Keratin Study Results
Per the article abstract, the product induced collagen IV expression, which appeared to translate to a measurable improvement in hair anchoring. More specifically, a 43.1% reduction (p ≤ 0.01) in hair loss was observed, as measured by a hair pull test.
In addition, apparent improvements in hair keratin structure were noted, supported by a 17.61% increase (p ≤ 0.01) in birefringence. This was attributed to an increase in hair cortex structural integrity, as determined by polarimetric imaging analysis.
A 12.5% reduction (p ≤ 0.05) in trans epidermal water loss (TEWL) also was observed, likely associated with the increased collagen IV expression. Improvements in skin health and structure were reinforced by measured improvements in skin elasticity, which increased by 10.1% (p ≤ 0.001).
The researchers therefore concluded that the use of oral keratin supplementation containing the investigational product Keragen-IV improved skin and hair structure and hair loss.
One of the principal investigators, Jennifer Gu, Ph.D., vice president of R&D at AIDP, Inc., said, “This study verifies Keragen-IV’s role in hair anchoring, which is a concern for many women experiencing hair loss due to hormonal changes or stress. It also indicated Keragen-IV's role in skin elasticity, which can deteriorate as one ages.”
About Keragen-IV Keratin
Keragen-IV is a solubilized functional keratin in a digestible powder form with application in beauty-within products. Per the company, the alpha-keratin structure in the Keragen-IV source shares homology with keratin naturally present in human hair. The product is vegetarian certified and sustainably sourced from New Zealand sheep’s wool.
