This comprehensive 2014 review by Gupta et al. explores the therapeutic applications of zinc in dermatology, encompassing both topical and oral formulations. Zinc’s anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and antimicrobial properties underpin its efficacy in various skin conditions. In acne vulgaris, oral zinc sulfate and gluconate have demonstrated benefits, particularly in inflammatory
This case-control study assessed serum zinc and copper levels in 312 patients with various types of hair loss—alopecia areata (AA), male pattern hair loss (MPHL), female pattern hair loss (FPHL), and telogen effluvium (TE)—compared to 30 healthy controls. The mean serum zinc level in hair loss patients was 84.33 ±
This preclinical study by Ogawa et al. (2019) investigated the role of biotin in maintaining zinc homeostasis in the skin using murine models. Mice fed a biotin-deficient (BD) diet exhibited significantly reduced serum zinc levels, disappearance of epidermal Langerhans cells, and increased ATP release from keratinocytes, leading to enhanced and
This case-control study assessed the relationship between trace element levels and androgenetic alopecia (AGA) in 116 Turkish male patients compared to 100 healthy controls. The researchers measured zinc and copper concentrations in hair, serum, and urine samples, along with body mass index (BMI). Findings revealed that patients with AGA had
This double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial evaluated the efficacy of low-dose zinc gluconate (200 mg/day, equivalent to ~30 mg elemental zinc) in treating patients with inflammatory acne. Participants receiving zinc gluconate showed a statistically significant reduction in the number and severity of inflammatory lesions compared to those on placebo (p
This study investigated whether baseline plasma zinc levels could predict the effectiveness of conservative therapy in males with androgenetic alopecia (AGA). Conducted in Moscow, Russia, the study included 60 male participants aged 18–55 years diagnosed with AGA. Plasma zinc concentrations were measured before initiating a 6-month conservative treatment regimen, which
This 2006 study investigated the role of vitamin C in the formation of the dermal-epidermal junction (DEJ) using a reconstructed human skin model comprising keratinocytes and fibroblasts. Vitamin C supplementation enhanced the deposition and organization of key basement membrane proteins, including collagen IV, collagen VII, and laminin 5, leading to
This 2017 review explores vitamin C’s critical functions in skin health. It highlights vitamin C’s role in collagen synthesis, antioxidant protection against UV-induced damage, and potential in inhibiting melanogenesis. The review compares the efficacy of dietary intake versus topical application, noting that while the skin accumulates high levels of vitamin
This randomized controlled trial investigated the efficacy and safety of finasteride in Japanese men with androgenetic alopecia (male pattern hair loss). Participants received either 1 mg or 0.2 mg of finasteride or placebo daily for 48 weeks. Results showed significant hair growth improvement in 58% of the 1 mg group
This randomized controlled trial investigated the efficacy of finasteride 1 mg/day in men aged 18 to 41 with androgenetic alopecia over two years. Results showed significant increases in scalp hair counts—107 hairs at 1 year and 138 at 2 years (P < .001)—compared to baseline, while the placebo group experienced
