Simultaneous directional full-field OCT using path-length and carrier multiplexing.

Full-field swept-source optical coherence tomography (FF-SS-OCT) is an emerging technology with potential applications in ophthalmic imaging, microscopy, metrology, and other domains. Here we demonstrate a novel method of multiplexing FF-SS-OCT signals using carrier modulation (CM). The principle of CM could be used to inspect various properties of the scattered light, e.g. its spectrum, polarization, Doppler shift, or distribution in the pupil. The last of these will be explored in this work, where CM was used to acquire images passing through two different optical pupils. The two pupils contained semicircular optical windows with perpendicular orientations, with each window permitting measurement of scattering anisotropy in one dimension by inducing an optical delay between the images formed by the two halves of the pupil. Together, the two forms of multiplexing permit measurement of differential scattering anisotropy in the x and y dimensions simultaneously. To demonstrate the feasibility of this technique our carrier multiplexed directional FF-OCT (CM-D-FF-OCT) system was used to acquire images of a microlens array, human hair, onion skin and in vivo human retina. The results of these studies are presented and briefly discussed in the context of future development and application of this technique.

A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of a Nutraceutical Supplement for Promoting Hair Growth in Perimenopausal, Menopausal, and Postmenopausal Women With Thinning Hair.

Hair loss is a complex and multi-factorial problem that is associated with significant psychological morbidity in women. Menopausal women represent a significant percentage of those affected, since the menopausal hormonal transition can be a contributing factor. A novel nutraceutical supplement has been specifically formulated with phytoactives to improve hair growth and quality in menopausal women (Nutrafol® Women’s Balance Capsules). The objective of this 6-month, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was to assess the safety and efficacy of this oral supplement to promote hair growth in perimenopausal, menopausal, and postmenopausal women with self-perceived thinning. Subjects were randomized to the study supplement (n=40) or placebo (n=30). The primary endpoint was a statistically significant increase in the number of terminal and vellus hairs based on phototrichogram analysis. Daily intake of the nutraceutical supplement resulted in progressive and significant increase in terminal and total hair counts on days 90 (P<0.01) and 180 (P<0.01) compared to placebo. The vellus hair counts significantly increased for the active treatment group (P<0.05) by day 180 while significantly decreasing for the placebo group subjects. Hair shedding progressively and significantly decreased for the active group compared to placebo, culminating in a reduction of 32.41% by day 180 (P<0.01). The study supplement was well-tolerated. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04048031 J Drugs Dermatol. 2021;20(1):55-61. doi:10.36849/JDD.5701 THIS ARTICLE HAD BEEN MADE AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE. PLEASE SCROLL DOWN TO ACCESS THE FULL TEXT OF THIS ARTICLE WITHOUT LOGGING IN. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. PLEASE CONTACT THE PUBLISHER WITH ANY QUESTIONS.

Platelet-rich plasma injections in the treatment of male androgenetic alopecia: A randomized placebo-controlled crossover study.

BACKGROUND: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment for androgenetic alopecia (AGA) has been increasingly used, yet there remains a dearth of data on the effectiveness of this approach. AIM: To compare the efficacy and safety of physically activated PRP injections vs placebo in the treatment of male AGA. METHODS: Twenty-five healthy male patients with AGA were enrolled in a randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study with the treatments of PRP and placebo. Treatment efficacy was measured by calculating the hair density as the average of two independent blind measurements. RESULTS: In the group that received placebo first (Group 2), we detected a significant increase in hair density at the secondary endpoints after PRP treatment (P = .014). There was a greater proportion of patients with low-grade alopecia in this group (53.3%) compared to Group 1 (30%). CONCLUSION: This study provides data supporting the positive effects of PRP treatment on AGA in males, but further studies are needed to identify those factors that might affect PRP treatment performance, such as the stage of the disease.

The effect of 1540-nm fractional erbium-glass laser in the treatment of androgenic alopecia.

BACKGROUND: Androgenic alopecia is common, chronic dermatologic disorder. A variety of lasers and light sources appear to be safe and effective in the treatment of AGA. AIMS: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of 1540-nm fractional erbium glass laser in the treatment of AGA. PATIENTS/METHODS: This was an interventional therapeutic study for the treatment of patients with AGA. The patients received 10 sessions with 1540-nm fractional erbium glass laser at 2-week intervals. The assessment of the response was done before and at the end of follow-up period, both objectively (the change in the density of terminal hair and the diameter of the hair shaft) and subjectively (patient satisfaction). Any adverse effects were documented during the study. RESULTS: Forty-seven out of 51 patients completed the study. After 5 months of laser treatment, the density of hair and hair thickness was significantly increased in both males and females (P value .001). CONCLUSION: The 1540-nm fractional erbium-glass laser seems to be an effective and safe option for treatment of patients with AGA. The improvement was accomplished in a short period.

Preliminary results of the use of scalp microneedling in different types of alopecia.

BACKGROUND: Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is the result of progressive patterned hair density reduction and sometimes can be associated with telogen effluvium (TE). The efficacy of conventional therapy is variable, and therefore, there is a need for adjuvant and newer modalities of treatment in order to give faster and better outcomes. Microneedling has been reported to be a promising, effective, and safe new technique in the treatment of AGA. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to prove that microneedling procedure should be offered to patients with AGA and TE along with the existing therapeutic modalities, in order to obtain faster hair regrowth and, therefore, a better patient compliance. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We collected data of 36 females, 29 with AGA, and 7 with TE, and 14 males with AGA between January 2017 and December 2018 and then treated with 3 session of microneedling over a total period of 6 months. RESULTS: No serious adverse side effects were reported. All the patients reported a partial or complete reduction in hair loss, associated to the perception of improvement of hair density and thickening of the hair shaft diameter, results confirmed by clinical iconography and trichoscopy. CONCLUSIONS: Scalp areas typical affected by AGA, that is, the vertex in males and the frontal area in females, are the ones that showed the greater percentage of improvement. Moreover, microneedling can have a role also in TE, especially when cosmetic procedures do not give enough results, because it induces a rapid arresting of the hair loss.

Stromal vascular fraction-enriched platelet-rich plasma therapy reverses the effects of androgenetic alopecia.

BACKGROUND: Since antiquity, humans have been trying to devise remedies to cure androgenetic alopecia (AGA). These efforts include use of oral and topical concoctions and hair transplant strategies. As AGA affects people of all colors and creed, there has been a continuous effort to find a magic bullet against AGA. Unfortunately, to date, all the strategies to negate AGA effects have limitations and thus require new treatment options. AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of use of stromal vascular fraction (SVF) in androgenetic alopecia patients. METHODS: Stromal vascular fraction was obtained by enzymatic digestion of autologous adipose tissue. The patients were divided into two groups, that is, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) group and SVF-PRP group. In PRP group, only PRP was injected, while in SVF-PRP group a mixture of PRP and SVF was injected in affected scalp areas. After two sessions (4 weeks apart), the patients in both groups were assessed and analyzed using various parameters. RESULTS: Mean hair density in PRP group was increased from 52.44 hair/cm2 to 63.72 hair/cm2 (21.51% increase); while in SVF-PRP group, it was 37.66 hair/cm2 before treatment and 57.11 hair/cm2 after SVF-PRP therapy (51.64% increase). Percentage reduction in pull test was more significant in SVF-PRP group (80.78 ± 5.84) as compared to PRP group (34.01 ± 22.44). The physician and patient assessment scores also indicated a significant improvement in SVF-PRP group. CONCLUSION: A combined SVF-PRP therapy reversed effects of AGA more efficiently as compared to PRP therapy alone.

Penetration study of oils and its formulations into the human hair using confocal microscopy.

BACKGROUND: Laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) is a nondestructive method for observing the samples in three dimensions as well in their natural environment. Therefore, it is well suited for studying human hair. This investigation is focused on evaluating the comparative penetration ability of vegetable vs mineral oils and their formulations with excipient, in human hair. AIMS: Laser scanning confocal microscopy was employed to assess thin cross sections of human hair, treated with oils and their formulations, to comprehend their penetration capability and pattern. METHODS: Hair incubated with individual oils or their formulations were labeled with the fluorescent dye was cross-sectioned into thin fragments and visualized under the LSCM. RESULTS: The mineral oil demonstrated better penetration through the hair than the vegetable oils. Combination of these oils with excipient, in an appropriate ratio, had a substantial influence on oil penetration in terms of the depth of penetration. CONCLUSIONS: Our investigation proved the suitability of fluorescent-based imaging for studying the penetration of oils across human hair. This method can be employed as a potential analytical tool to study the penetration of various hair-care formulations and/or their additives, to estimate their effects on human hair.

Efficacy of platelet-rich plasma in androgenetic alopecia patients.

BACKGROUND: Androgenetic alopecia (AGA), a patterned hair loss in both males and females, is a commonly occurring disease worldwide. Conventionally, no curative or satisfactory treatment is available for this condition. Therefore, in the current study, we aim to use platelet-rich plasma (PRP) as an alternative treatment option for the AGA patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 30 patients (20 men and 10 women) with AGA were included in the study between February 2017 and November 2017. Blood (9 cc) from each AGA patient was collected in 10 cc syringe, and PRP was isolated using commercially available kit under sterilized conditions. Isolated PRP was injected in the bald areas of scalp of AGA patients. The whole procedure was repeated after one month (two treatment sessions), and patients were followed for six months. The efficacy of PRP for restoration of hair was assessed using parameters such as hair density, terminal to vellus hair ratio, photographs, pull test, physician global assessment score, and patient global assessment score. RESULTS: Mean hair density on first visit (before treatment) was 34.18 ± 14.36/cm2 which was increased to 50.20 ± 15.91/cm2 after 6 months of first treatment (P value <0.05). On a scale of three, mean scores of physician and patient global assessments were 1.45 ± 0.57 and 1.60 ± 0.62, respectively. Mean percentage reduction of hair pulled was 29.2% (P value <0.05) after PRP treatment. Terminal to vellus hair ratio was increased in 60% of patients after PRP therapy. No remarkable adverse effects were noted in patients. CONCLUSION: Results showed that PRP is an effective treatment option in androgenetic alopecia as indicated by higher hair density, satisfactory physician and patient global assessment scores, and increase in terminal to vellus hair ratio.

A 6-month, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluating the ability of a marine complex supplement to promote hair growth in men with thinning hair.

BACKGROUND: Male pattern baldness, or androgenetic alopecia, affects approximately 50% of the adult population and can cause poor self-image, low self-esteem and have a significant negative impact on the quality of life. An oral nutraceutical supplement based on a marine complex formulation has previously been reported to significantly increase the number of terminal hairs in women with thinning hair. AIMS: The objective of this double-blind, placebo-controlled study was to confirm the beneficial effects of a similar marine complex supplement in adult male subjects with thinning hair (Viviscal® Man; Lifes2good, Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). PATIENTS/METHODS: Healthy adult male subjects with thinning hair associated with clinically diagnosed male pattern hair loss were enrolled and randomized to receive study drug or placebo twice daily. RESULTS: At Day 90, subjects indicated a significant improvement in three of six quality of life measures as well as a significant overall improvement in quality of life. After 180 days, significant increases were observed for total hair count, total hair density, and terminal hair density (for each, P = 0.001). The investigator assessments revealed significant improvements in terminal and vellus hair count and terminal hair density. Hair pull test results were significantly lower (fewer hairs removed) for study drug vs. placebo at Days 90 (P < 0.05) and 180 (P < 0.01). There were no reports of treatment-emergent adverse events. CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed for the first time that a dietary supplement containing a marine complex and other ingredients can decrease hair shedding and promote hair growth in men with thinning hair.