The Safety and Efficacy of a Sustainable Marine Extract for the Treatment of Thinning Hair: A Summary of New Clinical Research and Results from a Panel Discussion on the Problem of Thinning Hair and Current Treatments

In the United States alone, 50% of women suffer from hair loss at some point in their lives and 50% of men experience hair loss before the age of 50. In addition to aesthetic concerns, alopecia and thinning hair have adverse psychological effects, such as low self-esteem and poor self-confidence.

Identifying the causes of alopecia and thinning hair has proven especially complex in women. Current treatment options include topical formulations, prescription medications, oral supplements, and costly hair transplants; but they all have drawbacks, such that a novel therapy is needed.

This supplement presents a summary of clinical studies that have demonstrated the welcome safety and efficacy of the nutraceutical Viviscal® (Lifes2good, Inc., Chicago, IL), which contains a proprietary blend of proteins, lipids, and glycosaminoglycans of marine origin that provide essential nutrients for stimulating existing hair growth and reducing hair shedding. The summary is followed by a lively panel discussion on hair loss and current therapies amongst experts in dermatology and plastic surgery: Vivian Bucay MD (San Antonio, TX), Wendy Roberts MD (Palm Springs, CA), Heidi Waldorf MD (New York, NY), and Steven Dayan MD (Chicago, IL).