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

September 2015 | Volume 14 | Issue 9 | Supplement Individual Articles | 15 | Copyright © September 2015


Carl S. Hornfeldt PhD RPha and Mark Hollandb
Panel Discussion with Vivian W. Bucay MD,c Wendy E. Roberts MD,d Heidi A. Waldorf MD,e
and Steven H. Dayan MDf

aApothekon, Inc., St Paul, MN
bLifes2good, Inc., Chicago, IL
cCenter for Dermatology and Aesthetics, San Antonio, TX
dRancho Mirage Dermatologist, Rancho Mirage, CA
eDepartment of Dermatology, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, NY
fDepartment of Otolaryngology, University of Illinois Medical Center, Chicago, IL

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of our clinical studies, where daily intake promotes existing hair growth.
Hair loss is a prevalent and often emotionally disturbing condition that affects a significant proportion of men and women. Multiple randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies have demonstrated the safety and efficacy of Viviscal – a dietary supplement containing a proprietary blend of proteins, lipids, and GAGs – in promoting existing hair growth. Considering the limitations of the current treatments for alopecia and thinning hair, there is a need for alternative therapy options. In our studies, treatments with Viviscal alone led to an increase in existing hair growth. Therefore, as further discussed below, Viviscal may be an effective treatment option both alone and in combination with other pharmaceutical therapies such as minoxidil.

EXPERT ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION

In August 2014, a group of aesthetic experts in dermatology and plastic surgery convened in Chicago, IL. The goal of this meeting was to initiate an interactive dialogue among clinicians on the topic of treatments for hair loss and thinning hair. Physicians reviewed the key findings from clinical studies examining the effects of a nutraceutical on hair growth, and shared their experiences with the supplement for treating hair loss and thinning hair in their patients. The participating physicians were Vivian Bucay MD (San Antonio, TX), Wendy Roberts MD (Palm Springs, CA), Heidi Waldorf MD (New York, NY), and Steven Dayan MD (Chicago, IL).

The Prevalence of Hair Loss

What percentage of your patients is concerned about their hair, including but not limited to loss, thinning, or texture?
Dr. Bucay: Probably between 20% and 30%.
Dr. Roberts: Approximately 30%.
Dr. Waldorf: Fewer than 10% discuss it. Probably 25% of those who take supplements are on some hair/nail supplement.
Among patients concerned with the condition of their hair, what is the percentage of male vs female?
Dr. Bucay: I would say that of the ones who bring up hair loss, 80% to 90% are women, probably because the male patients usually present for androgenic alopecia and there is so much in the marketplace that also addresses the issue.
Dr. Roberts: Males 40% and females 60%.
Dr. Waldorf: 90% female, but most of my cosmetic patients are female.
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