The appearance of hair plays an important role in people’s overall physical appearance and self-perception. Silicon (Si) has
been suggested to have a role in the formation of connective tissue and is present at 1–10 ppm in hair. Choline-stabilized
orthosilicic acid (“ch-OSA”) is a bioavailable form of silicon which was found to improve skin microrelief and skin mechanical
properties in women with photoaged skin. The effect of ch-OSA on hair was investigated in a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled
study. Forty-eight women with fine hair were given 10 mg Si/day in the form of ch-OSA beadlets (
n = 24) or a placebo (
n = 24), orally for 9 months. Hair morphology and tensile properties were evaluated before and after treatment. Urinary silicon
concentration increased significantly in the ch-OSA supplemented group but not in the placebo group. The elastic gradient
decreased in both groups but the change was significantly smaller in the ch-OSA group (−4.52%) compared to placebo group (−11.9%).
Break load changed significantly in the placebo group (−10.8%) but not in the ch-OSA supplemented group (−2.20%). Break stress
and elastic modulus decreased in both groups but the change was smaller in the ch-OSA group. The cross sectional area increased
significantly after 9 months compared to baseline in ch-OSA supplemented subjects but not in the placebo group. The change
in urinary silicon excretion was significantly correlated with the change in cross sectional area. Oral intake of ch-OSA had
a positive effect on tensile strength including elasticity and break load and resulted in thicker hair.
Keywords Hair - Tensile strength - Choline-stabilized orthosilicic acid - Elasticity - Break load