Learn About Vitamin E

Introduction

Vitamin E addresses multiple hair loss mechanisms, ’2 - Oxidation’, ’3 - Inflam-
mation’ and ’8 - Scalp Dryness’, and is will tolerated topically in it’s D-Alpha
form [7].

Mechanism of Action

• 2 - Oxidation: Lipid peroxidation can occur from particulate pollutants
or from UV (Ultraviolet exposure), Vitamin E neutralises these oxidants
([33], [39], [20] )

• 3 - Inflammation: Vitamin E has been found to decrease the release
of pro inflammatory cytokines including IL-8 and via it’s anti-oxidant
effects others such as IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α ([32], [41], [15], [17]), though
it’s recognised that additional work is needed to better understand the
mechanisms of action.

• 8 - Scalp Dryness: Vitamin E is a known emollient, so its expected to
improve hydration though direct research on this is sparse, improved skin
barrier has been reported in literature along with reductions in transepi-
dermal water loss ([24], [35],[34]).

Supporting Research

[33] - ”Vitamin E as the biological lipid antioxidant” (1962)
[39] - ”Vitamin E slows the rate of free radical-mediated lipid peroxidation in
cells” (1996)
[20] - ”Effects of vitamin E on lipid peroxidation in healthy persons” (2001)
[7] - ”Photodamage of the skin: protection and reversal with topical antioxi-
dants” (2004)
[24] - ”Changes in basal cell mitosis and transepidermal water loss in skin cul-
tures treated with vitamins C and E” (2005)
[32] - ”Vitamin E, oxidative stress, and inflammation” (2005)
[35] - ”Vitamin E in human skin: organ-specific physiology and considerations
for its use in dermatology” (2007)
[41] - ”Age-associated changes in immune and inflammatory responses: impact
of vitamin E intervention” (2008)
[15] - ”Natural forms of vitamin E: metabolism, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory
activities and their role in disease prevention and therapy” (2014)
[17] - ”Regulatory role of vitamin E in the immune system and inflammation”
(2019)
[34] - ”Vitamin E in atopic dermatitis: from preclinical to clinical studies” (2021)