I'm writing some marketing materials for a haircare product that
contains vitamin E (tocopheral acetate).  Can topically applied
Vitamin E to your scalp and hair help hair?  If so, what are the
benefits.  Please be specific.  Can it help the hair shaft, scalp or
both?

Please provide sources of information such as clinical trials and
research.  Please don't submit your answer unless you've got good hard
evidence to back it up (i.e. not interested in website addresses).

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Request for Question Clarification by guillermo-ga on 30 Oct 2005 23:21 PST

Hello Kanjas-ga,

I'm trying to find the hard evidence you ask for. Since you said that
you don't want website adresses, I assume that you mean *unless* they
link to technical or scientific papers containing sound evidence.
Please let me know if I'm wrong.

Regards,

Guillermo

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Clarification of Question by kanjas-ga on 31 Oct 2005 13:30 PST

Hi Guillermo,

That's correct.  I've seen anwsers where references are being made to
mere opinion.  Unfortunately, when writing marketing copy and making
'claims' I need to be certain the source is verifiable and somewhat
credible.

Hope this helps.  Please post another message if this is not clear. 
And thanks for your effort.

Regards,
Kanjas

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Request for Question Clarification by guillermo-ga on 01 Nov 2005 00:35 PST

Hello Kanjas,

Thanks for your clarification. Unfortunatelly, after a several hours
search I did'n find academic or research documents about topical use
of vitamin E. Conversely, I did find such kind of information about
other uses or aspects of this vitamin, but none related to hair care.
So I give up, unless a new searching idea comes to my mind :)

Maybe another researcher gets it. Good luck.

Sincerely,

Guillermo

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Clarification of Question by kanjas-ga on 01 Nov 2005 17:22 PST

Hi Guillermo,

Thanks for your effort.

Regards,
Kanjas

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Request for Question Clarification by pafalafa-ga on 04 Nov 2005 18:29 PST

kanjas-ga,

I found one very credible paper in a scientific journal (from 2004)
that refers to topical vitamin E's "remarkable moisturizing effect". 
It is beneficial for a wide variety of skin conditions, and the
benefits stem not only from its moisturizing properties, but from its
role as an antioxidant, and from more subtle biological effects.

Another 2005 study notes that topical (and oral) vitamin E have 
"photoprotective, and skin barrier-stabilizing properties", but also
concludes that there is still very little firm clinical evidence as to
the benefits of Vitamin E.

As to the specifics about Vitamin E and hair, I must echo the comments
of my colleague, guillermo-ga...I have found nothing that directly
addresses this topic.

Would a summary of the above two papers be of use to you?  If so, let
me know how you suggest we proceed on this?


Cheers,

pafalafa-ga


However, there is very little beyond that one paper.  A very recent review paper

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Clarification of Question by kanjas-ga on 05 Nov 2005 04:39 PST

Hi pafalafa-ga,

Thank you for your comments and preliminery research.  This is greatly
APPRECIATED.  However, I am aware of benefits of Vitamin E (in its
various topically stable forms and orally) on the skin.

I was looking for specific benefits for hair.

So, PLEASE DON'T PROCEEED.

Warm Regards
Kanjas

I imagine you could find some data about topical use of vitamin E and
it's relationship to skin exfoliation, which on the head is called
"dandruff".  Dandruff is considered a hair issue.  Scientific evidence
of dandruff reduction is a significantly useful marketing tool for a
hair product.

I would furnish the documentation myself, but I'm waiting for Google
to start accepting applications for researchers again.