Evaluation of Scalp and Hair Shaft With Biologic Markers in African American and Caucasian Hair

Inclusion Criteria:

• Must be willing to sign informed consent
• Female from the ages of 21-60 years
• Must be willing to have a thorough scalp and hair shaft examination
• Must be willing to discuss hair care regimen currently and in the past
• Must have washed hair at least 48 hours prior to initial study visit
• Pregnant and nursing females will not be allowed in the study; a baseline pregnancy test will be done to exclude pregnancy on females of childbearing potential
• Must be >6 months (26 weeks) postpartum
• Must have sufficient contrast between scalp skin color and hair color
• Must have hair at least 2 inches long
• May have mild itching and mild scaling of the scalp
• Must be willing to have hair clipped and shaved to 1mm within an approximately 2.5cm test site
• Must be in good stable general health, with no current infections.

Exclusion Criteria:

• May not have sewn-in or glued hair pieces or extensions at the time of the study
• Must not cut hair during the study
• Must not have hair loss beyond what is considered normal in the opinion of the Investigator at the time of the study
• Must not color hair or have other salon-type procedures (relaxer, permanent, highlighting, etc.) performed within 2 weeks of the initial visit
• Must not have any other underlying scalp disorder that could interfere with the test procedures or findings
• Must not have lost ≥10% of body weight within the past 12 months
• Must not have been on a weight reduction program overseen by a physician or nutritionist within the past 12 months
• Has used hair growth products e.g. minoxidil in the past 18 months
• Has undergone a hair transplant or scalp reduction surgery
• Has participated in a hair growth study within the past 15 months
• Is currently participating in another clinical study at this or any other facility
• Is taking, for a chronic condition, any prescription or over the counter medication(s) that in the opinion of the Investigator are likely to affect the hair properties (e.g. immunosuppressive agents, corticosteroids; or chronic use of anti-inflammatory medication)
• Application of any over-the-counter or prescription drug to the scalp on a routine basis within the past 3 months including but not limited to retinoids (e.g. retinal, tretinoin, retinyl palmitate, retinyl acetate, retinyl propionate), topical corticosteroids, benzyl peroxide, or any topical hormone therapy (e.g. Eterna 27)