Serum levels of minerals and vitamins in two categories of female alopecia subjects using hair relaxer

Abstract Background In an earlier study, we identified an association between hair relaxer-induced alopecia and decreased zinc levels. This study hopes to identify if age at first exposure to hair relaxer plays a role in the development of alopecia in the small percentage of women of African descent who use hair-relaxing products for hair-straightening purposes and develop lingering, nonresolving alopecia. Methods Two categories of subjects were recruited for the study. These groups—Group A and Group B—commenced use of hair relaxer in the second and third or fourth decade of life, respectively. Group C which served as the control group consisted of women who had used relaxer but did not manifest alopecia. Renal and hepatic indices as well as micronutrient levels were estimated in serum samples taken from these subjects. Data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis using Student t test, analysis of variance, and Pearson correlation coefficient. Results Of all the micronutrients, only zinc level was significantly decreased in the two categories of alopecia subjects compared with controls, and when the zinc levels of the two groups were compared, they were not significantly different. Age in association with an alteration in serum zinc status seemed to have played an independent or combined role as an etiologic factor in hair relaxer-induced alopecia in Group B subjects, as a positive correlation ( r = 0.631; p = 0.012) was observed between age and duration of alopecia; alopecia also commenced much earlier in the course of hair relaxer application in Group B compared with Group A. Conclusion This is probably an indication that early exposure may confer some forms of protection even in zinc-deficient individuals. Moreover, an assessment of serum zinc level in users of hair relaxer may be encouraged even before initial contact with this agent, such that women at risk could be advised to take zinc supplements.