Pollution, wind, heat, cold, tobacco, poor diet, or even stress, various phenomena assault our hair on a daily basis. The consequences are numerous. To protect and strengthen one's hair, various precautions must be taken, including the adoption of a diet rich in omega-6. These fatty acids indeed have certain virtues for the hair. Here are a few.
What are the benefits of omega-6 for the hair?
Summary
Published on June 5, 2024, by Kahina, Scientific Editor — 4 min of reading
Themes:
Benefit No.1: Omega-6 fatty acids prevent hair loss and promote hair growth.
Consuming omega-6 could play a role in maintaining healthy hair, through various benefits. A study led by Antonella TOSTI aimed to evaluate, compared to a control group, the effects on hair loss of a six-month supplementation with omega-3 and -6 and specific antioxidants (460 mg of fish oil, 460 mg of blackcurrant seed oil) in one hundred and twenty women. After six months of treatment, photographic evaluation demonstrated superior improvement in the supplemented group. The percentage of telogen hairs (hairs that have fallen out) was significantly reduced in the supplemented group. The majority of the supplemented subjects reported a reduction in hair loss (89.9% of subjects at six months), as well as an improvement in hair diameter (86.1%) and hair density (87.3%).
These observed effects could have a significant correlation with the presence of omega-6. Indeed, another study led by Ohsang KWON examined the effect of arachidonic acid (an omega-6 fatty acid) on hair growth. The researchers found that arachidonic acid promoted the expression of several factors responsible for hair growth, notably Fibroblast Growth Factor 7 (FGF-7) and FGF-10. Furthermore, arachidonic acid significantly encouraged the elongation of the hair shaft, with an increased proliferation of keratinocytes (hair cells). It was also observed that it promoted hair growth by reducing and extending the growth phase of hair in mice in the telogen stage (the hair shedding stage).
The consumption of omega-6 can therefore act against hair loss by promoting their growth, through the increase in the expression of associated factors and the proliferation of keratinocytes.
Benefit No. 2: Omega-6 soothes scalp inflammation.
No study has proven an effect on the scalp specifically from the consumption of omega-6. However, anti-inflammatory effects on the skin from omega-6 supplementation have been demonstrated. The supplementation of omega-6, primarily in gamma-linolenic acid, and its ability to alleviate the signs and symptoms of the atopic dermatitis, an inflammatory skin disease that can appear on the scalp, has been studied in numerous studies. Among other things, it has been observed that the administration of oil rich in gamma-linolenic acid to patients with mild atopic dermatitis allowed a recovery of the skin barrier through a decrease in transepidermal water loss, and therefore a better skin hydration.
The potential generation of anti-inflammatory metabolites from omega-6 could provide a possible explanation. Indeed, gamma-linolenic acid enters the biosynthesis pathway of omega-6, which then leads to the production of metabolites that primarily play an anti-inflammatory role (PGE1 and 15-HETRE). PGE1 and 15-HETrE are known to inhibit the synthesis of pro-inflammatory eicosanoids.
These are merely assumptions.
Sources
TOSTI A. & al. Effect of a nutritional supplement on hair loss in women. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology (2015).
KWON O. & al. Role of arachidonic acid in promoting hair growth. Annals of Dermatology (2016).
MOKOS Z.B. & al. Omega-3 versus omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the prevention and treatment of inflammatory skin diseases. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2021).
