Coenzyme Q10 has anti-aging effects on human hair

Int J Cosmet Sci. 2009 Apr;31(2):154-155.
Coenzyme Q10 has anti-aging effects on human hair.
Giesen M, Welß T, Zur Wiesche ES, Scheunemann V, Gruedl S, Oezkabakcioglu Y, Poppe E, Petersohn D.

Phenion GmbH & Co. KG, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany.

Ubiquinones are the most widespread and therefore best investigated bioquinones. Due to their hydrophobic isoprenoid side chain, ubiquinones can be solubilized in organic solvents or lipids but are insoluble in water. Using a specific emulsifier system it has been possible to deliver positive effects to biological systems also from aqueous formulations. Ubiquinone-50, also referred to as coenzyme Q10, is well known in cosmetic science and especially in skin care because of its antioxidant activity. It is found in the membranes of peroxisomes, lysosomes, vesicles, the endoplasmic reticulum and notably in the inner membrane of the mitochondrion, where it is an important part of the electron transport chain. Using coenzyme Q10 in the proposed emulsifier system we could show that the molecule not only has relevance as an anti-aging bioactive in skin care but also has positive effects on the human hair follicle. The hair follicle is a complex mini organ and synthesis of hair keratin, the major component of hair fibers, is an essential prerequisite for the growth of strong and healthy hair. But like all biological systems the hair follicle, the biologically active part of the hair, also undergoes an aging process associated among other things with a decline in certain hair keratins. Due to this age-related shift in basic structural proteins of the hair shaft, mature hair often becomes fragile and difficult to manage. Therefore it is a challenge for cosmetic science to provide bioactives to fight age-related changes and maintain a youthful appearance of hair. Using cultivated hair follicle keratinocytes we identified coenzyme Q10 as a potent bioactive that stimulates the gene expression of different hair keratins, especially those which are reduced during aging processes in hair follicles. These results led us to investigate a shampoo and a tonic formulation enriched with coenzyme Q10 in a placebo-controlled panel study. In a left/right comparison a group of healthy volunteers older than 40 years of age applied the formulations daily for 4 days. Throughout the test period the gene expression of different hair keratins from plucked hair follicles was determined using quantitative polymerase chain reaction techniques. Subsequent statistical analysis revealed an increase in age-relevant hair keratins in human hair roots treated with coenzyme Q10, thus pointing out the striking benefits of coenzyme Q10 in hair care formulations. We conclude that coenzyme Q10 is an ideal ingredient for hair care formulations, providing anti-aging properties through activation of specific keratins aligned with the needs of mature hair.

I would suggest using Ubiquinol form, as opposed to Ubiquinone. Ubiquinol is the active form and is considerably better.
The older you are, the less Ubiquinone is converted into Ubiquinol, or in the case of diseased states.

Oddly, today I picked some up at WF's after kicking myself for not including it in my order at iherb, just a gut feeling to get on it again, although the study clearly speaks of a topical application.

Yeah, we would have to make a topical with the stuff to mimic the study. Although internally it may do something as well.

How would we introduce this into our own topical? Would it work with the DMSO lithium preparation?

ganny - Co-Q10 isn't too practical for topical use. It's used for skin, but would seem cost prohibitive for the scalp.

Supplements it is...can you suggest a good brand?

ganny - Only one company makes Ubiquinol, so any brand will do. This one is a good value:

http://www.iherb.com/ProductDetails.aspx?pid=8211&at=0

CS,

2-3 caps per day with a meal?

RobHealthMan - One a day, how much were you thinking about taking?

You can also get it here (which is where I'm getting it) with free shipping and no tax in the US. If you buy 2 bottles, you get a bit of discount. I get my Acetyl L-Carnitine from this manufacturer which seems to be the best price on the market.

http://www.bestvite.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=727

How many of those capsules would you need to add to a topical? Would it work better topically than coq10?

CausticSymmetry wrote:RobHealthMan - One a day, how much were you thinking about taking?

hi CS,

one 1 mg tab a day would be fine!

i dont want to overdue any supps

RobHealthMan - How much Co-Q10 you take depends on your age and health.

More info here:

http://www.immortalhair.org/apps/blog/show/1653294-coenzyme-q10-has-anti-aging-effects-on-human-hair-

Hey CS-

I am 21 years old and I want to take CoQ10 or ubiquinol. Which one should I take and what is a good brand/value?

Thanks

1..... - 30 mg of regular CoQ10 is fine at your age.

What brand would you recommend CS?

1..... wrote:What brand would you recommend CS?

In case you missed it, someone else asked that exact question on the previous page and he answered it with a link...

that is ubiquinol the reduced form

The powdered ubiquinol ($49.75) is what the MSG forum uses. I have some but due to my age I notice much better benefits from the soy free ubiquinol.

http://www.easycart.net/BeyondACenturyInc.//Antioxidants.html#2032