Hair Loss from Squalene.

Abstract

Squalene, an unsaturated hydrocarbon, (isoprene polymer) occurring in normal human sebum, causes complete reversible local depilation in rabbits and guinea pigs after a single topical application. No hair loss was observed in mice. In vitro squalene inactivates the free -SH groups of glutathione, human epidermis and mouse liver and inhibits succinic de-hydrogenase activity of mouse liver. The depilatory and sulfhydryl inactivating effects of squalene are believed to be due to combination of the -SH groups with the -C=C- groups of squalene. The possibility must be seriously considered that squalene or a related unsaturated compound in sebum may influence human hair growth.