Effect of a sphingolipid-mimetic compound on the promotion of hair growth: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial

Background Pattern hair loss is a very common skin disorder, but more therapeutic modalities for hair growth are still required. Objective We investigated the effect of a newly synthesized sphingolipid-mimetic compound (pseudo-ceramide: bis-oleamide isopropyl alcohol [BOI]) on the promotion of hair growth for patients with mild pattern hair loss. Methods A total of 58 patients with mild pattern hair loss participated in this clinical trial. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted for 6 months. Participants in the experimental group applied 1% BOI lotion (ceramide HS) on the whole scalp once a day for 6 months. Participants in the control group applied simulacrum using the same protocol. We evaluated daily hair loss, hair density, hair thickness, and hair length at intervals of 3 months; patient satisfaction and adverse events were evaluated at 6 months. Results At 6 months in the experimental group, daily hair loss at baseline (52.52 +/- 33.98) decreased to 40.41 +/- 24.78, vertex hair density at baseline (131.07 +/- 43.73) increased to 156.00 +/- 39.59, frontal hair density at baseline (104.21 +/- 30.72) increased to 124.10 +/- 28.28, thickness of vertex hair at baseline (0.067 +/- 0.012 cm) increased to 0.075 +/- 0.014 cm, thickness of frontal hair at baseline (0.070 +/- 0.009 cm) increased to 0.076 +/- 0.012 cm, and hair growth rate was 16.17 +/- 1.89 mm/month. Conclusion Ceramide HS may be a new candidate for the treatment of pattern hair loss.