Viviscal Oral Supplement for Women with Thinning Hair: Ablon 2012 Research Summary
This is a plain-language summary of the original published research. We do not add conclusions or opinions of our own. This is not medical advice — consult a certified healthcare practitioner before making any decision.
Original research published in Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2012
Viviscal Oral Supplement for Women with Thinning Hair: Ablon 2012 Research Summary
Study conclusion
This industry-funded double-blind placebo-controlled RCT of 60 women with self-perceived thinning hair found that the Viviscal supplement significantly increased terminal (thick, visible) hair count at 3 and 6 months compared to placebo. Terminal hair count increased by about 211% at 3 months and 225% at 6 months vs placebo. The trial was funded by the manufacturer of Viviscal.
Strength of evidence
Who it applies to
Who was studied
60 women with self-perceived thinning hair. Double-blind placebo-controlled design. 6-month treatment period.
Who was NOT studied
Men. Women with clinically confirmed and graded pattern hair loss. People with other types of hair loss.
What to look for when shopping
Viviscal is a multi-ingredient oral supplement available without prescription. It is not FDA-approved for hair loss. The trial was funded by the manufacturer. The ingredient list includes marine complex, biotin, vitamin C, niacin, and zinc.
What research cannot help you decide
How Viviscal compares to FDA-approved treatments like minoxidil in women with clinically confirmed pattern hair loss. Whether the very large effect size would replicate in an independent trial.
Key findings
- Terminal hair count increased by about 211% at 3 months in the Viviscal group vs placebo
- Terminal hair count increased by about 225% at 6 months in the Viviscal group vs placebo
- Volume, thickness, and scalp coverage scores also improved significantly
- The trial was funded by the Viviscal manufacturer
- Population was women with self-perceived thinning hair — not clinically confirmed pattern hair loss
What this study does not show
- 1.How Viviscal compares to FDA-approved treatments for women with clinically confirmed pattern hair loss.
- 2.Whether results would replicate in an independently-funded trial.
- 3.Whether the benefit applies to men or to women with clinically graded pattern hair loss.
Limitations
- 1.Industry-funded by the Viviscal manufacturer — high risk of positive result bias.
- 2.Only 60 participants.
- 3.Population was women with self-perceived thinning hair, not clinically confirmed and graded AGA.
- 4.The effect size (200%+ improvement) is unusually large and has not been independently replicated.
- 5.Viviscal is not FDA-approved for hair loss.
Used in these articles
Links added as fact-checks and articles citing this study are published.