From the Department of Dermatology of the University of Tübingen,
Director: Professor Wilhelm Schneider, MD
Can hair colour and sebaceous
gland secretion be influenced by
oral Pantogar® medication?
Inaugural dissertation for conferral of a doctorate in dentistry
Submitted to the Faculty of Clinical Medicine of the Eberhard-Karls
University of Tübingen
by Martin Kauffmann from Stuttgart
1973
Dean: Prof. Dr. E. Körber
First referee: Prof. Dr. H. Tronnier
Second referee: Prof. Dr. W. Schneider
Dedicated in gratitude to my parents
Introduction
Hair has always had something magical about it. From the beginnings of human existence, hair has played
an important role among the peoples of the world. The ancient Germans used to cut off the hair as a sign
of subservience. The Greeks used to make hair sacrifices for the granting of citizenship, at the beginning of
wedding ceremonies and as a form of honour for the dead. In the Old Testament, Samson viewed his long
hair as a sign of vitality and consecration (Judges Chapter 16, verse 17).
Hair and skin care have taken on ever increasing importance in today’s society. The influence of the hair
on your head is not to be underestimated from a professional and psychological point of view. Apart from
decorative and preparative cosmetic measures, the treatment of disorders of scalp hair – which are caused
either by a defect in the extrafollicular part of the hair shaft or by a dysfunction of the hair-forming parts
of the skin – involves dermatological therapy. External preparations such as shampoo and hair tonic can
be used, which have local disinfectant, hyperaemic, keratolytic and antiseborrhoeic effects (24). However,
keratin and follicle production is primarily dependent on the haematogenic nutritional status, which can be
influenced by medication.
Pfitzer reports on the effect of an oral Pantogar® treatment on hair quality (23). The parameters used were
measuring procedures for investigating tensile strength, extension, tearing, swelling, and dye affinity (32,
33). His results showed a marked improvement in hair quality.
The objective of the present paper was to determine any possible change in hair colour and sebaceous
gland secretion as a result of Pantogar® medication.
The medication was administered to 12 persons at a dose of 3 x 4 sugar-coated tablets daily for 3 months.
One Pantogar®*) sugar-coated tablet contains:
Aneurinum hydrochloricum
Calcium-D pantothenate
Medicinal yeast mixture of
Saccharomyces Carlsbergensis (50 %)
and Saaccharomyces cerevisiae (50 %)
L-cystine
Keratin
Acidum para-aminobenzoicum
Excip. pro compr. obduct.
0.015 g
0.015 g
0.025 g
0.005 g
0.005 g
0.005 g
Influence on hair growth and hair colour
The objective here is only to go into the possible influencing factors of the substances contained in
Pantogar® and of certain vitamins. The spectrum of factors that affect hair growth is quite diverse. It ranges
from genetic determinants, environmental influences and diseases to the effects of direct sunlight, hormone
metabolism, vitamin availability and nutrition. Thus, heavy protein intake leads to lengthening of the hair and
inhibition of the medullary cells; a low-protein diet promotes the formation of the medullary cord (25).
SCHWEMMLER confirmed a favourable influence of vitamin A on hair and nail growth (29); high doses have
a negative effect in this respect (34). An increase in hair growth with doses of vitamin D2 was determined
by BEUTNAGEL and FRIEDERICH (3, 28). The blood cholesterol levels, which correlate with the skin
cholesterol secreted with the sebum, apparently increase (15, 5). This skin cholesterol is also attributed a
hair growth stimulating action (13). Vitamin B deficiency leads to the nails becoming brittle in pellagra; rats
show symmetrical hair loss.
Pantothenic acid, also termed vitamin B5, occupies the dominant position as the “hair vitamin” and “antigreying factor”. It is supposed to be effective against dandruff, greying and lack of glossiness (8, 4, 12, 22).
According to the investigations of JUON, the progression of certain hair disorders that are regarded as
incurable, such as alopecia seborrhoica in men or pseudopelade of Brocq, can at least be interrupted, if
not stopped altogether (14, 9).
According to BEIGLBOCK and CLATTEN, after intravenous administration of pantothenic acidified calcium,
the sugar metabolism is characterised by an increase in blood sugar levels and the lipid metabolism by an
increase in cholesterol values and decrease in ester fractions and fatty acids (2).
Beside copper (15), p-amino benzoic acid is regarded as an activator of pigmentation. A darkening of the
hair was also described by ZARAFONETIS after intensive treatment with p-amino benzoic acid (35). It was
also capable of lightening nutrition-related greying in mice (1).
Hormonal factors to be mentioned in relation to pigmentation are MSH, thyroid hormones and NNR
hormones (6, 12, 25).
The secretion of sebum
Sebaceous glands develop in the second foetal month (16). They can occur freely or bound to hair follicles.
Their mode of secretion is holo- and merocrine (6, 10).
Little is known about the physiology of sebum secretion; the fat available on the skin is probably a major
determinant. The secretion of sebum is dependent on age, air temperature and sex (7).
The cutaneous fat contains 20 – 40 % free fatty acids with chain lengths of C7 to C22. In first place are the
chains C14, C16 and C18; free and esterified fatty acids make up 2/3 of the cutaneous fat. It also contains
wax alcohols, sterols (cholesterol and dihydrocholesterol) and carbohydrates (7.5 % of total cutaneous fat;
2/3 of this is made up of squalene, an intermediate product of cholesterol synthesis) (2, 18, 21, 30).
The physiological importance of the fatty film is to be seen, among other things, in the fact that it is needed
to wet the hydrophobic keratins of the skin (27).
Methodology
M
Methodology for determining hair colour measurements
1) The principle of hair colour measurement
The method described here was used to test how the human hair changes in colour intensity after the
intake of Pantogar®. It should be mentioned that this is not a colour measurement in the true sense. This
would namely require a measurement dependent on the wavelength. Rather, a difference in colour intensity
of the individual hair was to be measured, in other words it is not a question of a shift into another spectral
range, as occurs when hair is dyed. This colour intensity, as an expression of percentage light absorption
is simply measured with a microscope with a photoelectric cell inserted into its beam path. The hair must
be arranged in such a way that it completely covers the receptor field of the photoelectric cell.
The photoelectric current produced is read by an ammeter. This means that it can be used as an objective
measure of the light absorption of individual hairs.
2) Material
Since hairs have a great variability in colour, cross-section and thickness, even in a single individual, they
were sampled as test material from the various test subjects close to the scalp and always from the same
area of the scalp (above the ear). This ensured a true basis for comparison before and after medication.
3) The microscopic specimen
At least 10 hairs (13 – 15 were usually used) from one subject were fixed to a strip of sticking plaster with
the 2-mm long scalp end of the hair, with a separation of 2 mm between each hair. The plaster was stuck to
a microscope slide. After ensuring that the hairs were parallel and flat, a second strip of plaster was stuck
over them, with a separation of about 3.5 cm. The hairs were measured at approx. 0.5 cm and approx. 2.5 cm
from the scalp.
Fig. 1: Sampling of the hairs with the microscope at a separation of 0.5 cm and 2.5 cm.
4) Experimental design
The measurement of hair colour was conducted according to the method of TRONNIER and KUHNBUSSIUS (33). A “Dialux” universal microscope (Leitz) with an attached micro-photoelectric system was
used. The light is first passed through the eyepiece. A crosshair becomes visible in a square. The human
hair is adjusted so that it completely fills the square; after switching to the photoelectric cell, this field
corresponds to the photosensitive area.
5) Calibration and measurement description
The transformer and ammeter are switched on and allowed to warm up for 15 minutes.
0-point calibration: The switch is set to 100-fold magnification. The dark current is then compensated for
and the 0-point of the scale is adjusted.
100-point calibration: The 100 scale graduations of the ammeter were used for the brightness value 100
without an object. For adjusting this point, the lens for oil immersion and the slide with oil are placed in the
beam path in the same arrangement as when the individual hairs are measured, except that there is no hair
in the beam path; this is best achieved by pushing the slide until the hair disappears from the field of vision
and adjusting 100 scale graduations with a screen in the beam path. Once calibration has been performed,
a hair is pushed into the beam path and the photoelectric current is measured on the magneto-electric
instrument as a measure of transparency.
This method offers the following advantages:
• All 100 scale graduations are available for the hair colour intensity, since the absorption of the slide and
oil are not included in the measurement. Oil was used to prevent the different fat levels of the hair having
any effect on the measurement.
• By pushing the hair out of the field of vision, re-calibration can be performed at any time, without
removing the slide. Precisely such constant calibration control is necessary for sensitive equipment.
• The calibration points are reproducible; this is necessary to make it possible to compare measurements
at different times. When kept constant, this method provides objective results.
Methodology for determining hair colour measurements
The method of STRAUSS and POCHI for the quantitative determination of sebaceous gland secretion in
human skin (31) is commonly used and modified. Here, cigarette paper is pressed onto the forehead and
the fat absorbed by the paper is extracted and weighed.
SCHAEFER and KUHN-BUSSIUS described another method (26). It exploits the effect that greased milk
glass is more transparent than fat-free glass. Milk glass platelets roughened on one side, measuring 12 x 15
mm, are used for measurement.
1) Test description
The glass platelets were cleaned in the solvent series distilled water – ethanol – acetone – ether for 10
minutes each. The transmission of each platelet was then determined in a Zeiss spectrophotometer at 460
nm. This yielded a blank value for each platelet. The smooth side of four platelets was stuck to a strip of
sticky tape, after their blank value had been determined. The strip was turned the other way around, with
the rough side of the platelets to the skin, weighted down with 1000 g and left in place for 30 seconds. The
transmission of the greased platelets was now determined. The transmission difference, blank value minus
fat value, corresponded to the fat secretion.
2) The measurement process
Zero adjustment
Darken receiver (cuvette slide to black)
Wavelength adjustment (460 nm)
Measurement
Place the reference cuvette in the light path
Set 100 scale graduation display
Place the sample in the light path
Read off degree of transmission
3) Calibration
The zero adjustment is done by closing the monochromator gap (cuvette slide to black). The left-hand
rotary switch is set with the pointer at 45° upwards to the right. At the zero point corrector, the scale is
set to 0.
For 100-point adjustment, the rotary switch is set with the pointer at 45° upwards to the right. Since the unit
measures samples against an optical blank or less dense standard, the platelets greased with Vaseline were
inserted into the last cuvette compartment and set to 100 scale graduations on the right-hand regulation
switch.
In a preliminary experiment, I tested the Vaseline-treated platelets, which were intended for adjusting
the second calibration point, against the optically blank standard (nothing in the beam path = 100 scale
graduations). The different Vaseline-treated platelets differed considerably in their transparency. One and
the same platelet changed its transmission from approx. 50 to 70 scale graduations and more within a few
minutes. This is caused by the heating up of the Vaseline when exposed to light. Its surface becomes more
smooth, the scattered light is reduced and consequently transmission is increased.
For this reason, I took a tinted glass platelet as a reference basis that remains truly constant, which had a
value of 63 scale graduations against the optical blank at 460 nm; this corresponded to the transmission
value of an “average Vaseline platelet”.
This platelet was set to the standard 100. The transmission of all other platelets before and after greasing
was measured against this.
This method yields precise measurement values, because it allows the fixation of the calibration points,
their maintenance as a constant and their reproducibility.
Fig. 2: Increase in transmission of a Vaseline-treated platelet from 50 to 70 at a standard of 100
in the optically blank field.
Fig. 3: If this platelet is maintained as the standard 100, there is a flattening out of the calibration curve
with an increase in its transmission; one measurement sample consequently yields differing values.
Results
R
Tables 1- 3 show the results of the sebum secretion measurements. Measurements were made before
Pantogar® intake, after one month and after three months.
Tables 4 -16 show the results of the measurements of hair transparency. Measurements were made before
Pantogar® intake, after one month’s and after three months’ intake.
The change in transparency of the hair is presented as a graph in Figure 4.
The measurement of cutaneous fat is presented as a graph in Fig. 5.
Table 1: Measurement of sebaceous gland secretion; transmission was measured before and after greasing
of the glass platelets
Before P. intake
After one month
After three months
Glass
platelets
Blank
value
Fat value
Diff.
Blank
value
Fat value
Diff.
Blank
value
Fat value
Diff.
1
43.5
57.0
13.5
47.5
59.0
11.5
43.0
53.5
10.5
2
47.0
58.5
11.5
53.5
59.0
5.5
52.5
58.0
5.5
3
41.0
53.6
12.6
54.5
63.0
8.5
47.0
58.0
11.0
4
47.5
60.5
13.0
51.0
63.0
12.0
49.0
59.0
10.0
5
48.5
79.0
30.5
47.5
58.5
11.0
34.0
63.0
29.0
6
50.5
84.0
33.5
47.5
63.0
15.5
46.0
63.0
17.0
7
51.0
75.5
24.5
51.5
57.5
6.0
49.0
66.0
17.0
8
44.8
79.0
34.2
50.5
62.0
11.5
51.0
71.0
20.0
9
47.5
62.0
14.5
48.5
76.0
27.5
42.0
82.0
40.0
10
51.0
66.0
15.0
52.0
59.5
7.5
49.0
78.0
29.0
11
51.5
64.5
13.0
52.5
70.0
17.5
50.0
67.0
17.0
12
48.0
74.0
26.0
49.5
66.0
16.5
49.5
64.0
14.5
13
47.0
54.0
7.0
47.0
53.5
6.5
46.0
61.0
15.0
14
50.5
53.5
3.0
53.0
55.0
2.0
48.5
56.0
7.5
15
50.5
53.0
2.5
53.0
56.5
3.5
48.0
56.0
8.0
16
43.0
59.5
16.5
47.0
49.5
2.5
49.5
62.0
12.5
Table 2: Measurement of sebaceous gland secretion; transmission was measured
before and after greasing of the glass platelets
Before P. intake
After one month
After three months
Glass
platelets
Blank
value
Fat value
Diff.
Blank
value
Fat value
Diff.
Blank
value
Fat value
Diff.
17
44.0
101.5
57.5
48.5
80.0
31.5
47.5
64.0
16.5
18
43.5
106.5
63.0
48.5
90.0
41.5
51.0
85.0
34.0
19
45.5
101.5
56.0
52.5
93.5
41.0
47.5
77.5
30.0
20
48.5
106.0
57.5
52.0
70.0
18.0
51.0
83.0
32.0
21
46.0
55.5
9.5
53.0
75.0
22.0
41.0
78.0
37.0
22
50.5
57.5
7.0
48.5
79.0
30.5
45.0
85.0
40.0
23
50.2
53.0
2.8
52.0
72.0
20.0
49.0
75.0
26.0
24
48.5
61.5
13.0
53.0
71.5
18.5
50.0
80.0
30.0
25
48.0
56.5
8.5
50.5
61.0
10.5
49.0
56.0
7.0
26
51.0
60.0
9.0
53.0
66.0
13.0
48.5
59.0
10.5
27
49.5
50.5
1.0
52.5
68.0
15.5
48.5
65.0
16.5
28
50.0
56.5
6.5
51.5
65.0
13.5
49.5
62.0
12.5
29
48.0
65.0
17.0
48.5
49.0
0.5
48.5
52.0
3.5
30
49.4
64.0
14.6
53.0
54.0
1.0
51.0
54.0
3.0
31
51.2
66.0
14.8
53.5
56.0
2.5
50.0
55.0
5.0
32
49.0
71.5
22.5
56.5
64.0
7.5
49.5
52.0
2.5
Table 3: Measurement of sebaceous gland secretion; transmission was
measured before and after greasing of the glass platelets
Before P. intake
After one month
After three months
Glass
platelets
Blank
value
Fat value
Diff.
Blank
value
Fat value
Diff.
Blank
value
Fat value
Diff.
33
46.5
64.0
17.5
49.5
68.0
18.5
45.0
54.0
9.0
34
50.0
65.0
15.0
52.0
63.0
11.0
46.0
55.5
9.5
35
50.5
77.0
26.5
51.0
68.0
17.0
50.0
59.0
9.0
36
51.0
69.0
18.0
49.0
59.5
10.5
48.5
55.0
6.5
37
49.2
64.5
15.3
50.0
82.0
32.0
45.0
77.0
32.0
38
50.0
57.5
7.5
49.0
73.5
24.5
46.5
59.0
12.5
39
48.5
63.5
15.0
53.5
54.0
0.5
51.0
80.0
29.0
40
18.0
63.5
15.5
54.5
64.0
9.5
49.5
70.0
20.5
41
45.5
53.5
8.0
49.0
49.0
0.0
47.0
55.0
8.0
42
45.0
57.0
12.0
54.0
54.5
0.5
49.5
58.0
8.5
43
49.0
67.5
18.5
53.0
54.0
1.0
50.5
63.0
13.0
44
50.0
54.5
4.5
51.5
53.0
1.5
52.0
60.0
8.0
45
47.5
53.0
5.5
51.5
51.5
0.0
48.5
53.0
4.5
46
50.0
55.0
5.0
53.0
53.0
0.0
47.0
59.0
12.0
47
51.0
52.0
1.0
54.0
54.5
0.5
51.5
59.0
7.5
48
50.5
56.0
5.5
53.5
53.5
0.0
51.0
55.0
4.0
Table 4: Transparency of the hair
Measurement of hair colour
Before P. intake
After one month
After three months
Hair
0.5 cm
2.5 cm
0.5 cm
2.5 cm
0.5 cm
2.5 cm
1
29
34
31
36
45
44
2
36
42
34
48
65
54
3
32
44
33
37
45
48
4
39
36
59
55
43
37
5
45
41
38
40
61
55
6
33
18
54
42
38
37
7
34
36
53
53
48
43
8
33
35
34
48
51
44
9
47
33
42
45
60
55
10
40
47
42
46
55
54
11
38
46
56
50
47
41
12
Average
36.91
40.18
42.00
45.00
51.17
46.83
Table 5: Transparency of the hair
Hair
0.5 cm
2.5 cm
0.5 cm
2.5 cm
0.5 cm
2.5 cm
1
26
35
36
39
27
28
2
26
43
24
23
30
35
3
35
37
26
34
15
18
4
41
18
27
34
35
30
5
37
19
25
30
31
25
6
22
25
23
17
29
30
7
22
19
21
16
34
32
8
30
30
83
91
31
27
9
21
19
30
26
29
27
10
38
30
26
29
47
41
11
91
95
36
38
36
33
12
51
52
28
32
27
24
13
32
34
36
29
Average
36.31
35.08
31.31
29.15
32.08
32.42
Table 6: Transparency of the hair
Measurement of hair colour
Before P. intake
After one month
After three months
Hair
0.5 cm
2.5 cm
0.5 cm
2.5 cm
0.5 cm
2.5 cm
1
55
63
49
49
45
49
2
96
95
97
95
30
32
3
97
98
94
95
39
39
4
76
92
21
25
37
34
5
98
87
96
97
98
98
6
97
83
98
96
30
33
7
96
79
61
83
3
39
8
38
42
96
97
98
95
9
37
48
31
34
98
98
10
63
68
27
34
11
95
92
29
32
12
94
94
20
21
13
37
45
14
33
43
15
37
28
16
21
20
Average
78.50
78.42
71.44
74.56
44.81
46.25
Table 7: Transparency of the hair
Hair
0.5 cm
2.5 cm
0.5 cm
2.5 cm
0.5 cm
2.5 cm
1
92
91
96
94
29
36
2
95
96
34
30
32
36
3
34
37
97
96
44
50
4
93
98
95
96
59
62
5
96
98
50
43
98
96
6
91
94
40
39
37
47
7
49
56
29
36
38
44
8
76
86
40
37
33
37
9
52
56
27
24
40
38
10
97
96
30
28
32
38
11
31
30
33
28
95
94
12
36
36
18
22
31
42
13
47
38
45
50
28
39
14
53
46
Average
67.29
68.43
48.77
47.92
45.85
50.69
Table 8: Transparency of the hair
Measurement of hair colour
Before P. intake
After one month
After three months
Hair
0.5 cm
2.5 cm
0.5 cm
2.5 cm
0.5 cm
2.5 cm
1
51
59
46
30
32
34
2
54
52
51
38
31
30
3
58
74
40
34
66
42
4
51
52
47
36
29
29
5
57
56
31
28
43
36
6
72
65
56
58
57
62
7
45
53
44
388
37
29
8
54
64
29
34
53
47
9
28
35
40
27
51
47
10
54
48
39
42
27
26
11
63
56
45
27
12
32
27
51
47
13
47
47
14
49
47
15
56
56
16
34
32
17
37
31
Average
52.4
55.8
43.16
37.33
43.82
39.35
Table 9: Transparency of the hair
Hair
0.5 cm
2.5 cm
0.5 cm
2.5 cm
0.5 cm
2.5 cm
1
36
40
50
30
29
26
2
27
27
56
25
27
29
3
31
34
27
29
44
39
4
40
40
24
24
30
33
5
48
40
23
23
32
28
6
32
35
49
43
40
31
7
24
37
32
24
45
35
8
33
35
19
20
21
25
9
24
41
47
43
46
36
10
37
45
36
27
36
35
11
30
33
29
29
26
32
12
33
35
30
32
38
37
29
31
34.08
32.08
13
Average
34.58
36.83
35.17
29.08
Table 10: Transparency of the hair
Measurement of hair colour
Before P. intake
After one month
After three months
Hair
0.5 cm
2.5 cm
0.5 cm
2.5 cm
0.5 cm
2.5 cm
1
53
52
55
60
25
22
2
35
34
27
25
60
46
3
38
42
32
30
38
45
4
31
33
29
35
34
28
5
54
61
28
28
36
42
6
35
33
36
33
49
32
7
36
37
28
25
44
46
8
27
32
43
32
32
34
9
42
38
65
43
26
25
10
33
37
40
41
48
39
11
31
28
54
47
29
25
33
33
12
Average
37.73
38.82
39.73
36.27
37.83
34.75
Table 11: Transparency of the hair
Hair
0.5 cm
2.5 cm
0.5 cm
2.5 cm
0.5 cm
2.5 cm
1
25
23
43
36
21
24
2
39
32
16
15
17
19
3
25
32
14
15
22
19
4
51
55
19
25
21
25
5
40
38
19
19
30
18
6
64
50
25
29
25
29
7
26
22
28
26
44
42
8
24
20
21
21
62
50
9
23
25
30
35
16
15
10
20
18
34
30
23
16
11
42
43
27
21
27
20
12
31
30
22
24
13
12
Average
34.17
32.33
24.83
24.67
26.67
24.08
Table 12: Transparency of the hair
Measurement of hair colour
Before P. intake
After one month
After three months
Hair
0.5 cm
2.5 cm
0.5 cm
2.5 cm
0.5 cm
2.5 cm
1
48
46
43
46
48
44
2
46
32
44
48
44
42
3
37
35
26
27
45
41
4
43
37
36
23
45
42
5
39
30
38
40
47
49
6
40
38
43
37
48
49
7
46
40
38
40
47
42
8
42
39
44
62
25
28
9
32
44
47
47
32
30
10
36
52
33
39
45
50
11
62
49
40
22
54
53
12
51
53
53
46
52
41
13
Average
43.50
41.25
39.27
39.18
45.00
42.85
Table 13: Transparency of the hair
Hair
0.5 cm
2.5 cm
0.5 cm
2.5 cm
0.5 cm
2.5 cm
1
37
35
45
47
18
18
2
28
36
39
29
34
26
3
51
53
24
29
30
45
4
43
40
38
34
31
32
5
34
36
44
30
20
17
6
31
25
18
20
34
33
7
46
31
25
31
23
20
8
37
63
43
36
31
28
9
47
44
38
25
24
27
10
69
64
52
53
25
25
11
49
64
20
20
Average
42.91
44.64
26.36
26.45
36.60
33.40
Table 14: Transparency of the hair
Measurement of hair colour
Before P. intake
After one month
After three months
Hair
0.5 cm
2.5 cm
0.5 cm
2.5 cm
0.5 cm
2.5 cm
1
43
40
32
28
50
52
2
58
48
42
49
36
29
3
50
49
33
31
33
33
4
49
53
33
41
45
38
5
34
35
44
35
42
45
6
40
43
33
35
35
31
7
51
58
39
59
43
37
8
39
39
30
34
43
45
9
35
43
26
25
33
42
10
56
48
42
47
43
45
11
55
52
26
31
12
66
66
31
35
13
50
55
Average
48.15
48.38
35.40
38.40
38.33
38.58
Table 15: Transparency of the hair
Hair
0.5 cm
2.5 cm
0.5 cm
2.5 cm
0.5 cm
2.5 cm
1
47
46
75
69
56
59
2
48
58
62
52
64
59
3
88
76
67
55
51
50
4
55
54
65
47
57
57
5
61
57
66
55
56
53
6
70
88
57
56
59
62
7
53
54
57
52
66
66
8
67
60
72
73
48
55
9
66
60
68
83
40
49
10
60
61
64
65
46
50
Average
61.50
61.40
65.30
60.70
54.30
56.00
Table 16: Transparency of the hair
Measurement of hair colour
Before P. intake
After one month
After three months
Hair
0.5 cm
2.5 cm
0.5 cm
2.5 cm
0.5 cm
2.5 cm
1
62
50
61
57
44
43
2
61
66
55
59
60
44
3
58
59
34
38
59
61
4
55
52
29
30
44
41
5
40
41
26
31
38
34
6
43
45
33
35
32
30
7
52
52
38
37
54
48
8
40
49
36
30
54
48
9
65
67
32
33
38
34
10
50
54
39
41
11
52
56
22
32
Average
52.55
53.73
36.82
38.45
47.00
42.56
Testing of significance
Testing the significance of sebum secretion
A two-fold analysis of variance* was performed. The measurement value was the secretion of sebum.
Model equation:
where ␣ (time) = 3 points
ß (person) = 12 persons
j = 4 measurement values per cell
Time is a fixed factor. The persons are chance factors.
Results of the analysis of variance:
1. The persons as a whole show significant interindividual differences.
2. The interaction between time dependency and person shows significant differences
3. The various different time-points only show chance deviations
* At this point, I would like to thank Prof. Dr. Geppert, Director of the Institute of Medical
Biometrics/Tübingen, for planning the analysis of variance
Table 17: x, s2, s, s x of the sebum secretion measurements
Time-point
I
x = arithmetic mean
2
s = variance
s = standard deviation
s x = standard deviation of the means
II
III
1.711.041
120.625
1.589.583
22.247.329
11.919.813
11.644.636
1.491.553
1.091.778
1.079.103
215.287
157.584
155.755
Testing the significance of the transparency of the hair
A four-fold analysis of variance with a hierarchical structure was performed. The measurement value was
the transparency of the hair.
Model equation:
Since there was an unequal number of measurements per person and time-point, it was reduced to the
same number per person using random numbers.
There are two separations present (0.5 cm and 2.5 cm), three time-points (before intake, after one and three
months of Pantogar®) and 13 persons with 9 to 13 hairs per person and time-point.
Results of the analysis of variance:
1. The time-points show significant differences. In other words, there was a marked difference between at
least one time-point and another. The transparency of the hair is thus not always the same.
From the respective means, it can be seen that there is a drop in the transparency values from time-point
one to time-points two and three.
2. The persons show significant interindividual differences. The same applies to the cells (repeat tests).
3. All other possible interactions, such as the separations, do not show any significant differences.
Table 18: x, s 2, s, s x of the hair transparency measurements
Time-point
Separation
I
0.5 cm
II
2.5 cm
0.5 cm
III
2.5 cm
0.5 cm
2.5 cm
x
4.741.726
4.785.611
4.180.575
4.063.309
4.097.122
3.970.503
s2
37.421.593
37.558.784
35.740.402
37.282.817
26.076.728
24.838.338
s
1.934.466
1.938.008
1.890.513
1.930.875
1.614.829
1.576.018
sx
164.079
164.379
160.351
163.774
136.968
133.676
Fig. 4: Presentation of the “hair colour means” with standard deviation
Fig. 5: Presentation of the means (M’, M’’, M’’’) of the cutaneous fat and the standard deviation
Discussion
The means of the cutaneous fat measurement were much lower after one month’s Pantogar® intake than
before. They increased again after three months’ intake (Fig. 5). The temperature was taken into account in
the measurements. The glass platelet method described yields reliable results. The very large quantitative
individual differences in cutaneous fat must be given particular attention. A possible decrease in cutaneous
fat is completely overshadowed by the large spread. In order to make a precise statement about the change
in sebum secretion, a relatively large number of subjects would have to be investigated, as a result of the
large spread.
Another possible way of making a statement about sebum secretion would be via re-greasing of the skin
after prior de-greasing. It would be conceivable that the interindividual difference and thus the spread would
be smaller.
Figure 4 shows that the hair becomes darker under the influence of Pantogar®. The differences in the colour
values are significant. They could be explained by the incorporation of a dye or by true pigmentation. An
autoxidative colouration is known of some aromatic amines. p-aminobenzoic acid may also act in this way.
Pantothenic acid also comes into question as a further cause of the deepening in colour. The true cause of
the darkening of the hair cannot be stated within the context of this paper.
The subsequent oxidative darkening of an incorporated substance would cause the hair to darken starting
from the scalp and progressing to the tip of the hair. The measurement values at two separations on each
hair did not produce any significant differences. This question could be decided by investigating hair from
different persons with more or less the same colour at two separations. This would also make the spread
smaller (Table 18), so that the small colour differences on two hair sections would lead to significant
differences between each other.
The varying effect of the medication on the hair and sebaceous glands is consistent with the current opinion
that, in the case of seborrhoeic hair loss, at least hair loss and the sebum production rate are not causally
connected in any way (8, 19).
Conclusion
C
The present study investigated whether the transparency of human hair and the secretion of sebum change
under the influence of Pantogar®.
There are individual differences in both parameters. In the case of sebum secretion, a decrease could not
be demonstrated.
The transparency of the hair was already lower after one month’s Pantogar® intake than before. After three
months, the hair became somewhat darker.
The individual measurement data were analysed biometrically. The results are statistically verified.
References
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I would like to thank Professor Dr. W. Schneider, Director of the Department of Dermatology of the
University of Tübingen, for allowing me to conduct the experimental part of this study in his department.
I am extremely grateful to Professor Dr. H. Tronnier for entrusting me with this subject and for his valuable
help and support.
Curriculum vitae
I, Martin Kauffmann, was born on 22 May 1947, as the only son of my father, August Kauffmann, and his
wife Toni, née Hamm, in Stuttgart.
After the primary school years (1954 to 1958) in Renningen, I attended the Albert-Schweitzer Grammar
School in Leonberg from 1958 onwards; I passed my advanced school leaving certificate here in the autumn
of 1966. I then completed 15 months of national service.
In the summer semester of 1968, I started the study of dentistry. I passed the preliminary examination in
the natural sciences on 20 March 1969 and the preliminary examination in dentistry on 6 October 1970.
On 26 June 1973, I completed my studies with the state examinations and received my licence to practice
dentistry.