Citations from researchers are what convinces me, or at least lends some credence to statements. Anecdotal statements and observations are used for things not studied. If you have information on such studies on Vitamin E and hair growth, please share it with the viewers. We would be interested to take a look.
It really does sound like you went through three hair growth cycles and the laser hit all the growing hair as it was meant, too.
Here is some information about Vitamin E from Skin and Allergy News :
"DR. LESLIE BAUMANN is director of cosmetic dermatology at the University of Miami. Melissa Lazarus, a research fellow at the university, contributed to the column. To respond to this column, write to Dr. Baumann at our editorial offices.
Vitamin E is frequently found in cosmeceutical products. It functions as a preservative, has excellent moisturizing capabilities, and has been promoted most recently for its photoprotective effects. However, its use has been also associated with a high incidence of contact dermatitis.
Vitamin E includes the tocopherols and the tocotrienols. It is found naturally in many vegetables, corn, oils, seeds, soy, wholewheat flour, nuts, and margarine. It is also found in some meat and dairy products.
The biologically active forms are α-tocopherol and γ-tocopherol; free dα-tocopherol is the most biologically active form. These forms act as lipid-soluble antioxidants.
Vitamin E is found naturally in the membranes of cells and organelles. It protects cell membranes from peroxidation and scavenges free radicals; therefore, it is believed to help prevent cardiovascular disease and the “aging” of the arteries.
While studies outside the field of dermatology have convincingly suggested the benefits of oral vitamin E supplementation, the dermatologic benefits are still unknown.
A study by Dr. Karla Werninghaus and her colleagues at Boston University showed that oral supplementation with 400 IU vitamin E was not photoprotective in humans and did not increase vitamin E levels in skin biopsy specimens after 1 month and 6 months of supplementation (Arch. Dermatol. 130[10]:1257-61, 1994).
Conversely, a study by C. Weber and colleagues at the University of California, Berkeley, showed that vitamin E levels were depleted in animal skin exposed to UV radiation, and this depletion was prevented by the topical application of vitamin E (Free Radic. Biol. Med. 22[5]:761-69, 1997).
Further, a study by Beth Anne Jurkiewicz and her colleagues at the University of Iowa, Iowa City, showed that topical tocopherol provided significant protection against UV-radiation-induced damage to animal skin (J. Invest. Dermatol. 104[4]:484-88, 1995).
While it has been suggested that topical application of α-tocopherol confers an SPF of 3 after multiple applications, this effect is believed to be due to its ability to marginally absorb light (Cosmet. Dermatol. 12[9]:17-20, 1999).
Inhibition of UV-induced skin erythema and edema with the use of topical vitamin E has not been shown in human skin. If vitamin E provides any photoprotective effect at all, it may require interaction with other antioxidants to do so, particularly since other antioxidants (such as vitamin C, selenium, and thiols) are essential for the recycling of tocopherol.
It has also been suggested that vitamin E may exert anti-inflammatory effects on the skin through the inhibition of chemical mediator production and release. Vitamin E stabilizes lysosomes, reduces prostaglandin E2 synthesis, and increases interleukin-2 production. This results in anti-inflammatory and immunostimulatory effects (J. Am. Acad. Dermatol. 39[4, pt. 1]:611-25, 1998).
Topically applied vitamin E has been associated with several different adverse reactions at the application site, including contact urticaria, eczematous dermatitis, and erythema multiforme-like reactions (Cutis 47[3]:193-96, 1991).
While the majority of these adverse reaction reports are anecdotal, a study conducted by M. Jenkins and colleagues at the Shriners Burn Institute in Cincinnati on the use of topical vitamin E for postoperative scarring showed that local reactions occurred in 20% of cases (J. Burn Care Rehabil. 7[4]:309-10, 1986).
A study that I conducted on the use of vitamin E for scars showed a 33% rate of localized reaction in study patients (Dermatol. Surg. 25[4]:311-15, 1999).
The addition of vitamin E to cosmetic and hygiene products has spurred reports of adverse reactions.
A Swiss study in 1992 examined 1,000 cases of an unusual papular and follicular contact dermatitis caused by vitamin E linoleate that was used as an additive to cosmetic products. The investigator concluded that oxidized vitamin E derivatives could act synergistically in vivo as haptens or as irritants (Dermatology 189[3]:225-33,1994).
Mennen E aerosol deodorant was removed from the market also following many reports of allergic contact dermatitis (Rietschel, R., and Fowler, J. “Fisher’s Contact Dermatitis,” 4th ed. [Baltimore: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 1995]).
Even though vitamin E appears to be a very effective antioxidant when taken systemically, its role as a topical antioxidant remains unclear. A study conducted by H. Kappus and A.T. Diplock of Free University Berlin suggests that daily doses up to 400 mg are completely safe and that doses between 400 mg and 2,000 mg are not likely to cause adverse side effects (Free Radic. Biol. Med. 13[1]:55-74, 1992).
However, doses greater than 3,000 mg daily when taken over a long period may cause side effects. Patients on anticoagulant therapy and patients undergoing surgical procedures should avoid doses of vitamin E greater than 4,000 IU (J. Am. Acad. Dermatol. 39[4, pt. 1]:611-25, 1998).
In addition, vitamin E should be stopped 10 days prior to collagen injections, and other treatments that can cause bruising in order to decrease the chance of bruising.
When used topically, α-tocopherol acetate is an excellent moisturizer and is included in many products for this reason (Dermatol. Clin. 18[4]:597-607, 2000). It has also been shown to prevent light damage to products while they are on the shelves in stores and is added for preservative benefits."
© 2001 International Medical News Group. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
I will tell you some things I learned on LHR while of course having it performed on me.