Hair Loss Symptoms

A recent study suggests that hair loss may occur in a few persons who have received vaccinations. This side effect, if confirmed by other studies, would be considered very rare. Other studies to further investigate these findings are underway.From 1983 to 1995, 60 reports of hair loss were identified and evaluated among persons who had received vaccines. These few cases of hair loss were out of the hundreds of millions of doses of vaccine that have been given to the general population. This study alone cannot prove that vaccines cause hair loss. There may be other health conditions responsible for the hair loss that could not be identified. The study of these cases was conducted using information gathered from the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). VAERS reports can be submitted by anyone who has received a vaccine and has concerns about health problems that occur afterwards.

Which vaccines were looked at in the study?
All vaccines with reports of hair loss were investigated. The hepatitis B vaccine appeared more often than other vaccines to suggest an association with these rare cases of hair loss.

Of the cases reported, 46 of the 60 persons who reported loss of their hair had received hepatitis B vaccine. A few patients lost hair again when they received additional doses of the hepatitis B vaccine (3 doses are recommended).

Who is at risk for experiencing hair loss after vaccination?
Specific risk factors are not known at this time. The study found more women than men reporting the hair loss but there could be other reasons for this such as: 1) Men may not report hair loss as often as women because they typically wear their hair shorter, and hair loss may not be as noticeable as it would be in women with longer hair. In addition, some men expect to lose their hair as they age (e.g. male pattern baldness). 2) Women and health care workers who reported hair loss are more in touch with their health care providers about health concerns.

Did the hair grow back?
Yes, in more than half of the cases that could be evaluated. However, a few cases had only partial regrowth of hair. Severe hair loss over more than half of the head or body was reported to have occurred in 16 of 37 cases that could be evaluated. Of the 16 reports of severe hair loss, eight persons recovered most or all of their hair, and four reported persistent baldness. Also, of those 37 cases, 18 reported mild to moderate hair loss with most of the hair still intact. Nine (or half of these) had complete recovery. One did not have a complete recovery, and the outcomes of eight cases were unknown.

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L’Oréal Initiates Nationwide Recall of L’Oréal Paris Dream Blonde Bleach and Lightening Care Kit Due to Misprinted Directions

Media Contact:
Rebecca A. Caruso
212-984-4894
Suzanne Davidowitz
212-984-4105

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — New York, NY — January 18, 2008 — L’Oréal Paris, a division of L’Oréal USA, has initiated a voluntary recall from retail stores in the United States for the L’Oréal Paris Dream Blonde (Baby’s Breath Blonde #100 Ultra Lightening) Bleach and Lightening care kit. The product was sold in retail outlets in the US from January 1 through January 18, 2008. L’Oréal is voluntarily taking this action due to an error in the printing of the directions for the use of the Dream Blonde Bleach and Lightening care kit. All retailers have been notified and have removed the product from their shelves. Affected consumers, estimated at a few hundred, will receive a full refund for returned product.

L’Oréal took immediate action following one customer complaint of the product causing irritation. The Dream Blonde Bleach and Lightening Care formula itself is safe. However, if used according to the current misprinted directions, complications such as irritation or sensitivity could result, so consumers should not use the product and should instead return it to their retailer for a refund. As with any product, if a consumer feels they are having any type of reaction or irritation, they should consultant their physician. This recall affects only the Dream Blonde Bleach and Lightening care kit in the Dream Blonde range of products.

Any consumers looking for more information should call 888-241-9504.

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Hair is produced by hair follicles–indentations of the epidermis (outer skin layer) that contain the hair root, the muscle attached to it, and sebaceous, or oil, glands. Hair is made up of dead cells filled with proteins, most of which are known as keratins. The cells are woven together like a rope to form the hair fiber. The hair fiber, in turn, has three layers: the outer cuticle with its fish-scale-like structure; the cortex, which contains the bulk of the fiber; and the center, or medulla. Hair color is determined by melanocytes, cells that produce pigment. When these cells stop producing pigment, hair turns gray.

Although it seems as if the hair on your head is always growing, hair actually has active and rest phases. The growth phase, known as anagen, lasts for two to six years. At any given time, about 90 percent of scalp hair is in the growth stage. The remainder is in the rest phase, known as telogen; this lasts from two to three months.