In This Article
By GreenMedInfo Research Group
Pine bark extract from the French maritime pine tree improves hair density and may reduce hair loss—offering hope to the millions of women affected by thinning hair.
About twenty-three percent of women between the ages of forty and forty-nine experience mild hair loss, and the prevalence increases with advancing age. Among menopausal and post-menopausal women, thinning hair is especially common due to hormonal changes that affect hair growth rate and diameter.
Studies show the loss of hair is linked to significant psychological morbidity, including feelings of low self-esteem, anxiety, and diminished body image satisfaction. As such, there is a growing demand for natural solutions for restoring hair health.
Pine bark extract—a natural plant preparation originating from the French maritime pine tree—has been researched for a wide range of diseases, including hair-related complications, erectile dysfunction, and cognitive impairment.
Review the latest data on the benefits of pine bark extract for boosting hair growth and more.
Pine Bark Improves Hair Density
A study in postmenopausal women looked into the effects of Pycnogenol—brand name for the proprietary pine bark extract—on hair density, scalp microcirculation, and related physiological parameters. Digital photographs were used to assess hair density.1
Women were assigned to groups taking either Pycnogenol—50 milligrams (mg) three times per day—or a placebo. The cohort taking Pycnogenol experienced significantly increased hair density, including a thirty percent increase—from 225.8 hairs/cm2 to 293.6 hairs/cm2—after two months of pine bark supplementation and a twenty-three percent improvement after six months.
The effect was associated with a decrease in scalp resting flux (a measure of blood volume variations), suggesting it may have improved microcirculation. Additionally, a significant decrease of trans-epidermal water loss (a measure of skin barrier function) was also observed in scalp skin among women taking Pycnogenol.
The study concluded that intake of pine bark extract could potentially reduce hair loss in postmenopausal women. Study author Fred Pescatore, MD, explained in a news release, “For women seeking hair health support and those frustrated by hair loss during menopause or a continued pattern of hair thinning, this study reveals a new application for an ingredient that has proven antioxidant and circulatory benefits, in addition to its already established benefits in menopause and skin care.”2
An animal study previously found that pine bark extract not only reduced levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and enhanced levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines in hair follicles, but it led to a significant increase in hair growth. “The treatment reduced the levels of TNF?? and IL?1?, which are pro?inflammatory cytokines, while it enhanced the levels of IL?4 and IL?13, which are anti?inflammatory cytokines, in the hair follicles…Based on these findings, it is suggested that the extract of Pinus thunbergii bark may be utilized for hair loss prevention and/or hair growth promotion.”3
Pine Bark for Circulation
Part of pine bark’s benefits for improving hair density may be due to increases in microcirculation. As such, support for chronic venous insufficiency, deep vein thrombosis, and varicose veins is another area where pine bark shines.
In a 2019 comparative study of 142 people with chronic venous insufficiency, Pycnogenol at a dose of 150 mg per day for eight weeks significantly improved microcirculation and variations in capillary filtration associated with swelling.4
Similarly, Pycnogenol was found to be effective in improving varicose veins in postpartum women. After six months of taking Pycnogenol at a dose of 100 mg per day, results demonstrated a significant improvement in varicose veins and a decreased need for sclerotherapy, surgery, or other treatments. Notably, study authors reported that even spider vein clusters, leg cramps, and related minor symptoms improved.5
“Lower limb varicose veins (VVs) develop during the first pregnancy of some thirty percent of women who have no presence or history of VVs or thrombosis before pregnancy. The number of VVs and the occurrence of new VVs may increase with subsequent pregnancies,” study authors noted. “Supplementation with Pycnogenol is very safe, as seen in many studies; this natural supplement appears to help the venous system in regaining faster and more effectively the original, prepartum circulatory physiology. Management with oral Pycnogenol controls both the minor signs/symptoms associated with postpartum VVs and more significant symptoms as, for instance, cramps and swelling.”
Summary of Pine Bark Benefits for Heart and Skin Health, Sexual Function, and More
While pine bark intake is well-recognized for its circulatory, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects, it may also benefit heart health. Among people with coronary artery disease, Pycnogenol intake improved endothelial function, leading to an increase in flow mediated dilation after eight weeks.6
It’s also useful for supporting cardiometabolic health, leading to reductions in fasting blood glucose, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, body mass index, and cholesterol, while increasing beneficial HDL cholesterol.7
Further, pine bark deserves special mention for its potential to help:
Aging Skin: Pine bark extract helps reduce skin damage related to ultraviolet radiation. It also led to clinically significant improvements in photodamaged skin when used for twelve weeks.8
Erectile Dysfunction: Pine bark extract improved erectile dysfunction (ED) by forty-five percent among men with ED and diabetes.9 When used in combination with saw palmetto and saffron, pine bark extract also led to significantly improved sexual function and urinary symptoms in cohorts aged forty to sixty.10
Brain Health: Pycnogenol has positive effects in people with mild cognitive impairment, likely due to its benefits in managing oxidative stress levels.11 Related data show it improves cognitive function in adults between the ages of fifty-five and seventy while, even among students, pine bark extract may improve cognitive function, attention, and mental performance.12 13
In terms of safety, an independent panel of toxicology experts has classified Pycnogenol as generally regarded as safe (GRAS) based on clinical assessments and preclinical toxicology data.14 Additionally, decades of peer-reviewed research find that prolonged intake is well tolerated, corroborating the supplement’s efficacy and safety record.15
Well Being Journal adapted the above article from the previously published original at greenmedinfo.com titled “Natural Hair Loss Remedy Discovered With Many Side Benefits,” June 21, 2023.
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