Encyclopedia · supplement
Silicon (orthosilicic acid)
A silicon supplement that improved strength and thickness of fine hair in one supplier-run trial.
What it is
A bioavailable form of silicon (choline-stabilized orthosilicic acid) sold as a supplement for hair, skin and nails.
How it works
Silicon is thought to support connective tissue structure. How it would act on hair is not established.
What the studies show
- In 48 women with fine hair given 10 mg silicon a day or placebo for 9 months, hair break load did not fall with silicon (-2.2%) but fell 10.8% with placebo, and hair cross-section increased. The authors work for the supplier. Wickett 2007
- In 50 people with photodamaged skin on the same dose for 20 weeks, skin roughness improved, and self-rated hair and nail brittleness was lower than baseline. That is not a controlled hair endpoint. Barel 2005
- Nothing has been shown for hair loss, and there is no independent replication.
How it's used in studies
Trials used 10 mg of silicon a day.
Side effects and safety
The European Food Safety Authority found too little data to set an upper limit. Tested doses were small and well tolerated.
Bottom line
A low-cost option with modest, supplier-run evidence for strength and thickness of fine hair, not for hair loss. Discuss with a doctor.
Studies 2
Wickett RR et al. Effect of oral intake of choline-stabilized orthosilicic acid on hair tensile strength and morphology in women with fine hair. 2007
Tested: 10 mg silicon/day as choline-stabilized orthosilicic acid vs placebo
Result: Break load fell 10.8% with placebo and -2.2% with silicon; hair cross-section increased; supplier authors.
Read the study ↗Barel A et al. Effect of oral intake of choline-stabilized orthosilicic acid on skin, nails and hair in women with photodamaged skin. 2005
Tested: 10 mg silicon/day as choline-stabilized orthosilicic acid vs placebo
Result: Skin roughness improved; self-rated hair and nail brittleness fell versus baseline (not a controlled hair endpoint).
Read the study ↗