DISORDERS OF THE SCALP 257 of the sulfhydryl participation in epidermal keratinization. The above agents are available on prescription only. A recent medical report extols the value of an allantoin tar detergent preparation (Sebical). The allantoin, because of its keratin-dispersing qualities, has been added to the anti-seborrheic formulation. Flesch (11) has demonstrated this property in the laboratory and has therefore advo- cated its use in the treatment of psoriasis of the scalp and the body. Lub- owe and Mecca (12) have explored the therapeutic possibilities of a new compound, an allantoin acetyl methioninate in the disorders of the pilo- sebaceous system. A_ preliminary report will be published shortly. The associated hair fall which occurs frequently in the second, third and fourth decades of life may be related to seborrhea capiris which is prevalent during this period. There are various beliefs as to the direct association of hair fall and seborrhea. However, in my clinical practice, I have observed that frequently the control of seborrhea capiris may mini- mize the percentage of hair fall in the male. Recently an alarming dermatological entity, namely diffuse hair fall in women, has been described in the medical literature. Guy and Ed- mundson (13), Sulzberger (14) and Lubowe (15) have described the rapidly increasing prevalence in the female of this serious condition. Etiological factors which have been suggested are: the incautious use of hair cos- metics, permanent waving, hair dyes, hair tints and hair lacquer,. Savil (16) has reported the unusual hair fall following the continuous and active use of hair brushes containing pointed or irregular nylon bristles. Evi- dently many of the nylon bristles present irregular sharp ends which act as a irritating and mechanical force in loosening the hair shaft from the hair follicle. Discontinuance of the nylon brush is followed by the sub- sequent regrowth of hair. Slepyan (17) has also described the traction alopecia which is manifested by the thinning of the frontal and parietal area of the female scalp following the continuous wearing of the ponytail coiffeur. The setting of the hair by winding it around rollers, curiers and bobby pins may also be a contributing factor. The proper, intelligent use of hair cosmetics has been productive of little damage to the hair shaft and hair follicle. In patients in whom permanent waving or dyeing aids in the maintenance of mental adjustment of the female patient, the topical use of the permanent wave or dye will minimize and neutralize any pos- sible injurious effects. The possible inclusion of hydrocortisone or glycyr- rhetinic acid, also an anti-inflammatory agent, in hair dyes, hair lacquer and permanent waving solutions should be explored. The use of silicone agents after hair cosmetic treatments aids in the duration of the specific treatment and effect. The availability of both alcohol and aqueous soluble silicones projects increased interest in these compounds. The recent introduction of the hot steamer in the accelera-

258 JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY OF COSMETIC CHEMISTS tion of hair dyeing must be studied to determine whether a beneficial effect on the strength of the hair shaft follows. Flesch (18) has suggested the use of an acid rinse after bleaching the hair to reduce the injurious chemical changes. His presentation at a recent scientific meeting of the Toilet Goods Association was very provocative. In this presentation I have attempted to discuss the etiological factors in the production of seborrhea capiris. The various methods of approach have been described. Individual selections must be made according to the desired dermatological effect. A wide variety of chemical agents are being utilized in the treatment of seborrhea capiris and their advantages and disadvantages have been enumerated. With increase in the number of hair cosmetics and hair treatments, there are bound to be some damaging effects produced, particularly when the cosmetics are used injudiciously or unintelligently. The possible inclusion of corticosteroids and other anti- inflammatory agents in cosmetic preparations should be explored. REFERENCES (1) I.ubowe, Irwin I., Paper presented at the International meeting of the Society of Cos- metic Chemists, Paris, France, July 30, 1957 Geneva, Switzerland, August 5, 1957. (2) Lubowe, Irwin I., Proc. Sci. Sect. Toilet Goods zfssoc., No. 28, 18 (1957). (3) Lubowe, Irwin I., Med. Times, in press. (4) Slinger, W. W., and Hubbard, D. M., zfrch. Dermatol. and SyphiloL, 64, 41 (1951). (5) Finnerty, E. F., New Engl. •7. Med., 254, 614 (1956). (6) Lubowe, Irwin I., Med. Times, 85, 58 (1957). (7) Ball,-F. I.,/1. M./1. /lrch. DermatoL, 71, 696 (1955). (8) Lubowe, Irwin I., Med. Times, 86, 15 (1958). (9) Butcher, Earl O., •7. Invest. Dermatol., 29, 377 (1957). (10) Flesch, P., /1. M./1. /lrch. Dermatol. and SyphiloL, 65, 261 (1952). (11) Flesch, P., Proc. Sci. Sect. Toilet Goods/lssoc., No. 29, 27 (1958). (12) Lubowe, Irwin I., and Mecca, S. B., Med. Times, in press. (13) Guy, William B., and Edmundson, Walter, P.,/1. M./1./lrch. Dermatol., 81, 205 (1960). (14) Sulzberger, Marion B., Witten, Victor H., and Kopf, Alfred W., Ibid., 81, 108 (1960). (15) Lubowe, Irwin I., "New Hope for Your Hair," New York, E. P. Dutton Co. (1960). (16) Savil, Agnes, Brit. •7. DermatoL and Syphilol., 70, 296 (1958). (17) Slepyan, A. H., eLM. eL ,4rch. Dermatol., 78, 395 (1958). (18) Flesch, P., Proc. Sci. Sect. Toilet Goods/lssoc., No. 32, 1 (1959). CORRECTION NOTICE I•r VoLuME XI, Number 8, November, 1960, an error appeared in the article "Determination of Alkaline Phosphatase Activity in Human Lyophilized Placenta Extract," by William Colburn, Ralph Schure and Jack Axelrood. In the calculation, page 445, instruction 3 should be: 3. Multiply the mg. of phenol obtained in (2) by 200 and by the dilution factor used in making the "sample solution." This gives mg. phenol produced per 100 ml. of original sample (which equals K & A units of alkaline phosphatase per 100 ml.).