An Assessment of the Safety, Efficacy, and Tolerability of a Novel Scalp Treatment Regimen Combining a Hydroxy Acid-Based Scrub and Copper Tripeptide Serum in the Management of Seborrheic Dermatitis in Adults.

Abstract

Background and objective Scalp dandruff, a prevalent dermatological condition marked by flaking and itching, affects a large segment of the population. Sun exposure, genetics, and dryness, along with winter conditions, indoor heating, and hard water, all contribute to moisture loss and scalp imbalance.This study aimed to evaluatethe safety, efficacy, and tolerability of a novel regimen combining a scalp scrub with hydroxy acidderivatives for exfoliation and dandruff removal, and a serum containing copper tripeptide-1, witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana), hesperidin, hyaluronic acid, and pea protein (Pisum sativum) for hydration and scalp health. Methods This prospective, interventional, open-label, single-center study assessed the safety, efficacy, and in-use tolerability of a scalp scrub and serum regimen for mild to moderate dandruff. Ethical approval was granted by ACEAS - Independent Ethics Committee and all participants provided written consent. The study evaluated changes in Adherent Scalp Flaking Score (ASFS), scalp hydration with the Corneometer® CM 825, hair thickness, hair density, and scalp condition using CASLite Nova.Scalp appearance and treatment usage perception were evaluated on day 1, day 8, and day 15. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS Statistics v29.0.1.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY) and Microsoft Excel 2019, with results reported as p-values and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results As per the ASFSscale for adherent scalp flaking, a significant improvement of 61.24% (p<0.0001) was observed by day 15. Assessmentswith CASLite Nova showed significant increases in hair density and hair thickness by 12.48% (p<0.0001) and 25.36% (p<0.0001), respectively. Regarding scalp condition, the proportion of individuals with a dry scalp and significant keratin decreased from 65.52% at baseline to 6.9% by day 15. The incidence of dry scalp with fine dandruff also decreased from 6.9% at baseline to 0% by day 15. Conversely, the percentage of individuals with a dry scalp and some keratin increased from 27.59% at baseline to 48.28% by day 15. Also, the proportion of subjects with a normal scalp, characterized by good hair density and thickness, increased from 0% at baseline to 44.83% by day 15. Scalp skin hydration, measured by Corneometer® CM 825, showed a significant improvement of 76.24% (p<0.0001) from baseline to day 15. Overall, there were notable enhancements in scalp appearance, with reductions in itchiness, redness, roughness, and scaliness. All subjects reported satisfaction with the treatment. Conclusions The ThriveCo scalp regimen (scalp scrub + serum) has been demonstrated to be both effective and safe in treating and reducing scalp dandruff in healthy adults. The regimen significantly reduced ASFS by effectively removing visible scalp flakes from day 1 to day 15 with continuous use. Furthermore, the kit improved overall scalp condition, increased skin hydration, and enhanced the scalp's appearance. The components include scalp scrub with hydroxy acidderivatives for exfoliation and dandruff removal, and a serum containing copper tripeptide-1, Hamamelis virginiana, hesperidin, hyaluronic acid, and pea protein (Pisum sativum) for hydration and overall scalp health over the 15-day treatment period. The synergistic effects of this regimen work to clear visible dandruff flakes, reduce adherent scalp flaking, rejuvenate the scalp, and simultaneously strengthen the hair.