Scalp Health Research Articles

Incubatory environment of the scalp impacts pre‐emergent hair to affect post‐emergent hair cuticle integrity

To determine whether the oxidative stress transmitted to newly grown hair from an unhealthy scalp has physical consequences to the cuticular condition and function. A uniquely designed 24-week clinical study included 8 weeks of pretreatment with a cosmetic shampoo and 16 weeks of treatment with either a potentiated zinc pyrithione (ZPT) antidandruff shampoo or a placebo cosmetic shampoo. This clinical design allowed the growth and acquisition of hair samples under conditions of varying but known scalp health as a result of treating a dandruff/seborrheic dermatitis (D/SD) population. Two complementary methods were used to characterize the integrity of the cuticular surface. Hair surface hydrophobicity was assessed by quantifying water wetting force using a Wilhelmy balance method. Surface structure and porosity were assessed using dynamic vapor sorption (DVS) to gravimetrically quantify water sorption. Chemical oxidative stress to pre-emergent hair has been shown to have negative consequences to hair surface structure. Compared to a placebo shampoo control, use of a potentiated ZPT shampoo improved scalp health and significantly improved the following attributes associated with healthy hair: hair surface hydrophobicity (surface energy) and cuticular moisture barrier effectiveness (dynamic vapor sorption). Pre-emergent hair can be negatively impacted by the oxidative stress that occurs with an unhealthy scalp, possibly due to metabolic activity of resident microbes. Manifestations of the oxidative stress include altered cuticle surface properties that are responsible for its protective function; these effects are similar in type to those observed by bleaching post-emergent hair. These alterations have the potential to make the hair, once emerged from the scalp, more susceptible to the cumulative physical and chemical insults responsible for hair feel and look, fiber integrity, and overall retention.

What Ages Hair?

Hair has always played an important role in the history of mankind. Egyptian hieroglyphics are testimony of the paramount importance of hair for this ancient civilization, not only because of the visual effect, but also because of the erotic symbolism connected with hair. For the ancient Romans hair was not only a question of fashion but was used as a symbol of beauty, virility, class and intellect. In modern western culture having a full head of hair is often associated with desirable qualities such as youthfulness and vitality. Most people experience changes in hair and scalp health as they age. Subsequent hair loss may cause significant distress that deeply affects people’s life causing social anxiety and interfering with their well being. Genetic and hormonal changesareimportantfactorsinhairloss, butweatheringandgrooming habits take a toll on our hair as well. A recent advisory board comprising twelve experts in hair fibers and hair loss was formed to review hair loss in relation to heredity, aging and environmental factors emphasizing measures that may slow alopecia. The following information is a summary of their discussions on these topics.

Effect of the multifunctional cosmetic ingredient sphinganine on hair loss in males and females with diffuse hair reduction.

Sphingolipids are well known to promote keratinocyte differentiation and to induce ceramide production. In addition, they show anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities. Thus, the aim of this study is to investigate the potential effect of sphinganine on prolonging the hair anagen rate and improving the overall hair quality and scalp health. The inhibitory potential of sphinganine toward 5-α-reductase was studied using an in vitro assay. The stimulation of the antimicrobial peptide HBD2 by sphinganine was measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunostaining. Sphinganine bioavailability was studied ex vivo using a pig skin model. A placebo-controlled, double-blind study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of sphinganine on hair loss and hair/scalp quality in vivo. In vitro results showed that sphinganine is a potent inhibitor of 5-α-reductase type I that prevents the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, a key factor of androgenetic male baldness. In vivo results demonstrated efficacy in reducing non-illness-related hair loss among males. In terms of expert rating, all hair quality and scalp parameters improved after application of sphinganine. Improved scalp health might be linked to the observed increase of the antimicrobial peptide HBD2. Thus, sphinganine is well suited as a topical alternative for the improvement of scalp health and hair quality and anti-hair loss application.

Abstract 3478: Management of chemotherapy induced alopecia using a topical botanical lotion via a proposed triple-action on apoptosis, inflammation and collagen

Abstract Background: Chemotherapy induced alopecia (CIA) is the most visible and emotionally distressing side effect of cancer therapies. No approved pharmacologic treatment is yet available for CIA. Hair follicular cells are damaged by chemoagents and prematurely undergo unwanted apoptosis, consequently resulting in massive hair loss. Such apoptosis-driven chemo toxicities generally cause dystrophic anagen and dystrophic catagen. Dystrophic anagen hair follicles recover much more slowly than dystrophic catagen hair. As anagen hair proportion represents >80%, hair recovery following chemotherapy may become a long term issue. Besides, shortened anagen will impede collagen production causing unhealthy scalp and hair. A previous study demonstrated that p53 knock-out mice did not undergo CIA, indicating the importance to modulate apoptosis pathways in CIA management. Secondary necrosis stimulates production of pro-inflammatory mediators, triggering or sustaining inflammatory conditions in the scalp. Unwanted apoptosis of more hair follicular cells will occur due to exacerbated inflammation. This vicious circle further contributes to excessive follicular cell death, consequently resulting in hair loss and delay of hair regrowth. Therefore, normalizing apoptosis process, dampening scalp inflammation, as well as improving scalp health by increasing collagen content and remodeling are essential to counteract the negative impact on hair by chemotherapies. Objective: To test a novel topical botanical lotion for CIA management Methods: Bcl-2 level in scalp biopsy of androgenetic alopecia (AGA) subjects was analyzed via immunohistochemistry before, after 3 months’ application of the topical botanical lotion (n = 20), and compared with Bcl-2 level in healthy volunteers (n = 25). Expressions of E-selectin, ICAM-1 and il-8 were measured using HUVEC, +/- Product & TNF a. Type I collagen was analyzed using scalp biopsies from 11 AGA subjects before and after 4 months product application. Product's efficacy and tolerance were assessed on female cancer patients suffering from CIA (n = 30), Pictures were taken for comparison. Results: Product restored Bcl-2 from 1.7 to 3.2, near normal level (4.73). Collagen content was increased by 79.93% after 4 months’ product application. Biopsy analysis revealed collagen remodeling. Product inhibited TNFα-induced expressions of E-selectin, ICAM-1 & il-8. For patients undergoing chemotherapy, the product allowed faster hair recovery in CIA patients (5-16 weeks quicker than historical control). For “long-term CIA” patients, first improvement was observed in 33%, 52% and 76% of subjects after 1, 2 and 3 months, respectively. No side effect was reported. Conclusion: We developed a novel topical product for CIA through local actions on apoptosis, inflammation and collagen. Citation Format: Tadafumi Shiiba, Saad Harti, Angelo Mello, Geert Cauwenbergh, Jiawei Liu. Management of chemotherapy induced alopecia using a topical botanical lotion via a proposed triple-action on apoptosis, inflammation and collagen. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 3478.

The role of oxidative damage in poor scalp health: ramifications to causality and associated hair growth.

The oxidative stress element of unhealthy scalp leads to compromised pre-emergent hair formation and poorly formed hair as it grows. Only cosmetic solutions can minimize the impact of unhealthy hair and to achieve healthy looking and feeling hair, the scalp health must be normalized first. The objectives of this research were to both investigate whether oxidative stress was a relevant aetiological element in scalp dandruff and seborrhoeic dermatitis and whether scalp condition affects the quality of hair that grows from it. Further, this research was designed to determine whether an effective anti-dandruff shampoo would repair and protect the scalp and pre-emergent hair from oxidative stress. This study demonstrated that oxidative stress is an aetiological element relevant to the dandruff condition and that a potentiated ZPT shampoo effectively improves scalp condition, including a reduction in oxidative stress. The compromised hair condition associated with dandruff is concomitantly improved when the scalp condition is improved. It appears that there is a direct link between hair quality and scalp health.

Efficacy of Cistanche Tubulosa and Laminaria Japonica Extracts (MK-R7) Supplement in Preventing Patterned Hair Loss and Promoting Scalp Health.

Cistanche tubulosa and Laminaria japonica have been reported to have anti-oxidative, anticoagulant, anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties. They are expected to be a promising candidates for promoting hair growth and treating dandruff and scalp inflammation as a consequence. In this double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial, we investigated the efficacy of Cistanche tubulosa extract and Laminaria japonica extract complex (MK-R7) in promoting hair health in patients with mild to moderate patterned hair loss. Using phototrichogram (Folliscope 4.0, LeadM, Seoul, Korea), we compared the density and diameter of hairs in patients receiving a placebo or Cistanche tubulosa extract and Laminaria japonica extract complex (MK-R7) at baseline, 8 and 16 weeks of the study. In order to determine the efficacy of treatment on dandruff and scalp inflammation, investigator's assessment score and patient's subjective score were also performed. We found a statistically significant increase in the hair density of the test group (n = 45, MK-R7 400 mg) after 16 weeks of consuming the MK-R7 (test group: 23.29 n/cm2 ± 24.26, control: 10.35 n/cm2 ± 20.08, p < 0.05). In addition, we found a statistically significant increase in hair diameter in the test group compared to control group at week 16 (test group: 0.018 mm ± 0.015, control: 0.003 mm ± 0.013, p < 0.05). There were also significant outcomes regarding the investigator's visual assessment and patient's subjective score of dandruff and scalp inflammation in the test group compared to those in control group. Based on the results of this clinical study, we conclude that Cistanche tubulosa extract and Laminaria japonica extract complex (MK-R7) are promising substances for promoting health of the scalp and hair.

A Comprehensive Pathophysiology of Dandruff and Seborrheic Dermatitis – Towards a More Precise Definition of Scalp Health

Despite an increasing knowledge of dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis (D/SD), the pathophysiological understanding is still incomplete but suggests a role of Malassezia yeasts in triggering inflammatory and hyper-proliferative epidermal responses. The objective of this report is to review published literature from in vivo studies of D/SD populations to provide a more complete description of overall scalp health. New biomolecular capabilities establish a depth of pathophysiological understanding not previously achievable with traditional means of investigation. Biomarkers representing inflammation, hyper-proliferation and barrier function are all perturbed by the D/SD condition and robustly respond to therapeutic resolution. These biomarkers can be sampled noninvasively, enabling their use in routine clinical evaluations as either surrogate endpoints or complementary ones to classical signs/symptoms to broaden the etiological learning.

The research about Scalp treatments by self-recognition of adult's losing hair

The survey was carried out with a random sample of adults living in Busan and Gyeongnam. The collected material is used by the SPSS version 12.0. The frequency, percentage, examination were applied for studying. We separated the group of safety, general management, real hair management according to characteristic about scarp and hair problems. There is highly understanding about the hair problem that if someone has really sensitive scalp or who has dandruff or who has thin hair or who has someone has hair losing problem in their family. Usually, the group has highly understanding of hair problem, they consult about their hair and scalp with expert. They have a really good attention about the mass media(TV, Internet, Newspaper, Magazine) for scalp and hair health. They reduce using hair products. They always read hair product brochure first and use it. They don't eat fast food frequently. The survey has shown high levels of article. Now the research showed us that s have a strict connection between self-recognition and scalp treatments. That means someone has understanding hair problem then start treatment first.

Epidermal changes associated with symptomatic resolution of dandruff: biomarkers of scalp health

Dandruff is a common scalp condition characterized by flakes, pruritus and sometimes mild erythema. These symptoms reflect underlying histopathologic and biochemical events that must be reversed if treatment is to be effective. This study aimed to better characterize the state of the epidermis in dandruff and to determine how a defined set of skin surface biomarkers of this state change during a successful course of treatment with a potentiated zinc pyrithione (ZPT) shampoo. A population of dandruff sufferers was treated for 3 weeks with a commercial ZPT shampoo or a non-medicated product, and the effect of treatment on adherent scalp flake (ASF) scores was evaluated. Biopsies were taken from lesional sites at baseline and at the end of the study for histomorphometric and histopathologic analysis. Stratum corneum (SC) samples were likewise obtained for evaluation of biochemical markers of inflammation (IL-1α, IL-1RA, IL-8) and barrier integrity (keratin 1, 10, 11; involucrin; SC lipids; human serum albumin). The biomarker profile was evaluated first by comparison with that in non-dandruff subjects at baseline, and then to determine whether any treatment-induced changes were correlated with reductions in flaking in dandruff sufferers. Taken together, our studies showed that treatment with the ZPT shampoo led to an improvement in the overall scalp condition as assessed by the resolution of flaking, reduction in epidermal thickness and inflammatory biomarkers, and a dramatic improvement in biomarkers of epidermal barrier integrity. The combination of biomarkers examined appears to be a good overall descriptor of the health of the scalp in dandruff, and changes in these biomarkers track with tissue-level events that underlie clinical efficacy in the treatment of dandruff by ZPT shampoo. For the first time, we demonstrate a set of tools that extend beyond flaking scores to provide insight into specific biological changes occurring on the scalp to enable an objective assessment of scalp health.