Scalp Application of the Antioxidant Piroctone Olamine Reduces Hair Shedding in an 8-Week Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Study

August 2021 in “ International journal of cosmetic science (Print) ”

Michael Davis, Melissa Piliang, Wilma F. Bergfeld, Tamara L. Caterino, Brian K. Fisher, Jarek Sacha, G.J. Carr, Laura T Moulton, Deborah J Whittenbarger, Supriya Punyani, James R. Schwartz

piroctone olamine antioxidant hair shedding hair thinning shampoo leave-on product oxidative stress scalp condition TEWL Transepidermal Water Loss scalp biomarker hair retention oxidative damage PO hair loss hair fall scalp health

TLDR Using piroctone olamine on the scalp helps reduce hair loss and improves scalp health.

An 8-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study was conducted on female subjects with self-perceived hair thinning to test the effectiveness of the antioxidant piroctone olamine (PO) in two different product forms (shampoo or leave-on product) for improving hair retention. The results showed statistically significant increases in hair amount after the use of both PO-containing products versus placebo formulations. The PO shampoo treatment also significantly decreased oxidative stress on the hair and scalp, and improved scalp condition as assessed by TEWL (Transepidermal Water Loss) and scalp biomarker values. The study concluded that the use of a cosmetic antioxidant can improve scalp condition and thereby improve hair retention, suggesting that the hair retention effect was achieved by preventing oxidative damage to the scalp.

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