Scalp application of the antioxidant piroctone olamine reduces hair shedding in an 8‐week randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled clinical study
October 2021
in “International journal of cosmetic science (Print)”
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.
View this study on onlinelibrary.wiley.com →
Cited in this study
research Scalp application of antioxidants improves scalp condition and reduces hair shedding in a 24‐week randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled clinical trial
Using antioxidants on the scalp can make it healthier and decrease hair loss.
research Role of scalp health in achieving optimal hair growth and retention
The review of over 20 epidemiological studies and a treatment study demonstrates a cause-and-effect relationship between scalp health and hair quality. Impaired scalp conditions, often due to oxidative stress, disrupt normal keratinization of the hair cuticle, leading to brittle and fragile hair that degrades faster and is more susceptible to damage. However, these negative impacts on hair quality are reversible with the normalization of scalp health.
research Scalp condition impacts hair growth and retention via oxidative stress
Healthy scalp reduces hair loss by managing oxidative stress.
research Incubatory environment of the scalp impacts pre‐emergent hair to affect post‐emergent hair cuticle integrity
An unhealthy scalp can damage new hair, but using ZPT shampoo can improve hair health.
research The impact of oxidative stress on hair
Oxidative stress damages hair and contributes to aging, and managing it can help maintain hair health.
research Female Pattern Hair Loss: a clinical and pathophysiological review
Female Pattern Hair Loss affects women's self-esteem and needs more research for better treatment.
research Exogen hair characterization in human scalp
The conclusion is that exogen is a unique hair cycle phase and the new sampling method specifically targets this stage, which may help in future hair loss research.
research Nudging hair shedding by antidandruff shampoos. A comparison of 1% ketoconazole, 1% piroctone olamine and 1% zinc pyrithione formulations
All three shampoos reduced dandruff and hair loss, but ketoconazole and piroctone olamine also made hair thicker.