The hair growth promoting effect of ascorbic acid 2-phosphate, a long-acting Vitamin C derivative

In the 2006 study, researchers investigated the effects of ascorbic acid 2-phosphate (Asc 2-P), a stable derivative of Vitamin C, on hair growth. They found that Asc 2-P significantly stimulated the growth of dermal papilla cells and promoted the elongation of hair shafts in isolated hair follicles cultured in vitro. The most effective concentration of Asc 2-P for dermal papilla cell growth was 0.25 mM, but it did not stimulate growth in outer root sheath (ORS) keratinocytes. Additionally, Asc 2-P treatment increased the mRNA level of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) by 3.8-fold in dermal papilla cells, suggesting that Asc 2-P may induce the secretion of growth factors that proliferate and differentiate keratinocytes, leading to hair shaft elongation. In an animal model, Asc 2-P at 250 mM induced an earlier transition from the telogen phase to the anagen phase of the hair cycle. These findings suggest that Vitamin C or its derivatives could play a role in regulating mesenchymal-epithelial interactions in the hair follicle, potentially offering a new approach to treating hair growth disorders.