Styling Without Shedding: Novel Topical Formula Reduces Hair Shedding by Contracting the Arrector Pili Muscle
November 2017
in “
Dermatologic Therapy
”
TLDR A new topical solution safely reduces hair shedding by 38% on average by tightening a muscle in the scalp.
In a 2017 study, a topical solution called AB-102, containing a weak α₁ adrenergic receptor agonist, was tested on 40 female subjects to reduce hair shedding by contracting the arrector pili muscle. The study found that AB-102 reduced hair shedding by an average of 38%, with up to 77% reduction observed, and increased the force required to pluck hairs by an average of 20% within 2 hours of application. No significant adverse events were reported, indicating that AB-102 is both effective and safe for reducing hair shedding during styling.
