Hair Loss
Approximately 65%-70% of males will experience varying degrees of hair loss, while among females aged 60 and above, about 30%-40% will suffer from varying degrees of hair thinning.
Of course, with increasing air pollution and growing life stress, these figures are gradually rising.
Hair follicles go through three stages: the growth phase, the regression phase, and the resting phase, before returning to the growth phase to produce new hair.
During this cycle, several types of cells play particularly crucial roles.
Firstly, stem cells are crucial. In the late resting phase, stem cells within the hair follicle receive signals to become activated. They divide to form new cells, which grow to create a new hair papilla, thereby constructing a new follicle structure. During this time, the vascular network increases to provide sufficient nourishment and oxygen to support new hair growth.
Following this, keratinocytes and melanocytes appear in the matrix. The former rapidly divide and are pushed upwards to form keratinized cells, resulting in hair formation, while the latter produce melanin to color the hair.
The entire process is highly organized, and any factor disrupting this process can lead to hair loss.
For instance, DHT, or dihydrotestosterone, affects hair in various ways for individuals susceptible to genetic predisposition. Firstly, it constricts blood vessels, narrowing them and affecting the absorption of oxygen and nutrients by the hair follicles.
Additionally, it inhibits the growth factors required for activating stem cells, such as IGF-1
Furthermore, DHT also synchronously activates TGF-β, causing hair follicles to prematurely transition from the growth phase to the regression phase.
Additionally, DHT can induce micro-inflammation. Over time, continual stimulation leads to fibrosis of the hair follicles, making it difficult for hair to grow again.
This also explains why many patients with male pattern baldness have slightly red scalp in the early stages (micro-inflammation), and later, after hair loss, the texture of the scalp surface changes (fibrosis).
Apart from DHT, factors such as elevated cortisol due to stress, attacks from the body's own immune system, oxidative stress caused by various reasons, and so on, can impact one or multiple aspects of the hair growth cycle, thus triggering hair loss.
Hair loss remedies to combat
Therefore, in response to the causes of hair loss, we have launched UNILIPO Caffeine Scalp Essence Lotion. The main ingredients responsible for preventing hair loss are as follows.
0.4% Caffeine
INCI Name: Caffeine Extract
There is a wealth of in vitro and in vivo studies proving the anti-hair loss efficacy of caffeine. From a molecular mechanism perspective, the physiological functions conferred by caffeine provided by nature are just as effective as anti-hair loss medications!
Firstly, caffeine can dilate blood vessels, promote blood circulation, allowing hair follicles to absorb sufficient nutrients and oxygen. Secondly, caffeine can activate IGF-1 and inhibit TGF-β, thus prolonging the growth phase and promoting the transition of hair from the resting phase to a new growth phase.
Additionally, caffeine can inhibit 5α-reductase, reducing DHT production, and it can also inhibit inflammation and act as an antioxidant.
What's particularly impressive is that caffeine is easily absorbed by hair follicles. When added to shampoo, it can penetrate effectively and take action within just 2 minutes of hair washing.
In a multicenter in vivo study (n = 210), it was found that patients with male pattern baldness who applied a 0.2% caffeine solution twice daily for 6 months showed comparable, if not superior, anti-hair loss effects to 5% minoxidil (11.68% and 10.59% respectively).
0.2% Supramolecular Adenosine
INCI Name: Adenosine, Tartaric Acid
The hair growth effect of adenosine mainly stems from its regulation of the expression of several important genes. It binds to the A2b receptor to initiate signal transduction, upregulating the production of growth factors FGF-2 and FGF-7 in fibroblasts, as well as keratinocyte growth factor KGF. Additionally, it decreases the levels of transforming growth factor TGF-β, which inhibits hair growth.
Clinical trials have shown that adenosine can synergize with caffeine. When used together for just 8 weeks, they can increase hair density by 55%!
The adenosine in the scalp essence forms a supramolecular cocrystal with tartaric acid, enhancing its solubility, permeability, and stability. It can be considered an upgraded version of regular adenosine.
3% UNISOUL® Renew
INCI Name: Silybum Marianum Extract, UNILIPO patented ingredient
Patent Application Number: 202310605230.X
Invention Name: Preparation Method and Application of a Supramolecular Silybum Marianum Complex
Silybum marianum, also known as milk thistle, is a plant that has been used for over 2000 years to treat liver and bile duct diseases.
When people mistakenly ingest poisonous mushrooms such as Amanita phalloides, it can lead to severe liver failure and death. At this point, milk thistle is almost the only antidote available.
This is because milk thistle can stabilize cell membranes, thereby reducing the entry of toxic substances. Additionally, milk thistle can stimulate detoxification pathways, such as glutathione S-transferase, increasing the concentration of glutathione in cells.
Moreover, silymarin, the active compound in milk thistle, exhibits remarkable antioxidant properties, capable of neutralizing various free radicals. Another remarkable feature of silymarin is its ability to stimulate DNA synthesis, promoting regeneration of damaged liver tissue (it is due to this regenerative effect of silymarin that we have named our patented Silybum Marianum Extract as UNISOUL® Renew).
Damaged hair follicles also require detoxification and regeneration, hence it's not surprising that Silybum Marianum Extract can prevent hair loss and promote hair growth.
In a recent clinical controlled study published in September this year, it was found that Silybum Marianum Extract significantly increased hair density and total hair count in subjects within just 16 weeks.
This is because silymarin in Silybum Marianum Extract activates protein kinase B and the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, promoting a crucial early stage in the growth phase - the formation of the hair papilla.
Moreover, Silybum Marianum Extract can inhibit the aging of hair papilla cells and promote their proliferation. It also increases the production of VEGF to promote angiogenesis (note that caffeine only dilates existing blood vessels) and reduces the secretion of the inflammatory factor IL-6, thereby reversing the micro-inflammatory environment in the hair follicle.
Being able to activate hair papilla cells, promote angiogenesis, reduce inflammation is already remarkable, but Silybum Marianum Extract can also balance the immune system and prevent fibrosis. Therefore, patients with alopecia areata or those experiencing fibrosis on the scalp can also benefit from Silybum Marianum Extract.
The effectiveness of Silybum Marianum Extract is directly related to the concentration of its active ingredients. Therefore, we invest a considerable amount of funding and time in developing our own extract that truly delivers results.
Firstly, we utilize supercritical extraction technology to extract the main lipids from milk thistle seeds, avoiding the inefficiencies and residue issues associated with traditional organic solvent extraction. Then, we screened betaine and ascorbyl glucoside as hydrogen bond acceptors and donors, respectively, to prepare a cosolvent named DES (Deep Eutectic Solvent) specifically for silymarin extraction.
As a result, we successfully enriched the active ingredients, improved their stability in formulations, and significantly enhanced their penetration efficiency.
Other ingredients
Another active ingredient related to hair growth, which has a structure very similar to Minoxidil but is more easily soluble and absorbable, is PYRROLIDINYL DIAMINOPYRIMIDINE OXIDE, marketed under the name Kopyrrol. It is a key component in many leading anti-hair loss and hair growth products internationally.
In addition to Kopyrrol, we also include phytosterols, which can inhibit 5α-reductase and reduce the production of DHT, as well as a mixture of amino acids that provides raw materials for keratin production, and so on.
In summary, our goal is to inhibit DHT, peroxides, and inflammatory factors, stimulate cell regeneration through growth factors, improve blood circulation, and employ various other pathways to prolong the stay of more hair in the growth phase and encourage dormant hair follicles to grow new hair quickly. Through a comprehensive approach, hair naturally becomes thicker and fuller.
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