Does Caffeine in shampoo reach hair follicles?
Loris Busch, Anna Lena Klein, Fabien Schumacher, Burkhard Kleuser, Martina C. Meinke
Intentet of Experimental and Applied Cutaneous Physiology, Department of Dermatology, Referreotagy and Allergology, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
Department of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, Philipps University Marburg, Robert-Koch-Str. 4, 35037 Marburg, Germany
The Procter & Gamble Company, Beauty Care Product Development Mason, Mason, OH 45040, USA
Institute of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str. 2+4, 14195 Berlin, Germany
Follicular Delivery of Caffeine from a Shampoo for Hair Retention
BACKGROUND
A key factor in the prevention of hair loss is the provision of optimal conditions on the scalp. In this regard, reduction of oxidative stress on the scalp is one critical requirement to support the hair follicles to function optimally. Recently, a novel shampoo formulation technology containing anti-oxidants such as piroctone olamine has been demonstrated to improve hair retention based on micellar degradation and coacervation effects. Caffeine also exhibits antioxidant properties, potentially enhancing hair retention via follicular delivery.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if a new shampoo formulation technology could effectively deliver caffeine to the hair follicles, enhancing its antioxidant activity and benefiting hair retention.
METHOD
Two shampoo formulations and a control were applied to the calf area of nine male participants. Differential tape stripping was used to extract caffeine from the stratum corneum and hair follicles. Isotope-dilution liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was employed to quantify caffeine delivery from the shampoo formulas. The percentage of caffeine recovered in the hair follicles was then calculated.
RESULTS
The results showed that the percentage of caffeine recovered in the hair follicles was 8-9% of the caffeine absorbed into the skin and matched an existing caffeine-based shampoo.
CONCLUSION
Novel shampoo formulation technology has been developed that effectively delivers beneficial anti-oxidants to improve hair retention. Data from the current study show coincident effective delivery of caffeine to the skin surface and follicles.
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CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT
J.R.S. and K.P. are employees of The Procter & Gamble Company. The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.