How to revitalize your scalp microbiome?
In this article you will learn about the impact of Piroctone Olamine shampoo on the scalp microbiome and its connection to dandruff severity. The study used shotgun metagenomics to analyze the scalp microbiomes of 94 subjects, revealing that dandruff scalps have higher levels of Malassezia restricta and Staphylococcus capitis. After a 3-week treatment with the shampoo, the abundance of these organisms decreased, while Cutibacterium acnes increased, correlating with improved dandruff symptoms and reduced oxidative stress-related genes.
Ping Hu, Jim Henry, Jay P. Tiesman, Mirjana Parlov, Rob Bacon, Duane Charbonneau, Arvind Venkataraman, Kathryn C. S. Locker, Holly Krigbaum, Jim Schwartz
Scalp microbiome composition changes and pathway evaluations due to effective treatment with Piroctone Olamine shampoo
Objective
To characterize the scalp microbial composition, function, and connection to dandruff severity using a metagenomics approach and to understand the impact of a Piroctone Olamine containing anti-dandruff shampoo on the scalp microbiome.
Methods
Shotgun metagenomics was used to characterize the composition of the scalp microbiomes from 94 subjects with and without clinically defined dandruff. Furthermore, the microbiome of the scalps of 100 dandruff sufferers before and after 3 weeks of treatment with either control or anti-dandruff shampoo containing 0.5% Piroctone Olamine (PO) was characterized and compared to identify microorganisms associated with the dandruff condition and the associated pathways and processes that may contribute to PO's effect on scalp microbiome.
Results
A higher relative abundance of Malassezia restricta and Staphylococcus capitis and a lower abundance of Cutibacterium acnes were associated with the dandruff scalps relative to the no-dandruff scalps. A 3-week PO shampoo treatment reduced the relative abundance of Malassezia species and Staphylococcus capitis and increased the relative abundance of Cutibacterium acnes. This change to the scalp microbiome composition is consistent with a return to a healthy no-dandruff microbiome and improved clinical signs and symptoms as measured by adherent scalp flaking score (ASFS) compared with the control shampoo. Functional genomics analysis showed that the PO shampoo treatment reduced oxidative stress-associated genes and decreased the abundance of protease, urease, and lipase genes. These changes correlated positively to improvements in dandruff severity. PO treatment favourably shifted scalp microbiomes in dandruff subjects toward the no-dandruff state.
Conclusion
Our results suggest that part of the aetiology of dandruff can be attributed to dysbiosis of the scalp microbiome. PO treatment can restore a healthier microbiome, reducing oxidative stress and promoting better scalp health.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT
All authors are current or retired employees of Procter & Gamble and owners of P&G stocks.
The Procter & Gamble Company,
Mason, Ohio, USA
Correspondence
Ping Hu, The Procter & Gamble
Company, 8700 Mason Montgomery
Road, Mason, Ohio 45040, USA.
Email: hu.p@pg.com
Funding information
Procter & Gamble Company
FAQ
The study focuses on evaluating the impact of Piroctone Olamine shampoo on the scalp microbiome and its connection to dandruff severity using a metagenomics approach. It involved analyzing the microbiomes of dandruff-afflicted and non-dandruff scalps to determine the shampoo's effects.
Piroctone Olamine shampoo reduces the abundance of Malassezia restricta and Staphylococcus capitis while increasing Cutibacterium acnes, which correlates with improved dandruff symptoms. These changes suggest a healthier scalp microbiome and reduced oxidative stress.
After 3 weeks of treatment, there was a significant reduction in dandruff severity and a favorable shift in the scalp microbiome towards a no-dandruff state. The treatment also decreased oxidative stress-related genes, contributing to better scalp health.