Valensa promotes saw palmetto for hair growth

Transparency Market Research projects that the hair supplements market will exceed $2.86 billion by 2031. The research firm highlighted the growing consumer preference for “organic, clean label, and healthy chemical-free hair supplements in the personal care and nutraceutical industries, which is expected to drive the growth of the hair supplements market.”

Additionally, some consumers are moving away from biotin supplements, a water-soluble B vitamin, for promoting hair growth due to potential side effects like upset stomach, skin rashes, and kidney problems, as noted by Transparency Market Research. Nevertheless, there is still demand for solutions, particularly as excessive hair thinning has become a concern during and after Covid-19, the research firm suggested.

For Valensa CEO Umasudhan Palaniswamy, hair loss is a personal battle. He began losing his hair in his early 20s and experimented with various remedies, including biotin and multivitamins, to promote hair growth, but to no avail, he shared.

“Just like plants won’t thrive without a healthy root system, simply watering and adding nutrients like biotin or keratin won’t help if the root is damaged,” he explained. “Once your hair follicles are lost, they’re gone. Pharmaceutical drugs were the only options available to me at that time, but I didn’t want to take them.”

How USPlusDerm works

The efficacy of USPlusDerm is supported by scientific research demonstrating in an ex vivo model that the ingredient impedes the biochemical signaling responsible for transitioning hair out of the healthy growth phase, Palaniswamy shared.

USPlusDerm, an extension of the saw palmetto-based ingredient USPlus used for prostate health, employs an innovative ultra-high-pressure supercritical CO2 process to concentrate the essential bioactive fatty acids required by hair follicles. Palaniswamy added that this proprietary technology concentrates these specific fatty acids in their free form to deliver the most potent and effective supplement.

Moreover, it enhances the size of the dermal papilla, which is the root bulb of the hair follicle. Research published in Dermatology Practical and Conceptual also indicated that the ingredient aids in the differentiation of keratin-producing cells known as keratinocytes that contribute to the production of hair shaft keratin during growth. Keratinocytes also participate in androgen degradation, potentially aiding in hair loss prevention.

The free fatty acids found in USPlusDerm are crucial for hair health, as they are the most common lipids in the hair matrix. These fatty acids serve as the foundation for healthy hair, playing a significant role in shielding against environmental and chemical damage, preventing hair breakage and thinning, and preserving shine, strength, and manageability, as per publications in the Journal of Cosmetic Science, International Journal of Trichology, and the Journal of Anatomy.

The key lies in a high-quality standardized oil extract of saw palmetto, also known as a lipidosterolic extract of Serenoa repens (LSESr), Palaniswamy explained. According to the U.S. Pharmacopeia, this extract must contain a minimum of 80% fatty acids in a specific ratio to lauric acid, creating a unique “bioactive fatty acid fingerprint signature.” Palaniswamy noted that in a recent study, only one of 28 commercially available saw palmetto extracts met these criteria, and USPlusDerm was one of them.

Women’s hair growth

As per Dermatologic Surgery, male pattern hair loss affects 50% of men by the age of 50. Women also experience the effects of androgenic alopecia, the most common type of hair loss. In women, this typically manifests as thinning hair on the top and sides of the head.

Both men and women undergo hair shedding due to the balance of male hormones. Testosterone, the predominant circulating androgen, is converted to the more potent androgen dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by the enzyme 5α-reductase (5αR), Palaniswamy outlined. In adult men, this process even leads to growth and enlargement of the prostate, according to Urology.

“High levels of DHT in the scalp, as a result of testosterone conversion in the dermal papilla within the inner root sheath, play a critical role in shortening the hair follicle’s growth cycle,” he added.

Palaniswamy has firsthand experience with this issue, as his wife faced hair shedding after their second child’s birth. The stress induced by post-pregnancy hair loss made him more attuned to women’s hair health needs.

However, not everyone believes that palmetto-based supplements are the ideal solution for women when it comes to preventing hair loss.

Rob Maru, the head of innovation at Naomi Whittel, a company specializing in supplements and wellness for women, mentioned that several studies have shown the positive impact of saw palmetto on hair health when elevated DHT levels are a contributing factor.

Maru also pointed out that numerous factors like stress, inflammation, antioxidant status, and lifestyle play a role in hair health, and saw palmetto alone may not address all root causes. While some studies focused on male participants showed benefits, those including females demonstrated only modest improvements.

Maru emphasized the need for larger-scale, gold-standard, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies on saw palmetto or other plant sources of phytosterols that could potentially display benefits in a shorter timeframe. This validation could benefit all women seeking to enhance hair quality, not just those grappling with female pattern baldness.

Palaniswamy mentioned that Valensa is conducting research to determine the appropriate dosage of saw palmetto extract for both men and women, noting that “studies have shown it to be effective at the same dosage level.”