We’re excited to introduce OS-01 HAIR, our latest breakthrough in longevity. After seeing the success of our OS-01 peptide in reversing skin aging, we asked the obvious question—could it do the same for hair? The answer will change the way you think about hair loss and thinning.
Hair loss is a complex biological process influenced by genetics, hormonal fluctuations, and environmental stressors. Yet, emerging research suggests that there may be a common denominator in 3 primary types of hair loss—cellular senescence.[1,2,3,4,5]
While traditional hair loss treatments like minoxidil and finasteride/dutasteride focus on improving circulation or blocking hormones, targeting cellular senescence could unlock a missing piece to reactivating the hair growth cycle. Leveraging the senescence-blocking properties of the OS-01 peptide, OS-01 HAIR represents a more effective way to turn back the clock on your hair follicles without a prescription or the unwanted side effects of other hair loss treatments.[6,7,8]
What Role Does Cellular Senescence Play In Hair Loss?
Due to accumulated damage, senescent cells lose their ability to divide, but don’t die like healthy aged cells, and slowly accumulate throughout your body as you age. When cells responsible for hair growth, dermal papilla and outer root sheath cells (ORSCs), enter a senescent state, they lose their regenerative potential, preventing them from sustaining the growth (anagen) phase of the hair growth cycle. This results in progressively finer, shorter, and less dense hair. Senescence likely plays a role in several common forms of hair loss like age-related thinning, stress-induced thinning, and pattern balding.[1,2,3]
Senescence is not a passive process, however. Senescent cells excrete a number of pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and matrix metalloproteinases called senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). These factors disrupt the extracellular matrix, degrade the follicular microenvironment, and impair stem cell function, leading to hair follicle miniaturization and prolonged telogen phase duration.[6]
The Solution: Targeting Cellular Senescence
Instead of treating hair loss symptoms, OS-01 HAIR directly targets a root cause of follicular aging—the accumulation of senescent cells. Paired with powerhouse ingredients designed to boost scalp and hair health, OS-01 HAIR:
- Promotes thicker, denser hair by reactivating the natural growth cycle.[7]
- Reduces key senescence marker related to hair loss and pattern balding, IL-6, in hair cells.[7]
- Significantly reduces senescence in hair cells.[7]
Shown in lab studies by staining skin cells (human dermal fibroblasts from individuals with Hutchinson Gilford Progeria) with SA-Bgal to identify senescent cells. Cells treated with the OS-01 peptide displayed a significant reduction in senescence compared to untreated cells. (Zonari, A., et al. npj Aging, 2023) Note: In npj Aging publication,"Pep 14" = OS-01 peptide
But don't just take our word for it, here's an in-depth look into the rigorous clinical and lab research backing up OS-01 HAIR:
6-Month Double-Blind Clinical Study Results
OneSkin partnered with a third-party research organization to conduct a 6-month double-blind clinical study on the efficacy of OS-01 HAIR. Thirty participants were enrolled in the study, applying the treatment 2x daily with a standardized dermaroller protocol to optimize transdermal peptide absorption and ensure uniform delivery.[9]
Using instruments to measure the number of anagen (growth phase) hairs, the density of hair, and the thickness of the strands, researchers found that OS-01 HAIR:
- Promotes significantly thicker hair. (Shown in 83.33% of participants with an average improvement of 42.58% after 6 months.) [9]
- Improves hair density (Shown in 86.67% of participants with an average improvement of 39.62% after 6 months. Shown in 70% of participants with an average improvement of 9.97% after 3 months.)[9]
- Reactivates the hair growth cycle with significantly more hairs in the anagen (growth) phase after treatment. (Shown in 73.33% of participants with an average improvement of 42.39% after 6 months.)[9]
Male participants responded well to OS-01 HAIR, with:
- 100% of men experienced an average increase of 36.68% in hair thickness after 6 months of using OS-01 HAIR. Additionally, 6 out of 7 (85.71%) men experienced an average increase of 28.42% increase in hair thickness within 3 months, indicating that improvements in hair thickness increase over time.[9]
- 6 out of 7 (85.71%) men experienced an average increase of 20.19% in anagen (growth-phase) hairs within 3 months and 35.42% within 6 months. This indicates that their hair growth cycle returned to a healthier state in as little as 3 months with more improvements over time.[9]
- 6 out of 7 (85.71%) men experienced an average increase of 34.86% in hair density after 6 months of using OS-01 HAIR.[9]
Subjective feedback from participants further supported these findings:
3 months:
- 80% saw improvements in their hair.[9]
- 76.67% reported overall improvement in hair health.[9]
- 76.67% observed new hair growth.[9]
- 73.33% noted an increase in hair fullness.[9]
- 70% experienced faster hair growth.[9]
- 70% felt their scalp was better nourished.[9]
6 months:
- 70.00% said existing hair grew faster
- 76.67% said the overall health of their hair improved
- 73.33% reported decreased shedding
- 83.33% said their hair felt nourished
- 70% reported thicker hair
- 73.33% reported stronger hair
- 70% said hair's natural texture was enhanced
How Did OneSkin Test OS-01 HAIR in The Lab?
Since the OS-01 peptide is known to work at the cellular level to target senescence, OneSkin researchers conducted in vitro studies on outer root sheath cells (ORSCs)—key cells in the hair follicle which contribute to growth and regeneration. These studies assessed two primary biomarkers of follicular dysfunction: cellular senescence and inflammation, and helped us further validate the mechanism of action behind OS-01 HAIR:
OS-01 HAIR Significantly Reduces Senescence in Hair Cells
Our scientists treated hair cells with corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), a stress hormone known to induce senescence and contribute to hair loss, combined with OS-01 HAIR or nothing.[5] They then measured senescence levels using senescence-associated beta-galactosidase staining, which selectively colors senescent cells blue.
As expected, CRH-treated cells showed a significant increase in senescence. However, treatment with CRH and OS-01 HAIR significantly reduced senescence levels. This demonstrates that OS-01 HAIR can target senescence in hair cells, which has implications for multiple types of hair loss. Furthermore, its ability to significantly reduce CRH-induced senescence suggests that OS-01 HAIR may be a promising candidate for addressing stress-induced hair loss.[7]
Shown in lab studies on ORSCs (hair follicle cells) by measuring the change in senescence via senescence associated-beta galactosidase staining. Cells were treated with corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) alone or in combination with OS-01 HAIR. After 72 hours, cells treated with OS-01 HAIR + CRH showed significantly lower senescence levels compared to those treated with CRH alone.
OS-01 HAIR Significantly Reduces a Key Inflammation Biomarker, IL-6, in Hair Cells
Senescent hair cells secrete IL-6, an inflammatory cytokine that contributes to hair follicle dysfunction and hair loss by delaying the growth (anagen) phase and prolonging the shedding (telogen) phase. IL-6 levels have also been shown to increase in aging and stress-induced hair models, further linking it to hair loss.[2,10]
Given IL-6's role in hair loss, our scientists tested whether OS-01 HAIR could reduce its levels in senescent hair cells. They found that treatment with OS-01 HAIR significantly decreased IL-6, highlighting its potential to address key cellular drivers of hair thinning and loss.
Shown in lab studies on ORSCs (hair follicle cells) by measuring the change in IL-6 via qPCR. Cells were treated with corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) alone or in combination with OS-01 HAIR. After 72 hours, cells treated with OS-01 HAIR + CRH showed significantly lower IL-6 levels compared to those treated with CRH alone.
Taken together, our lab and clinical studies indicate that OS-01 HAIR can target cellular senescence—a key contributor to hair thinning and loss, and a factor that almost all other hair loss treatments miss—to reactivate the hair growth cycle and improve hair density.
Key Takeaways
- Aging hair follicles accumulate senescent cells, disrupting growth cycles, and leading to thinning and hair loss.
- Unlike conventional circulation-boosting or hormone-regulating treatments, OS-01 HAIR targets follicular aging at the root by reducing the number of senescent cells in hair follicles.
- OS-01 HAIR reduces levels of IL-6 in hair cells, an inflammatory marker, mitigating inflammation-driven hair loss.
- OS-01 HAIR’s early clinical results indicate that, after only 3 months, it increased hair density and thickness.
References
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378512214003259
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0923181117300269
- https://karger.com/drm/article/239/4/533/836627/Cellular-Senescence-Ageing-and-Androgenetic
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17989730/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38706837/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39614601/
- Based on data from clinical studies and/or lab studies conducted on human skin samples, 3D skin models, and skin or hair cells in the OneSkin lab. Explore more at oneskin.co/claims
- Zonari, A., et al. Senotherapeutic peptide treatment reduces biological age and senescence burden in human skin models. npj Aging, 9(1), 1-15. 2023.
- Shown in 3 month double-blind, independent, third-party clinical study with 30 participants using OS-01 HAIR and dermaroller daily. Results based on self-perception reporting and clinical measurements of anagen hairs, hair shaft thickness and inter follicular mean distance.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5556182/
