Why Scalp Health is Skin Health

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OS-01 HAIR peptide scalp serum

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You already know the drill regarding facial skin care—cleansers, moisturizers, SPFs, just to name the basics—but how many of you care for your scalp beyond washing it?

The scalp is often overlooked in skin care discussions despite enduring similar external and internal stressors as the rest of your skin. These stressors hasten aging, inflammation, and structural decline. As the scalp skin is the biological anchor for hair follicles, this aging can negatively affect its health, decreasing hair quality, density, and strength.

So, what are some of these sources of damage to your scalp, and how can you care for your scalp like you care for the rest of your skin?

How Is The Skin On Your Scalp Unique?

The skin on your scalp is fairly unique due to the high sebum production and concentration of hair follicles. Driven by a dense concentration of hair follicles and sweat glands, the scalp's elevated sebum levels provide an ideal bacterial and fungal growth environment if not properly managed. A disrupted scalp microbiome can leave your scalp predisposed to dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, tinea capitis, pediculosis capitis, and psoriasis.[1]

Moreover, the scalp’s higher density of hair follicles means it has a greater metabolic demand and blood flow. One of the primary effects of aging on the scalp is a decrease in microvasculature or blood vessels through the skin. Age-related nutrient deficiencies, impaired microcirculation, or hormonal imbalances can significantly impact the scalp's function and cause a thinning of the scalp and, potentially, hair loss.[2]

What Are Some Common Causes of Scalp Health Disruptors?

Many things can throw your scalp out of balance, causing irritation, inflammation, and even stunting your hair growth. From natural aging processes like cellular senescence to lifestyle habits, here are some of the factors that can make a big difference to the health of your scalp:

Oxidative Stress

Your scalp is constantly exposed to oxidative stress from internal and external sources, such as UV radiation and pollution. Over time, reactive oxygen species (ROS) or free radicals create damage that accelerates cellular deterioration, impairs the scalp’s repair mechanisms, and contributes to premature follicular aging, which in turn causes increased inflammation.[3]

So what does this oxidative stress mean for your hair? As you age, your natural antioxidant defenses decline, further amplifying the effects of oxidative stress. Emerging evidence suggests that oxidative stress directly affects your hair follicles and is a central factor in hair graying and alopecia.[4]

Cellular Senescence

Like the skin on the rest of your body, your scalp accumulates senescent cells throughout your life. These senescent cells become dysfunctional and release inflammatory factors known as senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) that can send surrounding cells into premature senescence. Within your hair follicles, senescence affects the cells responsible for hair growth, like dermal papilla cells (DPCs) and outer root sheath cells (ORSCs), contributing to thinning and hair loss.[5,6]

What's more, stress and oxidative damage only make things worse. Hormones like corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), which spikes during stressful periods (and even pregnancy), have been shown to push hair follicle cells into premature senescence, disrupting growth cycles.[7] Luckily, a decrease in senescent ORSCs has been associated with hair re-growth, meaning that some age-related hair loss may be reversible.[8]

Lifestyle Habits

Your daily habits—what you eat, how well you manage stress, and even how you sleep—can profoundly impact your scalp health. Here are how some common lifestyle choices can affect the health of your scalp and the appearance of your hair:

Sleep: Sleep is when the body repairs and regenerates cells, including those in the scalp. Research has indicated that people with sleep disorders have a higher risk of developing certain forms of alopecia, likely due to increased inflammatory markers that interfere with regular follicular activity.[9]
Diet: Hair follicles need a steady supply of nutrients, proteins, and vitamins to produce hair. A diet lacking these nutrients can impair scalp health and follicular function, leading to slower hair growth and increased fragility. Plus, if you aren't getting enough antioxidants from your diet, your scalp may be more vulnerable to oxidative stress that can contribute to premature scalp aging.[10]
Stress: Chronic stress can seriously disrupt the health of your scalp and hair follicles. High levels of stress increase cortisol, which can push hair follicles into a resting (telogen) phase too soon, potentially leading to increased shedding and slower regrowth.[11] Prolonged exposure to stress hormones may also trigger inflammation, worsening scalp conditions like dandruff or psoriasis.[12]
Hair Care: Overwashing with harsh shampoos can strip the scalp of its natural oils, leading to irritation and barrier dysfunction. These products can also disrupt the delicate scalp microbiome, weakening the skin barrier and causing dandruff or irritation. Too much heat styling can also weaken hair and contribute to follicle damage.
Alcohol: The link between alcohol and hair health is complex—some studies suggest that moderate drinking might reduce the risk of certain types of hair loss, but too much alcohol can trigger inflammation and nutrient deficiencies that negatively impact scalp health, leading to premature scalp aging.[9]
Obesity: Obesity has been linked to systemic inflammation, which can contribute to scalp-related issues and hair loss. Higher levels of oxidative stress and hormonal imbalances associated with excess weight may contribute to follicular miniaturization and an increased risk of certain types of hair loss.[9]

How to Support Scalp Health for Optimal Hair Growth

A healthy scalp is the foundation for strong, vibrant hair. If you’re dealing with thinning hair, dandruff, or irritation, it might be time to take a closer look at how you’re supporting your scalp:

Nutrient delivery

Your scalp needs the proper nutrients to grow strong and healthy hair. Here are some common sources of nutrients that may help reinforce your scalp health:

Iron: Iron deficiency is one of the most common nutritional deficiencies and can contribute to hair thinning—although the degree to which it is responsible is still unclear. A diet rich in iron may help counteract these effects (and some of the others associated with anemia)[10]
Zinc: Zinc, a key trace mineral, plays a role in gene expression and cell function. When your body lacks zinc, it can lead to hair brittleness and a host of other side effects. Support your hair growth with zinc rich foods like meats, whole grains, and nuts.[10]
Fatty acids: Fatty acids like omega-3 and omega-6 help your body naturally modulate androgen activity and inhibit 5α-reductase, a mechanism similar to the action of finasteride. While the effects will not be as drastic, ensuring your diet contains plenty of healthy fatty acids can keep your scalp and hair healthy.[10]
Biotin: While biotin is frequently marketed for hair growth, clinical trials have not demonstrated its efficacy in individuals without a deficiency.[10]

Microbiome balance

The scalp microbiome is pivotal in maintaining skin homeostasis and preventing inflammatory conditions like dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis. Many traditional treatments for these conditions rely on shampoos containing zinc pyrithione, ketoconazole, selenium sulfide, and salicylic acid, which target fungal and microbial imbalances.[14]

However, these treatments can sometimes cause irritation or dryness. Emerging research suggests a more holistic approach involving microbiome-friendly scalp treatments like pre and postbiotics. This may provide a gentler alternative to targeting these scalp concerns by maintaining microbial diversity.[14]

Antioxidants

Antioxidants in your diet and topical products can help reinforce your scalp against oxidative stress. However, research indicates that while dietary antioxidants support endogenous antioxidant systems, excessive supplementation with isolated antioxidants may paradoxically increase oxidative stress. Whole-food sources of antioxidants, such as berries, nuts, and leafy greens, are generally safer and more effective.[10]

When searching for topical products containing antioxidants, look for those validated to support the health of your hair and scalp, like vitamin E, A, and D.[10]

How Does OS-01 HAIR Boost Scalp Health and Longevity?

Hair thinning and loss aren’t just cosmetic concerns—they are biological processes influenced by cellular aging, oxidative stress, and inflammation. OS-01 HAIR, the first scalp serum powered by OS-01, directly addresses this issue by reducing cellular senescence and creating an optimal environment for follicle health to restore natural hair density. Paired with other powerhouse ingredients, OS-01 HAIR is clinically validated to reactivate the hair growth cycle, improve follicle density, and boost thickness.[15]

Here's how OS-01 HAIR works at the cellular level to optimize scalp health:

Prebiotics

OS-01 HAIR fosters a healthy environment for healthy skin bacteria with two powerhouse prebiotics, Inulin and Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide(GOS). Prebiotics feed specific strains of helpful bacteria on your skin, allowing them to outcompete and limit the proliferation of harmful microorganisms. Research has shown that inulin activates bacterial carbohydrate metabolism, producing short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) like lactic acid, a critical ingredient for skin hydration and pH regulation. SCFAs also play a role in epidermal turnover, reinforcing the scalp barrier against environmental aggressors.[16,17]

Here’s what that means for your hair:

Reduced scalp irritation and inflammation factors from harmful bacteria, mitigating the risk of follicle damage and early hair thinning.
Enhanced scalp hydration, preventing dryness and flakiness that weaken the scalp barrier.
An optimal hair growth environment ensures that follicles remain healthy, resilient, and productive.

In fact OS-01 HAIR is scientifically proven to reduce a key biomarker of inflammation, IL-6, which has been linked to multiple types of hair loss.[15,18,19]

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.

Delivers nutrients

Proper hair health begins beneath the surface. A well-nourished scalp and properly supported hair follicles are essential for maintaining density, strength, and longevity. OS-01 HAIR achieves this by supplying your scalp and hair follicles with nutrients that support natural hair growth. Here are two of the ingredients that make that possible:

Ginseng Root Extract: This traditional remedy has strong scientific support for its benefits for scalp health. Research has found that ginseng intake supports blood vessel health by modulating vasodilation, oxidative stress, and inflammatory cytokines, which are crucial for maintaining healthy follicular activity.[20] This increased blood flow can boost nutrient delivery to the scalp and hair follicles. Ginsenosides found in Panax ginseng, such as Rg3 and Rd, have been demonstrated in in vivo studies to inhibit 5-alpha-reductase, the enzyme responsible for converting testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT)—a key driver of pattern balding.[20]
Rice Bran Water: Rice water has recently become popular as an at-home way to strengthen and smooth hair. But science suggests that it may do more than just that. Rice water is packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants like inositol, a bioactive carbohydrate shown to penetrate and repair damaged hair while modulating specific endocrine pathways associated with hair loss.[21] Plus, rice bran water can help gently exfoliate your scalp, ensuring follicles remain clear of debris and primed for optimal growth.

Antioxidants

OS-01 HAIR is formulated with several powerful antioxidants that work to counteract the effects of oxidative stress. Here are two included in OS-01 HAIR for their ability to reinforce follicular resilience and longevity:

Fisetin: Fisetin, a flavonoid found in strawberries and apples, is known for its potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Research has shown that fisetin reduces oxidative stress and inflammation in hair follicles, helping them remain active and healthy for extended periods. Fisetin was found to induce a shift from the resting (telogen) phase to the growth (anagen) phase in the hair follicle cycle, which helps activate bulge stem cells—essential for promoting new hair growth.[22] It may also promote cellular rejuvenation, reducing the accumulation of senescent cells that can interfere with hair growth.[23]
Sunflower Sprout Extract: This extract contains several antioxidants and essential vitamins, including vitamins A, D, and E.[24] These nutrients help to neutralize oxidative stress, support hair density, and maintain follicular function over time. Sunflower sprout extract has also been shown to boost mitochondrial function and inhibit collagen-degrading inflammatory cytokines like IL-6 and TNF-α, which contribute to weakening scalp health, follicular atrophy and premature thinning.[24]

How Does The OS-01 Peptide Reduce Cellular Senescence in Hair Cells?

Why stop at just hair health when you can also address hair aging with the OS-01 Senescence Blocking Peptide™? After all, these senescent cells don’t just stop working—they actively interfere with healthy hair growth, causing thinning and weaker strands.[25,26] OS-01 HAIR helps reduce scalp aging by actively blocking the spread of senescent cells and reducing overall senescence. Thanks to the OS-01 peptide, OS-01 HAIR is scientifically proven to reduce senescence levels in skin models and hair cells.[15]

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.

The best part? You don’t have to wait until you notice thinning to take action. Whether you’re seeing early signs of hair loss or want to keep your hair and scalp strong for the long haul, OS-01 HAIR is your go-to solution for thicker, healthier locks.

Key Takeaways

Treating your scalp like the rest of your skin helps prevent inflammation and hair thinning.
Oxidative stress weakens hair follicles, leading to thinning and graying. Your body's antioxidant defenses decline with age, making scalp protection vital.
Stress and oxidative damage accelerate cellular aging, sending cells into premature senescence, triggering inflammation and follicle damage.
Poor sleep, diet, and stress can influence hair growth and scalp conditions.
Scientifically proven to lower a key inflammation biomarker and clinically validated to improve follicle density, OS-01 HAIR reduces cellular senescence, promoting a reactivation of follicles for thicker, fuller, denser hair.

References

Last Updated April 02, 2025

Reviewed by

Alessandra Zonari

PhD, Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) and Co-Founder of OneSkin

Alessandra earned her Master’s degree in stem cell biology, and her PhD in skin regeneration and tissue engineering at the Federal University of Minas Gerais in Brazil in collaboration with the 3B’s Research Group in Portugal. Alessandra did a second post-doctoral at the University of Coimbra in Portugal. She is a co-inventor of three patents and has published 20 peer-reviewed papers in scientific journals.

Why Scalp Health is Skin Health

OS-01 HAIR peptide scalp serum

How Is The Skin On Your Scalp Unique?