Astaxanthin, an ingredient for hair care?

Of a reddish-orange hue, astaxanthin is a pigment naturally found in certain marine plants and some fish. It is found in krill, crustaceans, plankton, lobster, trout, and salmon. The color of astaxanthin, in fact, explains their pink and reddish hues. However, the primary natural source of this pigment is a micro-algae: the Haematococcus pluvialis. Just like the skin, hair and the scalp can also benefit from the numerous virtues of astaxanthin.

• Astaxanthin combats scalp inflammation.

  Astaxanthin has proven anti-inflammatory activity that can soothe the scalp. It has been demonstrated that astaxanthin is capable of reducing levels of MMP and pro-inflammatory cytokines by inhibiting the activity of IκB kinase, a complex responsible for controlling the activation of NF-κB. This keeps NF-κB, a pro-inflammatory signaling pathway, inactive in the cellular cytoplasm, allowing it to reduce inflammation. As an integral part of the epidermis, the scalp can also benefit from this property. Therefore, astaxanthin helps to prevent irritation and itching associated with scalp inflammation.

• Astaxanthin combats baldness.

  Astaxanthin may be a solution to hair loss associated with androgenetic alopecia. Indeed, it is a natural inhibitor of the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme. It acts on this enzyme to lower the level of DHT (dihydrotestosterone). This latter is an androgen hormone, the main source of baldness.

  The primary cause of hair loss is triggered by the presence of free radicals. Therefore, the antioxidant aspect of astaxanthin also helps to counter these free radicals and limit hair loss. However, no scientific study has been conducted on this subject.

• Astaxanthin delays the onset of the first gray hairs.

  The premature appearance of gray hair is promoted by oxidative stress, which produces an excess of free radicals. These trigger chain reactions that damage the cells that make up the scalp. Thanks to its antioxidant action, theastaxanthin traps free radicals and can thus potentially delay the onset of the first gray hairs.