Hair loss is no joking matter. After Comedian Chris Rock made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s closely cropped hair, Will Smith’s violent defense of his wife’s hair loss from alopecia was the slap heard (and seen) around the world.

Smith’s attack was widely condemned, but it did help propel the discussion of hair loss, which is a growing problem in the world. According to a study published last month, the global market for alopecia treatments is growing 5.1% a year  and will reach $13.8 billion by 2028. The study was published by Reports and Data.

Healthy hair cycles include 2-8 years of active growth (anagen phase), a transition phase of 2-3 weeks (catagen phase), and a 2-4 month resting phase (telogen phase). After these cycles are completed, hair returns to the anagen phase.  Most (90%) of scalp hair on the scalp is in the Anagen phase. Less than 1% of hair is in the catagen phase. At the end of the telogen phase, some hair falls out. Loosing up to 100 hairs a day is normal, according to experts.

Androgenetic alopecia is inherited hair loss. The anagen phase gets shorter. Hair follicles sprout thinner hairs. Eventually, the follicles wither.

Alopecia areata is caused when the immune system erroneously attacks hair follicles. The attacks worsen when hair follicles enter the telogen phase too soon.

Finally, telogen effluvium hair loss occurs when large numbers of hairs enter the resting phase, which causes shedding and thinning. Experts say usually no more than 50% of the hair is affected, and hair loss may occur up to three months after the event that causes it. Causes include:

• Mental stress or physical stress, such as recent surgery, illness or high fever;
• Poor nutrition, especially lack of protein or iron in the diet;
• Side effects of medicine; or
• Changes in hormone levels, such as those that occur after childbirth or menopause.

Whatever the cause, incidence of hair loss is growing. That’s good news for Salvona Encapsulation Technologies. The company recently held a well-attended webinar highlighting several proprietary technologies that enable cosmetic chemists to create novel haircare formulas.

Sam Shefer, president of Salvona, explained that SalSphere Hair Stimulator contains only cosmetic ingredients. Its SalSphere Hair Stimulator is a microsphere 0.1-0.5 microns in size. The core contains six ingredients: caffeine, azelic acid, saw palmetto, zinc sulfate, biotin (vitamin B7) and skullcap extract. Each is said to impart unique benefits.

“This is a cosmetic, not a pharmaceutical,” he insisted.






The proprietary technology delivers multiple actives into the hair follicle where it is needed.

“The material gets right to the root of the hair. That’s what makes it unique and that’s why I’m talking about it,” he told webinar attendees. “Anything we put on the scalp, stays on the scalp. We need follicular delivery!”

A Solid Core of Active Ingredients

For example, azelic acid has antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties, and has been known to inhibit 5-alpha-reductase.  Biotin is said to stimulate keratin production, hair thickness and natural shine. Saw palmetto reduces the activity of 5-alpha reductase. Zinc sulfate balances hormone levels and boosts procyanidin B2 and vitamin B6 activities.

The benefits of formulating with SalSphere technology, according to Shefer, is that it provides a consistent, fixed dose of multiple actives. It is stable, ensuring no crystallization. Its nonionic nature makes it compatible with most thickeners. Finally, since it is delivered via the follicles, dosage levels can be reduced and results are faster.

In one clinical study, 80% of subjects who applied Salvona’s SalSphere Natural Hair Growth Promoter saw significant hair regrowth within a few months.

“SalSphere Natural Hair Growth promoter contains all-natural, functional ingredients,” said Shefer. “It has an extended shelf-life, early indication for efficacy, and is safe for both men and women.”

According to Shefer, both SalSphere Hair Stimulator and SalSphere Natural Hair Growth Promoter offer:
• Encapsulated blends of effective natural ingredients to reverse and repair signs of hair aging;
• Blends of functional ingredients that activate different mechanisms to regulate hair growth; and
• Targeted delivery systems that enhance the bioavailability at the hair follicles.

Salvona recommends both technologies get used simultaneously for best results.

Apple Application

Shefer also detailed the benefits of procyanidin B2, a dimeric derivative found in apples and grapeseed.  He reviewed clinical studies that demonstrated the apple extract increased hair diameter by 78.9% and resulted in significant increase in hair regrowth compared to the control. Furthermore, the material is safe; there are no negative side effects such as sexual dysfunction, according to Shefer. In one study, application of procyanidin B2 resulted in 2X the hair growth stimulation of Minoxidil.

“We conduct a lot of research and we want to share it with you,” Shefer told attendees.