In the era of looks, “hair matters” is becoming a major concern for young people today. Scalp health is the foundation of healthy hair; good scalp leads to good hair. On December 22nd, Asian scalp health care expert Off&Relax held the inaugural “Asian Scalp Health Forum” in Hangzhou, Zhejiang. The first session of the forum focused on “The Scientific Hair Care Principles for Asians” and organized a “Asian Hair Loss Research and Exchange Meeting.”
During the event, hair research experts from domestic and international fields shared and discussed cutting-edge research and technological applications, effective ingredients, mechanisms, and other core topics related to hair loss prevention and hair care. Of note, Off&Relax has also established strategic partnerships with the National Integrated Chinese-Western Medicine Center for Hair Diseases and the Hair Medicine Center of the China-Japan Friendship Hospital, both leading institutions in the field of hair research in China. Undoubtedly, the field of hair loss prevention and hair care has welcomed a new player.
Opening of the First Asian Hair Loss Research Conference
According to relevant data, the current scale of the Chinese anti-hair loss and hair growth industry is around 11.4 billion yuan ($1.6 billion), and in recent years, the average market growth rate in this field has reached 15%. According to the “Chinese Hair Loss Population Survey” released by the National Health Commission in 2019, the number of people experiencing hair loss in China has exceeded 250 million, with 38% being born in the 1980s and 36% being born in the 1990s.
The expanding group of people experiencing hair loss is driving the continuous growth of the demand for anti-hair loss and hair growth solutions. The research and technological applications of anti-hair loss and hair growth on a global scale are also undergoing rapid innovation. Against this backdrop, Off&Relax, positioning itself as an expert in Asian scalp health care, initiated a brand academic research project called the “Asian Scalp Health Forum.” The first session of the forum focused on the issue of hair loss and explored “The Scientific Hair Care Principles for Asians.” The National Integrated Chinese-Western Medicine Center for Hair Diseases, as a strategic cooperative unit, and SGS-CSTC Standards Technical Services Co., Ltd. and Shanghai China-norm Quality Technical Service Co., Ltd., as scientific cooperative units, provided joint support for this conference.
The conference brought together a group of top experts and scholars in the field of scalp health from China, Japan, and South Korea. Through the sharing and exchange of cutting-edge technological applications, they explored the scientific hair care principles for Asians. Dr. Yang Jianzhong, the Chief Research and Development Officer of Off&Relax, is hailed as the “Father of Silicone-Free Products.” He is the Chairman of the Japan-China Cosmetics International Exchange Association and former Chairman of the Asian Scalp Health Research Center, with nearly 30 years of experience in the research and development of hair care and styling products.
Distinguished guest speakers invited to the event include Professor Yang Dingquan, the head of the National Integrated Chinese-Western Medicine Center for Hair Diseases and director of the Hair Medicine Center at the China-Japan Friendship Hospital. His research areas include alopecia areata, male pattern baldness, psoriasis, eczema, and other Chinese-Western medicine studies. Professor Pi Longquan, a doctoral graduate from Yonsei University College of Medicine and deputy director of the Dermatology Department at Yanbian University Affiliated Hospital in South Korea, has led several research projects, including the National Natural Science Foundation, and has published over 20 SCI papers. He has also co-authored books such as “Hair Loss” and “Starting with the ‘Head’: Authoritative Experts Decipher Hair and Scalp Issues.” Additionally, there is Professor Nyanmoto Haoji, the first person to apply Type 17 Collagen for anti-hair loss and hair growth from the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Hokkaido University in Japan, and Yang Yang, the Chief Efficacy Assessment Technical Manager for Cosmetics and Cleaning Care Products at SGS, China.
It is evident that the experts and scholars participating in the “Asian Hair Loss Research and Exchange Meeting” have deep academic backgrounds in scalp research, providing professional endorsement for Off&Relax’s research in the field of anti-hair loss and hair growth.
Cooperation with a Renowned Hair Medical Research Institution
It is worth noting that during this exchange meeting, Off&Relax also reached strategic cooperation agreements with the National Integrated Chinese-Western Medicine Center for Hair Diseases and the Hair Medicine Center at the China-Japan Friendship Hospital, holding a signing ceremony. In the future, the parties will conduct a series of academic research and promote collaboration in clinical trials, online diagnosis and treatment, and other projects in the field of scalp health, jointly exploring scalp health care solutions suitable for Asians.
Public information shows that the National Integrated Chinese-Western Medicine Center for Hair Diseases was established in October 2017. It is the first national medical consortium for hair diseases approved by the National Health Commission. It is jointly initiated by the Hair Medicine Center at the China-Japan Friendship Hospital and various second-tier or higher public medical institutions nationwide. As of November 2023, the consortium has 609 member units spread across more than 30 provinces in China. It has led numerous clinical, academic, medical, popular science, and public welfare activities, effectively promoting the construction of China’s hair disease prevention and control system.
It can be seen that after cooperating with the leading hair medical research institution in the country, Off&Relax is expected to further break through in the exploration and research of scalp health in the future.
Off&Relax Hair Growth Special Certification Product Launched
Making Hair Loss a Solved Problem
Type 17 collagen has become one of the significant discoveries in the field of hair loss research in recent years. In 2016, Professor Eimi Nishimura from the Tokyo Medical and Dental University Research Institute of Intractable Diseases published a paper in “Science,” presenting a major finding: Type 17 collagen in the stem cells of the hair bulge area is associated with hair loss. Therefore, promoting the production of type 17 collagen in hair follicle stem cells is an important means of preventing hair loss.
Based on this discovery, Professor Koji Wakamoto from the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Hokkaido University, a scientific consultant for Off&Relax, led a team to conduct a series of foundational research and achieved groundbreaking results. As a result, he was hailed as the “pioneer in basic research on the application of type 17 collagen in hair loss prevention.”
Through DNA array analysis, Professor Wakamoto discovered that vitamin C can promote the expression of Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) and type 17 collagen (col17a1). After verifying that Sonic Hedgehog can induce hair growth in chick embryo skin, his research team turned their attention to type 17 collagen. They conducted the first-ever mouse study, which demonstrated that vitamin C can promote the production of type 17 collagen in mice, leading to hair growth.
Based on rich research in hair loss prevention and type 17 collagen, the Off&Relax research team established a research model for the gene expression of type 17 collagen in hair follicle keratinocytes and successfully discovered multiple effective ingredients that can promote the production of type 17 collagen.
After two years of development, the Off&Relax Hair Loss Prevention Essence was launched in July of this year. This hair loss prevention essence is based on the mechanism of type 17 collagen, revitalizing hair follicles and promoting hair growth. The product primarily solves hair loss problems through three pathways: hair growth, hair retention, and hair loss prevention. Firstly, the product incorporates the exclusive patented natural root acid, Hairgrowju, which is extracted using Off&Relax’s joint patented extraction technology with Teknopower. It can effectively increase the expression of type 17 collagen by ≥20% and promote “hair follicle regeneration.” Secondly, the product contains the brand-exclusive concentrated kudzu root isoflavones (phytoestrogens), with active ingredients nearly 10 times that of similar products, which can effectively promote the synthesis of BMP-2 and accelerate hair growth.
Furthermore, the product also includes two core anti-hair loss ingredients: 1% fermented extract of Job’s tears seeds and extract of Gentiana root. The former is rich in substances such as prebiotics, which can promote the growth of beneficial bacteria, balance the scalp’s microecosystem, regulate the scalp barrier, and reduce microbial irritants. The latter is a plant used in anti-inflammatory medicine, effectively suppressing inflammation symptoms such as scalp redness and itching. Additionally, the product contains naturally sourced dipotassium glycyrrhizinate, which improves skin tolerance and reduces problems such as skin redness and fragility.
Not only does the Off&Relax Hair Loss Prevention Essence possess powerful hair loss prevention and hair growth functions, but it also has a refreshing, gentle, and comfortable texture without a greasy feeling. It does not cause excessive shedding during use.
It is reported that regarding this new hair loss prevention product, Off&Relax initiated the #28-Day Hair Loss Prevention Challenge# in November 2023, gathering over a hundred ordinary people to conduct a 28-day effectiveness test on the product, proving its outstanding hair loss prevention and hair growth capabilities. In addition, the product has undergone testing by third-party authoritative organizations such as SGS and Shanghai Fushuo Zhengtai. The reports showed that after using the product for 14 days, the average hair loss count of the participants decreased by 22.79%, and the average hair density increased by 23.30%. After using the product for 28 days, the average hair loss count decreased by 37.61%, and the average hair density increased by 26.63%. The data proves that the Off&Relax Hair Loss Prevention Essence has an effect on improving hair loss, making hair loss a solved problem.
It is worth noting that the Off&Relax Hair Loss Prevention Essence has also obtained the Hair Growth Certification from the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare. It is known that the Hair Growth Certification by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare is considered the strictest hair loss prevention certification globally and is only granted to rinse-free products with proven hair growth efficacy. During the certification process, the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare acts as a third-party to conduct rigorous efficacy certification. Only products that pass their certification are recognized as hair growth products outside the scope of pharmaceuticals.
Therefore, being able to pass such rigorous efficacycertification from the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare is a significant achievement for the Off&Relax Hair Loss Prevention Essence. This certification adds credibility to the product’s claims and confirms its effectiveness in promoting hair growth.
The Off&Relax Hair Loss Prevention Essence has gained popularity among consumers due to its scientifically researched formulation and proven results. By targeting the production of type 17 collagen, the product revitalizes hair follicles and promotes hair growth. It also focuses on preventing hair loss and retaining existing hair. The essence contains key ingredients such as Hairgrowju, concentrated kudzu root isoflavones, fermented extract of Job’s tears seeds, extract of Gentiana root, and dipotassium glycyrrhizinate. These ingredients work together to promote hair follicle regeneration, accelerate hair growth, balance the scalp’s microecosystem, reduce inflammation, and improve skin tolerance.
In an effectiveness test conducted by Off&Relax, participants experienced a significant reduction in hair loss count and an increase in hair density after using the product for 14 and 28 days. Third-party organizations such as SGS and Shanghai Fushuo Zhengtai also validated these results through their testing. The product’s ability to improve hair loss and promote hair growth has been proven scientifically.
The Hair Growth Certification from the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare further establishes the Off&Relax Hair Loss Prevention Essence as a reliable and effective solution for hair loss. This certification is highly regarded globally and is only granted to products with proven hair growth efficacy that meet the strict criteria set by the ministry. By obtaining this certification, Off&Relax demonstrates its commitment to providing high-quality hair loss prevention products.
In conclusion, the Off&Relax Hair Loss Prevention Essence, launched based on extensive research on type 17 collagen and its effects on hair loss, has gained recognition for its ability to promote hair growth, prevent hair loss, and retain existing hair. With its Hair Growth Certification from the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare, it has solidified its position as a trustworthy solution for individuals seeking to address their hair loss concerns.
