- Study identifies a mechanism affecting the strength and quality of newly grown hair… Expands the research foundation for GROW PEPTIDE^TM

Amorepacific has identified a biological mechanism involved in healthy hair formation and discovered a new peptide that supports this process. The findings were published in the September issue of the international journal Experimental Dermatology. (Paper title: "COCH Expression in the Hair Follicle Microenvironment Is Associated With Cortical Disulfide Bonding and Tensile Resistance in Aging Hair")

The study identified how the microenvironment of hair follicles, where hair grows, affects the strength and quality of newly formed hair, providing new scientific evidence on how healthy, strong hair develops.

By analyzing newly grown hair from healthy adults, the researchers found that expression of a specific gene in hair follicles, Coagulation Factor C Homology (COCH), is closely associated with disulfide bonds, a key determinant of hair strength. These bonds help maintain hair strength and elasticity, and a higher bond content is known to give hair greater tensile strength and resistance to breakage.

The study found that the group aged 50 and older had at least 21% lower disulfide bond content in their hair and at least 40% lower hair tensile strength than the group in their 20s through 40s. The researchers also confirmed a significant correlation between disulfide bond content and hair tensile strength, suggesting that the follicular environment may influence the quality of newly formed hair.

The study also advances the scientific understanding underpinning Amorepacific's ongoing research into peptide-based hair care. In collaboration with Croda, a global peptide specialist, Amorepacific has been studying scalp and hair follicle structures and developing peptide-based ingredients designed to influence key factors involved in healthy hair formation.

GROW PEPTIDE^TM is a next-generation hair care ingredient developed with a focus on the formation of healthy hair. The study deepens understanding of hair follicles and the hair formation process, supporting the direction of research into next-generation hair care solutions for healthy hair formation. The technology has been incorporated into the recently launched Root:Gen line from RYO.

"Good hair care begins with both caring for hair after it has grown and understanding how healthy hair forms," noted Byung-Fhy Suh, CTO and Head of the Amorepacific R&I Center. "At Amorepacific, we have been studying the biological mechanisms and key factors involved in hair formation and translating these findings into new ingredients, such as peptides, and incorporating them into our products." He added, "Building on research achievements including GROW PEPTIDE^TM, we will develop our Hair Longevity Solution, which helps hair stay healthy for longer, into a next-generation hair care technology."