Dexpanthenol could be of use in treating hair loss. Or at least in treating the inflammation, itching and scalp discomfort often associated with androgenetic alopecia.
Reader “James” posted an interesting link today. South Korea based Hyundai Pharm just released Dexpanthenol based over-the-counter (OTC) tablets to treat hair loss. The brand name is Dexnoxyl.
Hyundai Pharm claims that this is the first ever OTC hair loss treatment in South Korea. Each of the 120 tablets contains 100 milligrams of the key active ingredient Dexpanthenol (also called Panthenol).
Does Dexpanthenol work for Hair Loss?
Today is the first time that I ever heard of Dexpanthenol. However, it is “the alcohol analog” of pantothenic acid (vitamin B5). And Vitamin B5 is used in some hair loss shampoos. Another South Korean company sells a Dexpanthenol containing shampoo called TS Shampoo. Reviews are not bad at 4.2/5 starts.
And yet another Korean company sells a salicylic acid and Dexpanthenol containing product. The key ingredient in these shampoos supposedly helps dissolve excess secretion from the sebaceous glands (aka sebum). The latter is a key reason for problems such as dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis.
Interestingly, in 2020, a Turkish author wrote two papers in favor of Dexpanthenol being able to treat pattern hair loss:
- Dexpanthenol may be a novel treatment for male androgenetic alopecia (May 2020).
- Systemic Dexpanthenol as a novel treatment for female pattern hair loss (September 2020).
A related clinical trial started in Iran in 2019. Edit: Results can be found here and they are positive. However, as one of the readers pointed out, we need before and after photos.
I would be very surprised if this new tablet product from Hyundai Pharm can regrow hair in totally bald areas of the scalp. However, I would not be surprised it it really does improve scalp health and reduces inflammation. Thereby possibly preventing more rapid progression in hair loss.
Note that Panthenol is widely used in various cosmetics and personal-care products. It helps with moisturization and can stimulate collagen regeneration. Panthenol promotes the acetylation of choline to acetylcholine
Eye drops and nasal sprays also often contain Panthenol to combat dryness. Reported side effects are minimal and generally limited to skin irritation and inflammation.