Think of your scalp as an extension of your facial skin—in fact, the scalp is the second most sensitive area on your head, after the eye contour area. It's the vital "soil" from which your hair grows, home to more than 100,000 follicles and a rich supply of nerves and blood vessels. Today, with the rising quality of life, people place a greater emphasis on skin care (also including scalp care). Since the scalp and hair significantly influence facial and overall aesthetics, the interest in scalp wellness is surging. Consequently, finding effective ways to assess scalp health has become a pressing need.
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Is Your Scalp Healthy? – Scalp Health Evaluation Methods (Part II)
Indicators for Scalp Health Evaluation
Guided by the Expert Consensus on Scalp Health Management [1], CIRS Testing evaluates the scalp health across five parameters, including:
- Dandruff;
- Sebum levels;
- Itchiness;
- Erythema/papules/pustules; and
- The overall hair status.
Figure 1: Indicators for Scalp Health Evaluation
In this article, we will introduce the evaluation methods for dandruff, sebum levels, and itchiness.
I. Evaluation Methods for Dandruff
Dandruff becomes visible when aggregates of shed stratum corneum cells exceed 0.2mm in diameter; while smaller clusters cannot be seen by the naked eye.
The primary causes of dandruff are as follows:
Infection or Disease-Related Scalp Inflammation [1]: Including pityriasis simplex capitis, seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, tinea capitis, and atopic dermatitis.
Impaired Skin Barrier Function [2]: Damage to the scalp's natural barrier disrupts scalp hydration, which can also lead to dandruff.
Imbalance in Scalp Microbiome [3]: Dandruff is associated with an imbalance in scalp microbiome, with a decrease in Cutibacterium acnes and an overgrowth in Malassezia restricta and Staphylococcus.
The evaluation methods cover:
1. Trichoscope (with visualized images)
Figure 2: Dandruff levels 48 hours after shampooing
2. Intelligent Scalp Analyzer (with visualized images)
Figure 3: Dandruff images at the hair root 48 hours after shampooing
3. Collecting dandruff flakes to measure the quantity, area percentage, and particle size distribution (quantitative analysis and visualized images can be provided).
Figure 4: Shed dandruff images 48 hours after shampooing
4. Use the DermaLab Combo, Tewameter TM Nano, and Skin-pH-Meter PH905 to quantitatively analyze the scalp hydration, TEWL and the PH value.
Figure 5: Scalp Barrier Function Analyzer
5. Scalp Microbiome Analysis
Figure 6: Scalp Microbiome Composition
II. Evaluation Methods for Scalp Sebum Level
Abnormal scalp sebum is classified into seborrhea and sebum deficiency. Seborrhea manifests as an oily, greasy scalp and hair with increased scaling. In contrast, sebum deficiency presents with a dry scalp and hair.
The evaluation methods cover:
1. Use Meibometer MB 560 to analyze the scalp sebum (quantitative analysis results can be provided)
Figure 7: Scalp Sebum Measurement
2. Intelligent Scalp Analyzer (with visualized images)
Figure 8: Scalp Sebum Distribution
III. Evaluation Methods for Scalp Itchiness
Scalp itching arises from a combination of pathophysiological mechanisms and imbalances in the scalp microbiome.
Pathophysiological mechanisms include:
Cutaneous: This type of itch is triggered by direct skin issues, including inflammation, dryness, or damage. These problems initiate a cascade of chemical mediators (e.g., histamine, proteases, Substance P), which activate local nerve endings. The resulting electrical signal then journeys to the brain, where it is perceived as the sensation of itchiness.
Neuropathic: This type of itch stems directly from damage or disease affecting the sensory nerve pathways.
Neurogenic: This type of itch is generated within the central nervous system, despite no evidence of actual nerve damage.
Psychogenic: This type of itch is primarily associated with psychological factors, including chronic stress or other psychiatric disorders.
Scalp Microbiome Dysbiosis: An overgrowth of the Malassezia yeast is strongly linked to itchiness.
The evaluation methods cover:
1. 3S (Sensitive Scalp Score) Questionnaire [5]
Figure 9: Sensitive Scalp Score Questionnaire
The 3S questionnaire serves as a preliminary screening tool to help identify potential scalp sensitivity. However, it should be filled in under the guidance of a professional to avoid inaccuracies resulting from participant misinterpretation.
2. After collecting a sample with D-Squame tape, histamine content is determined using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) or Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) (Quantitative analytical results can be provided).
Figure 10: Scalp Histamine Content
3. Scalp Microbiome Measurement
Why Choose Us?
Extensive Participant Database: We have an extensive participant database that spans multiple cities across China, assembling a diverse group of participants with varied consumer needs. This ensures CIRS Testing meets the broad requirements of different brands in market research, thereby providing comprehensive and authentic consumer feedback for product efficacy evaluation.
Perfect Laboratory Construction: We possess a full set of professional testing equipment, including dermatoscopes, needle-type moisture test probes, ultra-small transepidermal water loss test probes, and scalp sebum meters. By integrating the expert assessments from dermatologists with various technical approaches, we offer extensive efficacy evaluation services for hair care products.
Whole Industry Chain Services: We provide one-stop services covering the whole life-cycle of a personal care product, which includes cosmetic ingredient development, physical/chemical tests, toxicological tests (in vivo & in vitro), efficacy studies (in vivo & in vitro), ingredient registration, and product registration.
Our team
CIRS Testing Cosmetic Laboratory has been accredited by the China National Accreditation Service for Conformity Assessment (CNAS) and China Metrology Accreditation (CMA). It is also accredited by the National Medical Products Administration.
With complete equipment and excellent technical competence, CIRS Testing Cosmetic Laboratory received recognition for its testing capabilities both domestically and abroad. The Cosmetic Laboratory has created many patents and has maintained close cooperation and in-depth communication with many national laboratories.
CIRS Testing Cosmetic Team is comprised of a marketing team, customer service team, regulatory compliance team as well as the laboratory, with a total of more than 60 staff. The team keeps on enhancing technical skills and improving its cosmetic service system. It is able to provide a one-stop service to clients, including cosmetic regulations consulting, registration/filing, safety efficacy evaluation, and testing.
If you have any needs or questions, please contact us at kexinbio@cirs-group.com.
References
[1] 李春英, 肖嶸, 劉瑋, 等. 頭皮健康管理專家共識[J]. 中華皮膚科雜志, 2022, 55(10): 843-849.
[2] 吳文育, 林盡染, 楊蓉婭. 中國頭皮抗衰專家共識[J]. 實用皮膚病學雜志, 2020, 13(6): 321-325.
[3] Saxena R, Mittal P, Clavaud C, et al. Comparison of Healthy and Dandruff Scalp Microbiome Reveals the Role of Commensals in Scalp Health[J]. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, 2018, 8: 1-15.
[4] Xu Z, Wang Z, Yuan C, et al. Dandruff is associated with the conjoined interactions between host and microorganisms[J]. Scientific Reports. 2016, 6: 1-9.
[5] Misery L, Rahhali N, Ambonati M, et al. Evaluation of sensitive scalp severity and symptomatology by using a new score[J]. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology & Venereology, 2011, 25(11): 1295-1298.[6] Szepietowski J, Kerr K, Schwartz J, et al. Scalp Stratum Corneum Histamine Levels: Novel Sampling Method Reveals Association with Itch Resolution in Dandruff/Seborrhoeic Dermatitis Treatment[J]. Acta Derm Venereol, 2011, 91(4): 404-408.
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