Niacinamide, also known as nicotinamide or vitamin B3, is a gentle active ingredient and a growing favourite in skincare rituals because of its ability to limit cell oxidation and soothe inflammation. What’s a lesser known fact is that niacinamide can help calm and fortify a sensitive scalp too! This is why it is found in hair restoration products in Singapore.
Let’s find out more about this ingredient. But first let’s learn about the signs of a sensitive scalp.
Signs of a sensitive scalp
All scalps have a certain degree of sensitivity, especially with their numerous nerve endings and sensory receptors. However, a very sensitive scalp can be uncomfortable and come with various symptoms that can greatly affect one’s quality of life. Common signs of a sensitive scalp that may require treatment include:
- Itching
- Shedding hair
- Flakiness
- Inflammation
- Soreness or tenderness
- Dryness
- Pain or discomfort
- Sun sensitivity
As mentioned earlier, niacinamide can be a great hair care addition to help alleviate scalp sensitivity. How does niacinamide help with your sensitive scalp? Read on to find out!
Reduces inflammation
Certain molecules in the body are responsible for promoting inflammation, such as cytokines and chemokines. Niacinamide works to reduce the production of these molecules, which, in turn, reduces inflammation. Other inflammation-inhibiting properties of niacinamide include:
- Reduced histamine release
- Protection against UV-induced inflammation
- Skin barrier repair
- Moisturising
- Antioxidants
Strengthens skin barrier
Niacinamide can fortify and strengthen the skin barrier of the scalp, maintaining proper hydration and lipid balance. It encourages the production of:
- Ceramides
- Fatty acids
- Proteins
- Antioxidants
These are integral to the formation of the skin barrier in your scalp and stimulating DNA repair within the cells. With a stronger skin barrier, your scalp can better retain moisture and protect itself from potential environmental irritants.
Relieves itchiness
Niacinamide’s ability to help the skin retain moisture, combined with its anti-inflammatory properties, makes it great for calming the scalp and relieving itchiness.
A strengthened skin barrier also reduces your chances of getting triggered by external factors that could cause itching and discomfort.
Regulates oil production
Although the oil (sebum) naturally produced by our sebaceous glands help protect and moisturise the scalp, gland overactivity can lead to an oily scalp, which can cause pore blockages, infections and hair loss.
Niacinamide can help regulate the amount of oil our sebaceous glands produce, which helps with oily hair management.
Antioxidant protection
Niacinamide acts as an antioxidant, which means it has the ability to limit cell oxidation in the body by neutralising free radicals in the skin. Free radicals are unstable and highly reactive molecules that can cause cell damage and ageing.
By reducing cellular oxidation and counteracting the harmful effects of free radicals, niacinamide protects the skin from oxidative damage. Not only does this confer anti-ageing benefits, it also protects the structures of the skin on a cellular level.
Reduces hair fall
Niacinamide can help improve hair density and thickness, nourishing the hair follicles and preventing breakage. It also encourages blood circulation to the hair follicles, ensuring nutrients and oxygen reach the follicles, which, in turn, leads to a healthier scalp and stronger hair. Its ability to balance sebum production also helps reduce hair fall.
Sometimes, niacinamide is used with minoxidil in anti-hair loss shampoos, a well-known hair loss treatment, to help mitigate hair loss and assist in hair restoration.
Tolerance for other products
With a stronger skin barrier, you also increase your skin’s tolerance for other skincare ingredients and lower your risk of irritation. In fact, studies have shown that niacinamide can help increase the skin’s resistance to harsher topical substances. For example, niacinamide can help calm irritation caused by strong exfoliants, such as retinol and glycolic acid.
For those with a sensitive scalp, incorporating niacinamide to your hair care regime can help create a supportive and balanced environment for your hair to grow and scalp to flourish. As niacinamide can complement many other active ingredients, it can be used synergistically with other ingredients without causing any further irritation.
Sensitive scalp shampoo in Singapore
Hopefully this guide has helped shed some light on the versatile ingredient, niacinamide, and how it can help with your sensitive scalp.
If you’re looking for a product that incorporates niacinamide you can consider TrichoLab’s Sensitive Scalp Shampoo. It is a specially formulated hair wash that cleanses and soothes the scalp. Fortified with ingredients like Niacinamide and Vitamin B5, this shampoo reinforces the skin’s natural barrier and locks in moisture, reducing inflammation and keeping your scalp hydrated.
If you’d like a consultation to gauge the health of your scalp and explore other treatments, contact us today.
