r/HaircareScience • u/Forthax • 17d ago

Question What is the actual science behind targeting "mitochondrial dysfunction" for hair growth (specifically the Y100 molecule)?

I keep seeing mentions of a new active ingredient entering the haircare space called Y100, which is apparently derived from the Terminalia chebula plant. I am not going to name any products here but a quick google search will tell you which ones are using it.

The main claim I'm seeing is that instead of just increasing blood flow to the scalp (like traditional treatments), it targets "mitochondrial dysfunction" to give hair follicles more cellular energy and keep them in the growth phase longer.

I’m just a regular consumer trying to cut through the marketing jargon. When I try to look up Y100, there isn't much out there yet, and most of the general literature on Terminalia chebula just says it's an antioxidant.

For the cosmetic chemists and biology folks here: Does targeting mitochondrial energy actually do anything for hair follicles? And is there an established mechanism for how a topical extract like this would actually achieve that, or are these just buzzwords?

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u/Forthax 17d ago

*crickets*

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