Haircare, Salon Trends and Hair-Loss Science — 2026-09-28
This week's biggest science story is a positive topline readout for an extended-release oral minoxidil tablet (VDPHL01) in male pattern hair loss, plus a clinician-facing update confirming PP405's phase 3 plans for 2026. On the commercial side, Dyson's new Airsmooth brush is drawing first hands-on reviews, while Korean media track K-beauty brands pushing scalp-care tech into Vietnam and global markets.
Haircare, Salon Trends and Hair-Loss Science — 2026-09-28
Top developments
VDPHL01 extended-release oral minoxidil shows "robust hair growth outcomes"
Dermatology Times reports positive topline results from Part A of Study '302', a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2/3 trial of VDPHL01 — a proprietary extended-release oral minoxidil tablet — in 519 adult men with mild to moderate androgenetic alopecia. If confirmed, extended-release dosing could offer a convenient alternative to topical minoxidil, reshaping the clinical hair-loss treatment stack.
PP405 phase 3 planned for 2026
In a pipeline FAQ published this week, Dermatology Times details PP405's status: primary safety demonstrated in a 78-patient phase 2a trial with no detectable systemic absorption, exploratory density gains in a higher-severity male subgroup, and phase 3 initiation planned for 2026. Topical, systemically silent molecules remain the most-watched category for practitioners and patients alike.
Dyson Airsmooth brush reviewed — roughly half the price of the Airwrap
Dyson's newly launched Airsmooth dryer brush — the brand's first dryer brush, with four heat settings, three speeds, and dual bristle technology for wet or dry hair and pitched at about half the Airwrap's price — got its first in-depth review this week from CN Traveller, which highlights its universal-voltage design as a solution for humid-weather blowouts. A more affordable entry point from Dyson matters for salon-adjacent retail and the mid-tier styling tool market currently contested with Shark.
Korean scalp-care brand DermaMopf debuts at Vietnam K-Brand Expo
Seoul Shinmun reports that Mediac (메디아크) showcased its MOF-technology-based scalp-care brand DermaMopf (더마모프) at K-BRAND Expo 2026 in Ho Chi Minh City, centered on hair-loss-mitigation shampoo and scalp serum featuring DHT management, reactive-oxygen-species removal, and active-ingredient storage/delivery technology. This underscores K-beauty's expansion of the skinification trend into haircare export markets.
Hair care market forecast to 2035: premiumization and scalp health
IndexBox's new outlook (published today) projects the global hair care market expanding through 2035, driven by premiumization, a scalp-health focus, and e-commerce growth, with Asia-Pacific leading volume gains. This macro backdrop supports both bond-repair/premium treatment growth and continued salience of hair loss as a commercial category — Vogue separately framed hair loss this week as beauty's "next major growth category," spanning scalp serums to LED devices.
Local view
- Korea: Hankyoreh reports AI has cut cosmetic-ingredient development timelines dramatically — screening 420,000 substances for hair-loss efficacy that would normally take ~22 months now theoretically takes a day.
- Korea: Seoul Economic Daily traces how K-beauty's global wave is spreading from skincare and color cosmetics into haircare via "skinification" of scalp and body care.
- Korea: Market Economy News covers Amorepacific's push for "hair longevity" as domestic firms compete to take K-hair global with technology-led positioning.
- Japan: Allure Korea (today) spotlights ONE7's Scalp Purifying Microbiome Shampoo among 2026 award winners, reflecting ferment-science-based scalp health demand.
Context & numbers
- VDPHL01 Study '302' Part A: 519 adult men with mild-to-moderate androgenetic alopecia; randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled.
- PP405: 78-patient phase 2a; no detectable systemic absorption; phase 3 planned 2026.
- AI ingredient screening: 420,000 substances; ~22 months conventional development compressed to one day via AI.
- Hair care market projected to grow through 2035 with Asia-Pacific leading volumes.
On the radar
- PP405 phase 3 initiation is expected during 2026 — watch for enrollment announcements.
- K-beauty scalp brands' Southeast Asia expansion (e.g., DermaMopf in Vietnam) may extend to further export markets.
- Full results for VDPHL01 Study '302' beyond Part A topline are worth tracking.
- Rumor flagged as rumor: continued mid-price positioning from Dyson (Airsmooth) may pressure Shark's FlexStyler segment in holiday retail.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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