Sodium PCA and Hair Growth: Mechanism of Action

Divi’s lineup of scalp care products ensures you lock in the moisture you need for a healthy head of hair. One of the ingredients supporting this goal is sodium pyrrolidone carboxylic acid (PCA). Probably not something you know about yet, right? Well, this is where Divi can help.

Although it is mainly famous for its ability to hydrate and bring a youthful glow to your skin, sodium PCA is also a hero ingredient for your scalp and hair. It helps soften the hair cuticle, allowing the hair shaft to better absorb moisture. 

If you’re curious about how sodium PCA in Divi’s Scalp Serum, Shampoo & Conditioner can impact your hair and scalp care regime, read on.

Introduction to Sodium PCA

Sodium PCA is the sodium salt form of pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, also known as pyroglutamic acid. Sodium PCA is also commonly known as the amino acid proline, which forms the basis of all proteins.

Sodium PCA is a humectant occurring naturally in the skin. It works well as a moisturizing and skin-replenishing ingredient in various skin and hair care products. Humectants are helpful ingredients that act like sponges, preventing moisture loss and treating dry or damaged skin and hair.

Because of this ingredient’s powerful humectant properties, you’ll often find it in your shampoos, conditioners, creams and makeup.

Sodium PCA is used in Divi’s products (including Divi’s Shampoo, Conditioner and Scalp Serum) because of its hydrating properties. Sodium PCA can help make your hair more supple and smooth, reducing the chances of hair damage and controlling hair fall by hydrating the scalp.

Sodium PCA is often used in combination with hyaluronic acid (another incredible ingredient used in Divi’s Scalp Serum formula) to improve the moisture-retaining properties of the formula.

Sodium PCA in Divi’s Products – How Does It Help with Hair Growth?

The benefits of sodium PCA are many, which is why our expert staff blended it into our formulas.

Divi’s Shampoo, Conditioner and Scalp Serum all use an innovative blend to help improve the appearance of thicker, fuller hair while targeting the health of your scalp.

Increased Scalp Hydration

The sodium PCA in Divi’s products can boost the natural moisturizing factors of naturally present ingredients in the skin, such as lactic acid, amino acids, protein and sugar.

These naturally found lipids maintain the hydration and health of your scalp, which creates ideal conditions for hair to grow. More moisture in the scalp means the hair follicles are supported to sprout new, healthy hair.

Improves Hair Quality

Being naturally hygroscopic, sodium PCA attracts moisture from the surrounding air and locks it into your skin and hair.

Divi’s Shampoo & Conditioner leverage the water-trapping abilities of sodium PCA to help improve hair texture, especially on hair that has been damaged by chemical treatments.

As a great conditioning agent, it helps improve hair elasticity by locking in a lot of moisture. This means that you no longer have to worry about breakage due to dry, brittle hair.

Protects Skin Barrier

To encourage hair growth, the skin on your scalp needs to be healthy. Dandruff caused by a dry scalp and clogged pores can affect the hair growth cycle. The sodium PCA in Divi’s Scalp Serum and Shampoo can help manage these issues.

Calms Frizz

Sodium PCA can significantly reduce hair frizziness, which is usually a sign of dehydration. When your hair is too dry, static can occur, producing hard-to-manage, fly-away hair.

Certain hair also has a natural tendency to frizz due to the hair type.

The sodium PCA in our lineup of hair and scalp products helps reduce moisture loss by lubricating the hair cuticle and locking moisture into dehydrated hair.

Conditions Skin and Hair

The hydrating properties of sodium PCA mean it conditions the skin of the scalp as well as the hair – this is why it is a key ingredient in Divi’s Conditioner.

Sodium PCA has the ability to reduce hair damage as a result of heat styling or harsh environmental conditions. It also improves hair and skin elasticity. This means your hair will look and feel softer and more vibrant.

Which Conditions Can Sodium PCA Help With?

Divi’s Scalp Serum, Conditioner & Shampoo all contain sodium PCA and a host of other essential ingredients clinically shown to help promote hair growth.

Research on the mechanism of action and hydrating properties of sodium PCA shows how this ingredient can positively impact poor hair health caused by skin disorders.

• Itchy and dry scalp – Sodium PCA is a key ingredient in rebuilding the intracellular “glue” that holds the skin cells together, preventing cells from losing moisture and protecting the skin barrier function. As a skin-replenishing ingredient, sodium PCA can hydrate the deeper layers of the scalp.
• Dandruff – Sodium PCA can target build-up and break down the bond between dandruff and the scalp without causing irritation and dryness. Dandruff is caused by a fungal build-up on a scalp that is oily or has many products in it. Sodium PCA can combat this fungus by helping to maintain the health of the scalp around it.
• Hair shedding/thinning – Sodium PCA in hair care products can reduce the chances of hair damage and control hair fall. In particular, it can improve the appearance of hair damaged by chemical treatments or other environmental damage.
• Eczema – A pilot study found that using sodium PCA in combination with other barrier-protecting components effectively treats the signs and symptoms of mild-to-moderate eczema. Sodium PCA was shown to reduce 79% of eczema symptoms (inflammation, itchiness and roughness), as well as improve the overall appearance of the skin and increase hydration levels by 44%.
• Scalp inflammation – Various problems cause the scalp to become inflamed and itchy. Sodium PCA has been shown to work well on skin inflammation by protecting the delicate microflora residing in and on the body. By doing this, the bacterial community can better help control and prevent inflammation.

Sodium PCA and Hyaluronic Acid

Sodium PCA is often used in conjunction with hyaluronic acid, and both of these ingredients can be found in Divi’s products.

Both sodium PCA and hyaluronic acid have the ability to pull and absorb moisture, resulting in soft and elastic hair and scalp skin.

The reason these two ingredients are used together is sodium PCA can hold 250 times its weight in water and hyaluronic acid holds up to 1,000 times its weight in water. When combined, hair enjoys maximum moisturizing benefits.

Causes of Dry Hair

Sodium PCA absorbs and retains moisture, leaving hair soft and healthy. But what are the common causes of dry hair?

There are several factors capable of resulting in dry hair, such as the external environment, how you care for your hair, and your physical health. Although our products do not cure medical conditions, they can help combat dry hair, no matter what the cause is.

Environmental Conditions

The environment you live in can strip the moisture from your hair, leaving it dry and brittle.

Environmental conditions causing hair to dry out include living in a very hot or dry climate, spending a lot of time outdoors in sunny or windy conditions, and swimming in the sea or in chlorinated water.

Hair-Care Routine

How you take care of your hair can contribute to the dryness of your hair.

When you wash your hair too often, the natural oils needed to maintain healthy hair are stripped from your scalp, leaving your hair dry and brittle. Harsh and toxic shampoos and conditioners can also cause hair to be dry, which is why you should opt for Divi’s lineup of clean products.

If you regularly use heat styling tools, like a straightener, curler or hair dryer, you risk stripping the moisture from your hair. These tools used in conjunction with chemical styling products (like hair spray or gel) could spell disaster for your hair’s ability to retain moisture.

Dyeing or applying chemical treatments to your hair will also result in dry hair, especially if you do these procedures often.

Health Conditions

Underlying medical conditions can have a significant impact on the ability of your hair to retain moisture. Although our scientifically proven products cannot cure or eliminate these medical conditions – and we’ll never claim they can – they can support a healthy scalp and promote hair growth despite any medical issues.

An overactive or underactive thyroid (known as hyper- or hypothyroidism) can cause dry, brittle hair.

Eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa, mean the body is not getting sufficient nutrients and vitamins to ensure healthy skin and hair. A lack of proper nutrients can cause hair to become dry.

Menkes syndrome is a genetic condition preventing cells from absorbing copper. A lack of copper can affect hair and skin health, resulting in dryness.

Possible Side Effects of Sodium PCA

According to cosmetic experts and the Environmental Working Group (EWG) expert panel, sodium PCA is a safe ingredient to use in hair and skin care products. It is considered a non-sensitizing ingredient that does not irritate your skin.

In our hero scalp care products, all ingredients are measured carefully, are dermatologically tested, and have the right balance of compounds to ensure no negative effects.

Although there are no known dermal irritation or sensitization issues with the topical application of sodium PCA through our products, you should always conduct a patch test before using any new cosmetic product.

More About Sodium PCA

Here is some more information about sodium PCA and how to use this incredible humectant to maintain moisture in your hair:

• You can use sodium PCA through Divi’s lineup of products every day.
• Divi’s Scalp Serum contains both sodium PCA and hyaluronic acid in our formula for ultimate moisture retention. Sodium PCA and hyaluronic acid (or sodium hyaluronate) are both humectants with similar characteristics. 
• Sodium PCA in Divi’s products is a hydrating agent sourced from vegetable-based ingredients. It is the sodium salt version of pyroglutamic acid and contains no animal-based ingredients.

Why Choose Divi?

Divi aims to combat hair loss due to hereditary or other conditions, such as androgenetic alopecia, also commonly known as male- or female-pattern baldness.

Divi’s products are vegan and cruelty-free, meaning they have not been tested on animals. Our Scalp Serum, Shampoo & Conditioner have been approved by dermatologists and the ingredients are balanced to not cause any irritation or adverse side effects.

They have been developed to nourish, protect, and strengthen all hair types. The ingredients used by Divi are backed by scientific research, and regular use should lead to results within 90 days.

Final Thoughts

Sodium PCA is a true wonder ingredient that is proven to help maintain healthy and hydrated hair. It hydrates the scalp, protects the skin barrier, and eliminates frizz – all of which encourage a healthy hair growth cycle.

If you’re looking for a hair formula that gives you all the best ingredients for a healthier head of hair, look no further than Divi’s three highly rated products. They’re fast-absorbing, clean, residue-free and lightweight. What more could you want?