ShanghaiApril 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — At the recently held ICIC 2026 International Cosmetic Innovation Conference, Director Tan Yimei of the Skin and Cosmetics Research Laboratory at Shanghai Dermatology Hospital was invited to deliver a keynote speech titled “The Mechanism of Action and Research Progress of Adenosine in Preventing Hair Loss” at the “Multi-scale Scientific Care and Innovation Forum for Scalp Skin and Hair.” The report systematically outlined the mechanism of action of adenosine in preventing hair loss and highlighted the clinical research results of topical adenosine-containing products based on Chinese populations with hair loss, garnering widespread attention from attending dermatology experts and industry scholars.
Director Tan Yimei of the Skin and Cosmetics Research Laboratory at Shanghai Dermatology Hospital delivers a keynote speech at the ICIC International Cosmetic Innovation Conference
As a company deeply committed to scalp health and hair science research, Bayer continuously supports scientific exploration through evidence-based medicine. In this presentation, the related research utilized Bayer Kangwang Anti-Hair Loss Essence as a 0.75% topical adenosine essence in a randomized controlled study, providing new clinical evidence for the application of adenosine in Chinese populations.
A New Approach to Hair Loss Intervention: Adenosine’s Multi-Pathway Action Aids Hair Growth
With changes in lifestyle and environmental factors, hair loss has become a significant skin health concern, with androgenetic alopecia (AGA) being the most common. While existing drug treatments offer certain efficacy, challenges remain for some individuals regarding tolerance, safety, and long-term adherence.
Director Tan Yimei stated that in this context, finding topical intervention solutions supported by evidence-based medicine and with good tolerability has become an important direction in hair loss prevention research.
Adenosine, an endogenous nucleoside in the human body, participates in signal regulation across multiple systems. In recent years, a growing body of basic and clinical research suggests that adenosine may regulate the hair follicle growth cycle by modulating various growth factors and signaling pathways, demonstrating potential value in hair loss intervention.
In her report, Director Tan Yimei systematically introduced research progress on adenosine at the hair follicle level. Existing studies indicate that adenosine can upregulate key factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), fibroblast growth factors (e.g., FGF-7), insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), and angiopoietin through multiple signaling pathways mediated by adenosine receptors, promoting dermal papilla cell proliferation and improving the hair follicle microenvironment. Simultaneously, adenosine may also participate in maintaining the anagen phase of hair follicles through signaling pathways like Wnt/β-catenin.
This foundational research provides a biological basis for the topical application of adenosine in preventing hair loss and establishes a theoretical groundwork for further population studies.
From International Evidence-Based Research to Exploration in Chinese Populations: Adenosine Shows Positive Signals in Hair Loss Intervention
Multiple randomized controlled clinical studies have been conducted internationally on the efficacy of adenosine in preventing hair loss, covering both male and female populations with androgenetic alopecia. Previous research indicates that topical adenosine-containing formulations show positive trends in improving hair density, hair diameter, and overall hair condition. In some studies, after several months of continuous use of a 0.75% topical adenosine preparation, subjects showed better proportions of thick hair and overall improvement assessments compared to the control group, along with good tolerability.
Director Tan shares research on the efficacy and safety of topical adenosine (anti-hair loss essence) for hair loss prevention in Chinese populations
Building on international evidence-based research, a recent randomized, double-blind, controlled study on Chinese populations with hair loss, using Bayer Kangwang Anti-Hair Loss Essence as a 0.75% topical adenosine essence, further provides scientific supplementation for the local application of adenosine. The study results showed that after 12 weeks of continuous use, compared to the base essence without adenosine, the adenosine group demonstrated statistically significant improving trends in multiple hair indicators:
- Significant increase in local hair density, while no significant change was observed in the control group;
- Increase in terminal hair count and hair diameter, suggesting improved hair quality;
- Regarding scalp health indicators, the study observed a decrease in scalp sebum levels and more stable stratum corneum hydration;
- No adverse events were reported, indicating good tolerability.
Director Tan Yimei stated that these results suggest topical adenosine not only improves hair quantity and quality but also helps create a scalp environment more conducive to hair growth, offering a scientific option worthy of further attention for Chinese populations with hair loss.
Bayer remains committed to a science-based approach, supporting the development of skin health and hair research through collaboration with clinical and scientific experts, continuously accumulating real-world and clinical research data, and advancing the scientific understanding of scalp care from research to practical application. In the future, Bayer will continue to collaborate with the medical and scientific communities to explore more scientifically grounded solutions that meet the needs of Chinese consumers regarding scalp and hair health, supporting long-term health management for the public.