The two new products, DHT Inhibitor MD and Collagen Infusion MD, are part of the company’s MD Booster line offered exclusively to patients via physicians. The products provide “personalized solutions that can be combined with our Hair Growth Nutraceuticals to provide additional support for key root causes of hair thinning based on the physician’s assessment, empowering healthcare providers to craft highly customized regimens,” Sam Archer, VP of Product Development and Marketing at Nutrafol, told CosmeticsDesign.
Archer shared insights around the conceptualization and research processes, insights around the testing procedures for the ingredient formulations, and Nutrafol’s plans for further growth in the hair care supplement space.
CDU: Can you share some information about the conceptualization, development, and research behind the two latest product launches?
Sam Archer (SA): Nutrafol values its relationships with physicians, gathering feedback for product development and partnering to provide patients with targeted support in their hair health journeys. Over the last several years, the brand has heard from physicians their need for targeted supplements that address specific needs for their patients, leading to the development of Nutrafol's MD Boosters. Backed by Nutrafol's 7+ years of studying hair biology, MD Boosters demonstrate the brand's commitment to quality, and advancing the science of hair wellness.
Physicians have long recognized the effect of hormonal changes as a key contributor to hair thinning in their patients. They approached Nutrafol seeking precise solutions that target follicle shrinking DHT hormone for patients that are more susceptible to DHT and need added support, and that's why the brand created DHT Inhibitor MD.
By addressing the conversion of testosterone to DHT hormone, this booster offers a targeted approach to a key root cause of hair thinning, when used along with Nutrafol’s Hair Growth Nutraceuticals.
Collagen Infusion MD was developed for physicians to further support their patients who need added support to address the root cause of aging and its impact on hair health. Until recently there was little clinical evidence that collagen supplementation could impact the hair, making physicians skeptical over the category.
New studies show that collagen supplementation can reach the hair and have a positive impact, so Nutrafol created a formula that went a level deeper with ingredients like MSM, Coq10, vitamin C, Green coffee bean and a protease enzyme blend specifically to support hair health. With these insights in mind, we formulated Collagen Infusion MD to provide comprehensive solutions for stronger, more resilient hair.
CDU: Why choose the ingredients used in these product formulations?
SA: Certain patients are more susceptible to DHT hormone due to a variety of factors. DHT is converted from Testosterone and can cause the hair follicle to shrink and eventually close.
DHT Inhibitor MD is Nutrafol's most targeted DHT formula, made specifically to target the conversion of Testosterone to DHT to pair with Nutrafol Hair Growth Nutraceuticals. DHT Inhibitor MD effectively targets the 5-alpha reductase enzyme, leading to a reduction in the conversion of Testosterone to DHT.
The formula includes clinically tested ingredients such as Saw Palmetto, Stinging Nettle, Green Tea Extract, and African Plum Extract. These powerful components collaborate to provide advanced DHT targeting for precision results and pair well with Nutrafol Hair Growth Nutraceuticals.
By age 30, the body begins to break down 1% of collagen each year, losing up to 20% in the skin and scalp by age 50. Collagen Infusion MD is Nutrafol's advanced collagen powder, formulated specifically to target aging as a root cause of hair thinning.
Collagen Infusion MD replenishes collagen peptides with wild-caught Marine Collagen Peptides, boosts collagen production with vitamin C, supports absorption of nutrients with a protease enzyme blend, strengthens hair with MSM, and supports elasticity and signs of aging with CoQ10 and Green Coffee Bean. Going beyond a traditional collagen peptide powder, the dynamic formula was created specifically for hair.
CDU: Who is the target audience for these products?
SA: DHT Inhibitor MD targets hormones, specifically follicle-shrinking DHT hormones, and Collagen Infusion MD targets aging and the degradation of collagen in the scalp.
CDU: Where there any challenges to bringing these products to market? If so, what were those challenges and how were they overcome?
SA: Any time that you create products for the medical community it is important that you have the clinical evidence to support the ingredients chosen in your formulas. Nutrafol’s Research and Development Team works closely with the Clinical and Medical Affairs team to develop formulas and choose ingredients with the highest level of clinical substantiation and educate our network of physicians on new ingredients.
CDU: What is the potential impact of this product launch on manufacturers and suppliers to the cosmetics and personal care product industries?
SA: This latest launch demonstrates Nutrafol’s continued commitment to healthcare providers, listening to their feedback to develop products that meet the needs and hair health concerns of their patients. Nutrafol remains dedicated to advancing the science of hair wellness, providing healthcare professionals with innovative solutions to address various hair health needs.
CDU: Are there any plans for further innovation and development in this space?
SA: As the #1 dermatologist recommended hair growth supplement brand, Nutrafol is dedicated to continuously advancing our understanding of hair biology to provide a personalized approach to hair health for our network of physicians. As clinical research advances, Nutrafol’s internal team of biologists and chemists work with our team of physicians to optimize our product portfolio with targeted solutions that provide efficacious results for patients and our customers.
