Issue link: https://www.ahpindiestylist.com/i/1547346
Explore your benefits at ahphair.com 29 THE DELIVERY PROBLEM Marketing claims oen outrun the chemistry behind formulas. Pure NAD+ is a large, unstable molecule. Asking it to cross an intact skin barrier is like asking someone to slide a shampoo bowl through a mail slot. e item is real, the opening is real, but the two simply aren't compatible. Smart product formulators can work around this by using precursors, which are smaller building blocks the skin can absorb and convert into active NAD+ once inside the cell. e three precursors you will see on labels are nicotinamide riboside (NR), nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), and niacinamide, the familiar form of vitamin B3. Niacinamide is the veteran of the group and carries the majority of human research. Because the scalp is skin, the same pathway supports barrier lipids like ceramides, protects collagen and elastin through proteins called sirtuins, and helps cells repair UV damage. A scalp with a strong barrier holds water better and stays more comfortable, which is a win in itself. WHERE THE EVIDENCE IS THIN e cellular science (in vitro) is strong, but the human clinical science (in vivo) is still thin. Most of what has been studied comes from cell cultures, animal UNSPLASH models, and trials on niacinamide rather than large studies on topical NAD+ for hair growth. ough the research is in the early stages, researchers consider it promising. at gap is exactly where science-washing lives, and a few label-reading habits may help you sort the shelf. Start by looking for a named precursor rather than the bare letters "NAD+" on the front of the bottle, then check where that ingredient sits in the list, because an active listed below fragrance and preservatives is usually present in a very small amount. When a brand promises clinically proven regrowth, treat it as a claim worth questioning: Ask which study, who the test subjects were, and for how long. A legitimate product line can answer quickly. e language itself tells you plenty too. Supporting claims about scalp health and cellular energy fit what this category can honestly deliver.