Postbiotics: The Future of Scalp and Hair Care

The terms prebiotics and probiotics are becoming increasingly familiar due to their relevance to intestinal health , and their application to skin is gaining ground in dermatology and cosmetics. However, new players are emerging strongly in this field: postbiotics. These compounds, defined as preparations of inactive microorganisms and/or their components that provide a health benefit to the host, are gaining prominence both in the intestinal environment and in skin and scalp care, thanks to their ability to modulate the microbiome and strengthen barrier function.

In this article, we explain what postbiotics are, why they're essential for your hair health, and how you can integrate them into your hair care routine.

What are Postbiotics?

To understand what postbiotics are, let's first review the key concepts:

• Prebiotic: Compounds that act as food for beneficial bacteria, promoting a healthy balance of the microbiota.
• Probiotics : Live microorganisms that help balance the microbiota. Among the most commonly used for skin are bacteria from the genera Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria.
• Postbiotic : These belong to the biotic family, like the previous ones. According to the International Scientific Association of Probiotics and Prebiotics, they are "a preparation of inanimate microorganisms and/or their cellular components that confer a health benefit to the host ." That is, they are byproducts or metabolites produced during bacterial fermentation processes.

In this category of Postbiotics, we can include a variety of compounds such as:

• Short-chain fatty acids .
• Cell lysates such as Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, functional proteins, extracellular polysaccharides...
• Fragments of microbial cells .

These ingredients have a unique advantage over prebiotics and postbiotics : they do not need to remain alive to provide their benefits.

Postbiotics in cosmetics

As scientific cosmetics deepens its understanding of the skin microbiota and its impact on skin and hair health, the incorporation of postbiotics into formulations represents a decisive step towards comprehensive scalp care .

Today, mycobiotics are emerging as a key therapeutic target for shaping the immune system and reducing inflammation , key aspects in various dermatological disorders. The latest research supports the use of bacterial bioactives such as probiotics and postbiotics as natural and effective alternatives.

These strategies can be applied both orally, acting through the gut-skin axis, and topically, directly affecting the skin microbiome. This innovation is fully aligned with Modesta Cassinello's philosophy: modern, personalized, effective, and evidence-based cosmetics.

Postbiotics on the scalp act at the cellular level, promoting skin renewal and strengthening, improving barrier function, and balancing the microbiome.

The scalp: The foundation of healthy hair

The scalp is not only the "root" of hair, but also its functional origin. It contains more hair follicles than any other part of the body and is home to 25% of the total skin microbiota.

It is probably the skin in the body that is subjected to the most stress and, until recently, the least cared for.

When this microbiota becomes unbalanced , whether due to excessive cleaning, stress, pollutants or hormonal changes, the following may appear:

• Excessive fat .
• Flaking .
  
• Itching .
  
• Irritation .
  
• Hair loss .

Why should you use postbiotics in your hair care routine?

The scalp microbiota, like the gut microbiota, is unique to each person. This means that the way in which prebiotics or probiotics The way they act on it can vary, it depends on the microbial balance of each person.

This is where postbiotics make the difference: by applying them directly to the scalp, you incorporate active ingredients such as peptides, enzymes, and organic acids , which exert a beneficial effect regardless of the state or composition of the user's microbiota.

Their action is direct and effective on the skin barrier , improving hydration, controlling inflammation, and balancing the microbial ecosystem. This makes postbiotics highly effective and consistent active ingredients in cosmetic formulas , even those that require rinsing, such as shampoos or conditioners, positioning them as part of the future of scalp and hair care.

ProRenew Complex CLR™ the postbiotic that balances and strengthens

A more resistant scalp is less sensitive, which is why at Modesta Cassinello we have incorporated into our cosmetics a postbiotic ingredient derived from Lactococcus lactis , a probiotic that is not used in its live form, but through its active compounds.

What benefits does it offer to the scalp?

• Strengthens the barrier function , reducing hydration loss and sensitivity.
• Improves hydration and reduces flaking .
• Regulates sebum production .
• Promotes a balanced microbiota .

Does hair benefit from postbiotics?

Although postbiotics do not act directly on the hair fiber, their effect on the scalp translates into concrete and visible benefits for the hair .

By balancing the scalp microbiota:

• Improves microcirculation, promoting the supply of oxygen and nutrients to hair follicles.
• They regulate sebum production , preventing imbalances such as oily roots and dry ends.
• They reduce inflammation , helping to preserve the hair growth cycle.
• Optimizes the hydration of the follicle environment , which promotes stronger growth.
  

A balanced scalp is the foundation for soft, shiny, manageable, and strong hair.

H04 Conditioner: Your daily postbiotic ally

To easily integrate the benefits of postbiotics into your routine, we have reformulated Modesta Cassinello's H04 Conditioner, which can also be applied to the scalp .

Its formula, which incorporates ProRenew Complex CLR™, as well as amino acids, phytosterols, pea protein, vegetable oils, ginseng and B vitamins such as niacinamide, panthenol and biotin, helps to:

• Balance and hydrate the scalp , reducing sensitivity.
• Visibly improve problems such as oiliness, flaking or itching .
• Achieve a more uniform, soft and shiny hair fiber .
• Strengthen hair from the roots.
  

Conclusion

Postbiotics represent a new era in advanced scalp and hair care .

Their ability to balance the microbiota, strengthen the skin barrier, and optimize the hair environment makes them essential allies for a soft, strong, and healthy scalp and hair.

The H04 Conditioner is an advanced conditioner, it not only conditions, it transforms from the roots providing uniformity to the hair.

Because beautiful hair starts with a balanced scalp .

Each product is backed by the expertise of Dr. Modesta , a pharmacist and founder committed to excellence in hair care.