History of the Pantenolo, the ingredient that regenerates your hair after the summer (but not only)

Today talking about Pantenolo is no longer just a laboratory chemists. Compared to the past, in fact, it has become absolutely normal to know the names of the ingredients of cosmetics. There is much more awareness and some brands have decided to guide communication by leveraging precisely on the active ingredients. Pantenewhich turns 80 this year, had already thought about it in the 1940s when he discovered the benefits for the hair of the panthenolthe iconic ingredient of the brand that has become a Gold Standard in the world Haarer over time to renovate the capillary fiber of damaged hair.

The history of the Pantenolo (pro-Vitamine B5)

It all began in the 1940s at Hoffmann-Labrhe, a quiet intensive care unit in Switzerland. The doctors were testing a new compound to help patients with serious skin trauma and noticed that thanks to the Pantenolo, also known as Pro-vitamine B5, The haired skin hair were not only regrowing normally, but were stronger, thicker, more shiny. This accidental discovery gave birth to what was considered a revolutionary idea at the time: Hair care did not only concern aesthetics, but also health, healing and science. Hoffman-la Roche therefore decided to create the first Luxury hair tonic which was initially sold in the perfumery department of the department stores.

In 1960, Dr. Electman was taken by Hoffmann-La Rochenel to bring the formula of pro-Vitamine B5 (which would then become the pro-v compound) at the next level. The result? A line of products that was previously reserved for the European nobility became a must-haves worldwide within everyone’s reach. Over time, Pantene began studying capillary science by publishing numerous scientific studies that went hand in hand not only with the increase in damaged hair due to chemical treatments such as bleaching and permanent, but also to new opportunities to take care of hair with the same dedication reserved for the skin. The Pro-V complex, made up of Pantenol, lipids and antioxidants in fact penetrates inside the stem to strengthen it from the inside, improving the shine and softness of the fiber.

“Pro-Vitamine B5 is present in all our lines, and it is through the combination of the Pantenol with the lipids and antioxidants that the entire provitaminic complex manages to penetrate the hair and strengthen it without weighing it down”, explains Helene Graffner, Senior Director, P&G Beauty Communications. «We invest a lot in scientific research and in the quality of the ingredients and we like that luxury can be accessible to everyone. Our mission is to give people the tools to have the most beautiful hair and this is intimately intertwined with safety in themselves, the empowerment and self -expression. Sonop hair has always been a strong identity element ».

How the Pantenol acts on the hair

We asked him to Jeni Thomas, Pantene’s Principle Scientist. «We discovered that the proteins present inside the hair break down and, in doing so, the hair becomes much weaker. Pro-Vitamine B acts on these damaged proteins and manages to reconstruct their strength by creating new ties. Pantene science aims to improve the understanding of hair at the molecular level more and more, this allows us to be more precise and to be able to trace exactly where an ingredient works inside the fiber. In addition, it allows us not only to have a high potential ingredient, but to be able to free that potential and really make it work for the hair ».

The scientific evolution of the ingredient capable of repairing damaged hair

Thanks to the research and new acquired knowledge that have made it possible to study the damage to the atomic level, Pantenolo is therefore not a static ingredient, but its application has evolved over time. «While we better understand the hair and their needs today, we study what to do with the pro-vitamine complex to bring the deep repair they need. Hair is alive like the skin and there is still a lot to study and understand. Today we know a lot about their composition, both at the level of the cuticle, but also at the protein, lipid level, up to the molecular composition that tells us, for example, as the effects of UV rays act on some keratin proteins. This allows us to be more precise in the treatments “, Jeni Thomas, Principle Scientist Pantene tells. “Innovation is enclosed in this principle: to be as precise as possible, finding the specific molecule for that type of problem. Another aspect on which the Haarer world is focusing are the Smart products, That is, the multipurpose ones that allow you to repair or hydrate according to need, and to create personalized routines ».

Pantenolo, the anti-aging of the hair

If the signs that determine aging on the skin are well codified – from wrinkles to skin laxity to loss of hydration – What are the elements that indicate a state of aging in the hair? «Over time, the texture changes and becomes less manageable and defined, the stem becomes more subtle, the hair lose the colorful pigment becoming gray. When the pigment is not there, they also become more vulnerable to external aggressions. Therefore, antioxidants become particularly important and are also functional against damage caused by UV rays. To counteract hair aging, the combination of the pro-vitamine complex enriched with antioxidants and filler lipids is a synergy that proves to be effective. Furthermore, since the hair generally has less pigment, hydration becomes even more important because they do not produce very sebum from the scalp and can be drier. But it is not just a matter of moisturizing the hair, it is making sure that they maintain that hydration. That’s why the care of the composition of the capillary fiber and the maintenance of the protein structure are a health index regardless of age. The hair can be strong and full -bodied in all phases of life, just adapt the haircare routine according to the needs », Dr. Thomas concludes.

The story of Pantene, born as a luxury brand and then became democratic, shows that the price is not always directly proportional to quality. If in general the whole level of the Mass Market category has evolved compared to the past, it is certain that choosing products with affordable prices does not necessarily mean giving up having performing formulas. And how is this winning binomial possible? «Our formulas are tested independently by the Swiss Vitamin Institute which certifies the quality of the vitamins present within the products. We are a multinational and we can count on large numbers to ensure that our products are created in the most efficient way possible for both the planet and the consumer. All by offering an affordable and affordable price to remain faithful to our values ​​», states Helene Graffner. Today the real luxury concerns the science, the tests and the origin of the ingredients.