Nuclear technology powers new hair-loss cosmetics spray

"Just spray it on your hair and hair loss is relieved."

The Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute announced July 2 that it has developed a functional cosmetics product for relieving hair-loss symptoms using Maysin, a natural material long used in skin-soothing, UV-protection and sports-care products.

The product has cleared final review by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety as a functional cosmetics product for alleviating hair-loss symptoms.

Maysin is a natural flavonoid found in trace amounts in corn silk and centipede grass. It is known for strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Because chemical synthesis is difficult, it is regarded as a high-value natural material.

Researchers at the institute's Advanced Radiation Technology Institute were the first in the world to successfully isolate and purify Maysin from centipede grass. They have since led research based on foundational patents covering natural biotech methods and extraction processes that maximize Maysin content.

The product that passed the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety review is "Maysera Revive and Restore Hair Tonic," a spray-type functional cosmetics product developed by Biomaycin — the institute's eighth spin-off company — using Maysin as its core ingredient.

Rather than widely used ingredients such as caffeine, biotin and dexpanthenol, the product uses the Maysin-based natural material developed by the institute to set itself apart. While existing products have largely focused on managing the scalp environment and improving appearance, Maysera centers on managing hair cell growth.

The product activates dermal papilla cells, which play a key role in hair growth, and helps improve the health of the scalp and hair follicles. Human application trials also confirmed clear improvement in hair density.

After 24 weeks of use, all participants in the test group reported positive results for hair-loss symptoms, crown fullness and hairline improvement. No adverse scalp reactions such as itching or stinging were reported during the trial period.

"Passing the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety's functional cosmetics review is a meaningful achievement that demonstrates both the superior technology and commercial viability of a domestically developed natural biotech material," said Choi Seok-gyu, chief executive of Biomaycin. "Building on the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute's unrivaled foundational technology, we will secure strong competitiveness not only in the premium domestic hair-care market but also in the global biohealth market."

Lim In-cheol, acting president of the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, said the achievement was "the fruit of combining the institute's foundational technology with the commercialization capabilities of its spin-off company." He added that the institute would "further invigorate the technology commercialization ecosystem so that spin-off companies can continue to grow on the strength of research outcomes."