It’s All in Your Head: Hair & Scalp News

The New York Chapter of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists is holding a traditional monthly meeting tomorrow, January 15, at the Pines Manor in Edison, NJ. The first presentation begins at 4:30pm, followed by dinner and a second speaker at 6:30pm—just like the good old days at the Robin Hood Inn!

To register, visit www.nyscc.org. Questions? Contact John Carola, [email protected] or 973-879-7019.

Here's a look at who is presenting:

4:30pm—Nava Dayan, Ph.D.
Dr. Nava Dayan is an independent consultant with 24 years of experience in variety of aspects of skin care; offering a wide range of services for the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and personal care industries as well as research entities, regulatory agencies, and academic institutions.  Her primary service focus is on innovation, bridging technology to industry, identifying paths in product development, efficacy claims, safety assessment, skin absorption, increased efficacy, and strategies to attenuate adverse effects.    Nava's area of expertise spans skin aging, skin inflammatory disorders, delivery systems for enlargement of therapeutic index, natural ingredients and formulations, skin's innate immunity and barrier integrity, biochemical paths analysis, and skin research of toxicological endpoints and their assessment.   Dr. Dayan holds a Bachelor's degree in Pharmaceutics, Master's degree in Pharmaceutics and Pharmacology, and a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutics.  All degrees were obtained from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem.

Abstract: The scalp in unique among other skin areas with relatively high follicular density and an elevated rate of sebum secretion.  The protected dark and warm environment on the scalp surface provides a welcoming ground for population of microorganisms that may be different from that present in other anatomical regions. Scalp skin is one of the thickest skin areas of the body, and carries supplementary blood circulation. In addition, it is heavily populated with sebaceous glands, which produce sebum that protects hair.  Naturally, scalp associated disorders involve imbalances of follicular secretions and factors related to innate immunity such as pH, biota, and inflammation. Lipophilic yeast Malassezia is widely accepted to play a role in scalp disorders. However, since many of the scalp microorganisms are not culturable using current culture techniques it is difficult to elucidate the role of other biota in scalp health. Genomic and proteomic techniques able to identify biota and its secretions can give rise to better understanding of disorders and pave paths for innovation in prevention and treatment. In this presentation we will compare biochemical differences between scalp skin and other skin areas, follicular density and secretion, typical biota, and innovative genomic and proteomic testing opportunities. 


6:30pm—Miri Seiberg, Ph.D.
Miri Seilberg is a life science R&D expert with a track record of research innovation.  She has initiated and managed research and development programs in the fields of skin and mucosal tissue biology, resulting in novel drug candidates and successful consumer products (Aveeno, Neutrogena, etc.).  Miri is involved in R&D projects of active ingredients, botanical extracts, skin health and aging, dermatology, skin cancer, wound healing, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, supporting the development of drugs, devices, and consumer products.

Miri received her B.Sc. from Tel Aviv University, Israel, and her M.Sc. and Ph.D. from the Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel in collaboration with Princeton University.  She authored more than 60 peer-reviewed publications, reviews, and book chapters, and has more than 80 patents.  Miri spent 20 years at the Johnson & Johnson Skill Research Center, where she received numerous awards, including the Johnson Medal, the most prestigious award given for research and development at J&J.  

Abstract:  Human hair has no significant biological role, and is kept (or removed) for social and cosmetic reasons only.  Hair graying is undesired by many societies, as it signals the process of aging and contradicts a cultural wish to look younger.  Gray, white, or “salt and pepper” hair fibers result from the partial or complete loss of pigment from the hair shaft.  Numerous mechanisms have been suggested to explain this loss, and various strategies have been developed to mask, inhibit, or reverse hair graying.  There is no scientific evidence that any nutritional supplement, herbal remedy, product, or diet could reverse, stop, or slow hair graying.  However a reversal of the graying process, while rare, is possible, resulting from side effects of certain medications.  Studies are ongoing to better understand the hair graying process and to identify possible therapies.  


Costs:
Pre-registered SCC Members: $35 • Pre-registered non-SCC members: $75 • Register SCC member at the Door: $70 • Non-member at the door: $110 • Students: $10 ($50 at the door) • Emeritus: Free ($40 at the door).