Cosmetics maker Shiseido Co. said Friday it will debut a hair tonic containing hop extract to prevent graying.
The beer ingredient was found to stimulate the activity of melanocytes, cells that create melanin pigment, Shiseido said, claiming the first-ever confirmation of such an effect as a result of a joint study with Kirin Brewery Co.
Going gray is caused by a lack of melanin pigment, and the application of the extract is expected to prevent it, the company said.
The hair tonic will be released later this year.
Pharmaceutical law bans Shiseido from making any claims on the antigraying effect of the product, as the company has not confirmed it through clinical tests.