Innovating Scalp Care: How Research and Education Drive Solutions

“I had heard from patients repetitively their frustration of using over-the-counter medications for their dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, and psoriasis, and I found that people don't have the ability to leave the medication on long enough to actually work. It got me thinking, we need something that we could leave on,” said Erica Ramos, PA-C, in an interview with Dermatology Times.

Renata Block, MMS, PA-C, a board-certified physician assistant in Chicago, Illinois, and a Dermatology Times Editorial Advisory Board member, interviewed Ramos, the CEO of Raven Innovations and founder of RestoraScalp dry shampoo. Ramos, a San Antonio-based physician assistant with 20 years of experience, including 7 in dermatology, shared her journey of pursuing a doctorate degree and developing a medicated dry shampoo product.

Ramos discussed how the COVID-19 pandemic provided a unique opportunity to advance her education. Recognizing the slowdown in patient visits, she pursued her doctorate degree, which enriched her professional development and provided critical research skills. Ramos emphasized that while the degree may not have significantly impacted her salary negotiations, it added value by enhancing her ability to analyze medical research—a component often underrepresented in PA education.

Block, who is also pursuing her doctorate, echoed Ramos's sentiments about the program’s emphasis on dissecting research and statistical analysis. Both agreed that these skills have been instrumental in their professional growth and leadership capabilities. Block inquired how Ramos's doctorate influenced the development of RestoraScalp, a medicated dry shampoo designed to treat conditions such as dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, and psoriasis.

Ramos explained that her enhanced research skills allowed her to thoroughly explore ingredients through PubMed and other medical research databases. Although she did not directly incorporate RestoraScalp into her doctoral research, the knowledge gained was pivotal in selecting effective ingredients. Ramos highlighted the common challenge patients face with existing treatments: the inability to leave medications on the scalp long enough to be effective. This insight inspired her to create a leave-in medicated product that addresses this issue.

Discussing the FDA monograph process, Ramos detailed the complexities of bringing an over-the-counter medicated product to market. The biggest challenge was the formulation stage, requiring extensive collaboration with chemists to ensure ingredient compatibility, proper particle size, product flow, and consistency. She underscored the importance of professional chemists in creating a safe and effective product beyond DIY experimentation.

Ramos also outlined the stringent regulatory requirements, such as working with FDA consultants, using FDA-inspected manufacturing facilities, and adhering to strict guidelines for Drug Facts labeling and marketing claims. Compliance extends to influencer marketing, where even brand ambassadors must follow FDA guidelines when discussing the product.

Block inquired about Ramos's plans for formal product testing. Ramos revealed that while informal testing occurred during formulation, she aspires to conduct formal clinical studies to solidify RestoraScalp’s credibility and effectiveness. She acknowledged that this next step would elevate the product's standing within the dermatological community.

Ramos expressed immense pride in launching RestoraScalp, which was driven by patient feedback and her passion for dermatology. Her product fills a gap in scalp treatment options, offering a convenient and effective solution. Both Block and Ramos encourage physician assistants to consider pursuing doctorate degrees to advance their research capabilities and professional development.

Their conversation highlighted the intersection of advanced education and innovative product development, showcasing how Ramos leveraged her doctoral training to create a meaningful solution for patients with scalp conditions. Through RestoraScalp, Ramos exemplifies how clinical insight and academic growth can drive impactful advancements in dermatology.

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