Hair Foundation Blog

In a recent Yale study, researchers have found that signals from stem cells within skin’s fatty layer may spur hair growth in mice, promoting a possible new treatment for baldness in men and women.

According to the study’s senior author Valerie Horsley, an assistant professor of molecular, cellular and developmental biology at Yale University, she noted in a recent press release, “If we can get these fat cells in the skin to talk to the dormant stem cells at the base of the hair follicles, we might be able to get hair to grow again.”

For men battling male pattern baldness, stem cells remain in their hair follicle roots; however, they lose the ability to stimulate hair growth. These stem cells need signals from within the skin for hair to grow but where to find the signals has been a mystery.

According to the Yale study, researchers discovered that after hair dies, the layer of fat in the scalp that comprises most of the skin’s thickness shrinks; however, as hair growth begins, this fat layer will expand.

In this study using mice, researchers found their hair regeneration required a type of stem cell involved in the creation of new skin fat cells and that these cells produced the molecules required to produce hair growth. Once these imperfect mice received injections of stem cells from healthy mice, hair follicles began to grow.

Previously, studies on men have with bald parts of their scalp have disclosed they have the same number of hair stem cells as hairy areas. With these injections, scientists found that an 86 percent kick start in hair growth. However, the question now is whether or not these stem cell injections can work on humans and stimulate hair growth.

Additional studies will need to take place and it could take quite some time to determine its effect on humans but this is good news for those suffering with baldness.

The report was recently disclosed in the September issue of the journal, Cell.

If you are interested in learning more about hair loss, please visit the Hair Foundation’s new physician videos. The series includes a video on hair loss.

Photo by NHS.uk

In the recent online Male Pattern Hair Loss (MPHL) Survey in Asia Pacific of 1,057 men aged between 20 and 40 from India, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan and the Philippines, Singaporeans responded as the most sensitive to their hair loss.

In the survey funded by the Hair Foundation’s corporate partner, Merck, the Singaporean men also said their self-esteem is affected by their hair loss and “seven in 10 Singaporean men think that thin hair is “not cool” and it makes them unattractive to the opposite sex.”

The survey results were released on June 8 in Singapore.

Additional results included the following:

• Singaporean men spent the most amount of money on haircare among the men surveyed from the five territories: an average of $310.90 per month on hair-loss treatments including Propecia and Minoxidil and haircare products such as medicated shampoo. This compared to the men in other regions, who spent spent between $43.60 and $297.70 per month.
• Indian men spent the greatest amount of time on haircare per day. They spent an average of 23.5 minutes; Malaysian men followed with an average of 20.9 minutes. And Singaporean men? They came in third with an average of 20.6 minutes.
• Only one in five Singaporean men has consulted a doctor for his hair-loss condition. The remaining men rely on over-the-counter remedies or haircare services.
• Key barriers to seeking medical advice is embarrassment, the cost and uncertainty about finding the right doctor.

Are you interested in learning more about men and hair loss? Check out the Hair Foundation’s new physician video on this topic.

With Father’s Day just two weeks ago, it’s time to start thinking about a gift for Dad. In this post from Bosley’s Battle Against Bald (Hair Foundation’s Vice Chair Ken Washenik is Bosley’s Medical Director), they present some interesting ideas for the dad with hair challenges and a sense of humor.

Famous bald father, David Beckham - photo by menwomenhairstyles.com

• 4HeadWear Hats– These hats are specially designed with the needs of balding men in mind, such as advanced moisture wicking and UV protection.
• Give your dad a full head of spikey hair, anytime he wants it with Flair Hair visors.
• It’s not only Father’s Day, it’s BBQ Season. If your dad likes grilling up tasty food for the family, the “A Few Great Heads” BBQ apron is a must-have.
• Help your dad bring awareness to the plight of the balding man with this “Struggling Hair Farmer” t-shirt.
• Mix a little attitude in with that caffeine. Get your dad a “With a Body Like Mine Who Needs Hair?” Coffee Mug.

This week, the Hair Foundation launched its new nine-part physician video series on its website. These videos include the Hair Foundation’s esteemed Board of physicians, Dr. Matt Leavitt, Dr. E. Antonio Mangubat, Dr. Dow Stough and Dr. Ken Washenik, as narrators along with the inclusion of the Hair Foundation’s partners’ products as visuals.

The videos range in two to four-minute lengths and viewers will find that the doctors offer advice, discuss topics, and describe patient stories through real-world examples and visuals.

Check out the videos on the Hair Foundations site:
Video: Types of Hair Loss
Video: Understanding & Living With Hair Loss
Video: Men and Hair Loss
Video: Women and Hair Lossn
Video: Children and Hair Loss
Video: Hair Loss and Self Esteem
Video: Hair Loss Diagnosis and Medical Treatments
Video: Hair Care and Maintenance
Video: Hair Disease and Treatments

Lexington International, LLC recently announced that it successfully completed two clinical studies of its HairMax LaserComb and its results  proved the efficacy and safety of three new devices for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia (hereditary hair loss).

Their studies showed that 95 percent of participants using the HairMax LaserComb experienced hair growth and that average increases in hair count for participants in the HairMax LaserComb group was 20.4 hairs per centimeter squared; this is considered medically and scientifically significant.

The company also disclosed that none of the studies’ participants suffered from any serious side effects. From the clinical results, according to the press release, “the FDA Granted Class II Clearance 510(k) K103368 of these medical devices for sale in the USA for the ‘Treatment of Hair Loss and Promotion of Hair Growth’ in males.” This validates that the HairMax is a non-drug option for the treatment of herditary hair loss in males.

The Hair Foundation’s Dr. Zoe Draelos was involved in the studies and the HairMax LaserComb is a partner of the Hair Foundation.

These clinical trials are posted on www.clinicaltrials.gov and the submission of the data was a major component of the FDA filing; it was a key factor in the agency’s decision to clear the HairMax LaserComb.

In response to the new devices, Lexington said the following:

“The new devices, which are designed for mass market appeal, will greatly expand the treatment options for people suffering from thinning hair,” said Randy Veliky, Lexington COO.  “The combination of our patented technology, state of the art design and the proven efficacy will better satisfy the needs of the millions of men suffering from this condition”

To learn more about the LaserCombs and the impact of the FDA approval, here’s a link to the press release.

In a new study published by the Journal of Sexual Medicine, WebMD is reporting that the side effects from men taking mediciations that shrink enlarged prostates and treat male pattern baldness may have persistent sexual side effects once the drugs are discontinued.

The drug, which is called 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors, “block the action of the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT), an androgen that’s more potent than its precursor, testosterone.”

These drugs include Avodart, Propecia, and Proscar.

According to this study, men taking Propecia for hair loss found that about half of them regrew some hair; however, 42 percent did not see additional hair loss when compared to men taking placebo pills. 

Furthermore, it also found that the side effects of these medications such as anxiety, depression, loss of sex drive, diffiuclty getting or maintaining an erection, have not been at the forefront for those taking the medicine and for those who stop taking these medications, the side effects will continue.  

For more about these findings, please read the WebMD article.

In a recent U.S. News World and Report story, they tackle nine myths about men and balding. According to the article, by the time men are 60-years old, nearly two out of three will begin balding. And most don’t part with their hair with open arms: American men spend $1 billion per year to save their beloved hair. 

While there’s a lot of causes for baldness, there’s no cure. After looking at these nine myths, maybe men shouldn’t worry so much?

Here’s the myths examined by the news magazine:

• Hair loss is passed down from your mother’s side.
• If you’re balding, you’re old.
• Wearing a hat strains hair follicles, causing hair to fall out.
• Trauma can cause hair loss.
• Treatments like Propecia and Rogaine can prevent hair loss.
• If you want to hang onto your hair, stay away from gel and hairspray.
• Exposure to the sun encourages balding.
• Loading up on carbohydrates can lead to hair loss.
• The most sexually active men are the first to go bald

To learn more about these myths and how they’re dispelled, here’s the article.

In a recent UCLA study conducted on mice, scientists set out to explore the relationship between stress and the digestive system. With their increased stress levels, the researchers were studying the mice gut function; concurrently, the mice were also losing their hair.

For five days, the mice were injected once a day with the chemical compound a-stressin B as an antagonist to block increased stress levels. Once the injection was made to the mice, an interesting discovery was made: the balding mice began to regrow their hair after given this compound.  

Three months later the mice had totally regrown their hair, which lasted for months without another dose. According to the lead researcher Dr. Mulugeta Million, a veterinarian and co-director of the UCLA/CURE Digestive Diseases Research Center,  the compound that temporarily blocks CRF receptors could be a therapy for alopecia by stimulating hair growth.

It could also help  male pattern baldness and hair loss due to chemotherapy as well as prevent grayingi hair.

Don’t seek this treatment out yet. It will be a while before it’s tested on humans but the next step is clinical trials.

To learn about this interesting discovery,  here’s a link to the news story.

In a study reported in the Annals of Oncology, French investigators discovered that men in their 60s with prostate cancer are twice as likely than their cancer-free peers to have endured androgenic alopecia (or male pattern baldness) as young men, beginning in their 20s.

The study found these results after using a control study with this specific group of men as compared with an age-matched control group. 

In addtion, while early hair loss might be a risk sign for prostate cancer in older men, these studies did not find an association between premature balding and advanced tumor stage, a high Gleason score (considered seven or higher), or high prostate-specific antigen (a PSA level >20 ng/mL). 

The researchers contend that early alopecia on men could help indentify those at risk for prostate cancer.

To read more about the study’s findings, please read the following Medscape Today article.

The makers of Latisse, the eyelash-enhancing medicine, will put their product to the test and explore if the active ingredient  in the serum that can grow eyelashes (bimatoprost ophthalmic solution, 0.03 percent) can also grow hair. 

Allergan (the makers of Latisse) is currently looking for volunteers to conduct a trial on 28 patients for a hair growth treatment will include men with moderate male-pattern baldness and women with hair loss. The trial should be completed by the end of February.

The Food and Drug Administration approved Latisse in 2008 for eyelash use but it could also perhaps be approved in the form of a cream to be applied to the scalp for hair growth.