Hair Foundation Blog

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.

According to a  new study by Roland Lauster, a professor at the Berlin Technical University in Berlin, Germany, he’s been able to regrow hair follicles from stem cells. Researchers are alleging that cells may be implanted onto the scalp and dead follicles can be rejuvenated. 

Unfortunately for interested parties, you’re going to have to wait. Lauster conducted studies on mice and believes that humans will have this opportunity in maybe five years. He thinks this baldness cure could help as many as 80 percent of the people who suffer from hair loss.

This isn’t the first time these findings have come to light. In an article by Fox News, it states that the University of Pennsylvania found similar findings in 2004 but it didn’t produce a cure for baldness.

In recent studies of male baldness and the drug finasteride (Propecia), researchers have discovered while there’s a high rate of success for new hair growth with the drug, a side effect has emerged.

According to a Reuters article, an analysis published in the Archives of Dermatology found that “men with the most common form of baldness who took finasteride are more likely to experience an increase in hair count, and say they believe their hair is thicker. But approximately one in 80 also experience erectile dysfunction.”

One doctor commented that studies showed that the men did not discontinue taking the drug and he surmised the men really prefer having hair.

Dr. Matt Leavitt, Hair Foundation secretary and medical director of the Advanced Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery Clinic, was quoted in the article as saying he wasn’t surprised by the findings, and prescribes finasteride quite often for his patients.

Furthermore, Leavitt said, ”…there is an occasional patient that does describe a sexual side effect, but most are willing to try the drug knowing they can just stop taking it if any problems arise. We know that it works on most patients.”

 To read the entire article including the recent findings, please see the following link.