Reactivating stem cells might bring hope to hair loss sufferers

Scientists that have examined the causes for hair loss have shown that the scalp of a bald man contains the same number of hair producing cells as the head of a person with a full head of hair. The difference is therefore not the number of hair on the head but the size of these hairs. On the bald areas the hairs are there but they are so small they can barely be seen. These researchers therefore believe it might be possible to stimulate these hair follicles to produce bigger hairs again. The problem is that stem cells in the scalp don’t mature to cells called progenitor cells, but they are the cells that produce big hairs. This gives us the possibility to develop a drug that stimulates these stem cells to become the more mature progenitor cells. The researchers say that information on this is very limited and needs further research before a potential drug can be developed. None the less, this creates hope for those who have already lost their hair. 

Read the original article here: http://www.belgraviacentre.com/blog/new-theory-about-male-pattern-baldness/

Does laser therapy work for treating hair loss?

There has been a lot of talk about laser therapy for hair loss, including male pattern baldness. Countless number of products are available to the consumer, some with magical like claims about hair regrowth. The most popular products are laser combs and laser helmets that you can have on your head for longer periods of time. But how well do these claims of hair regrowth fit the truth? There have been several scientific studies made to try to answer this  but with varying results. According to a newly published review, these studies have serious problems with power, research methods and analysis and stronger randomized controlled trials are needed in order to verify the claimed effect of laser therapy for hair loss. Until then, nothing can be concluded about the efficacy of this treatment.

Link to review: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23924031

Male pattern baldness and coronary heart disease (CHD)

A meta-analysis performed by Yamada and associates at the University of Tokyo examined 850 studies on MPB and coronary heart disease (CHD) in order to estimate if the relationship between these two disorders is significant. The studies included 36990 participants in total. The results showed a signifcant relationship between MPB in the vertex area and CHD and this correlation was higher in younger men. Frontal baldness was not found to be correlated with CHD. The researchers say that CHD risk factors should be evaluated carefully in men with MPB. The nature of the correlation needs further investigation in order to estimate the causes. This is something all men with MPB should be aware of since CHD is a serious disease and can possibly be avoided with the proper nutritional and behavioural modifications.

Read full article here: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3641488/pdf/bmjopen-2012-002537.pdf

Pumpkin seed oil found to reverse balding

Korean researchers at the Pusan National University have shown that pumpkin seed oil increases hair growth in balding men. Pumpkin seeds have been used for a long time by many to treat hair loss as they are thought to block the conversion of testosterone to di hydro testosterone (DHT), which is the hormone thought to be responsible for male pattern baldness (MPB). The researchers found hair growth to be significantly better in the group taking pumpkin seed oil than in the placebo group. 44% of the men in the group taking pumpkin seed oil had slightly or moderately increased hair growth compared to only 7.7% in the placebo group. Pumpkin seed oil is therefore a worthy component in the battle against hair loss. 

Read full article here: http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/714429-pumpkin-seed-oil-found-to-help-reverse-balding/

Milk and sugar might cause acne. Could there be a link to hair loss?

This is not an article about hair loss, but about acne. It is, however, interesting because acne and hair loss are often believed to be caused by the same factors such as hormonal changes in the skin and increased sebum production. This article describes how milk and sugar alter the amount of male sex hormones and insulin in the body and can cause acne. Large clinical studies have shown this connection between milk sugar and acne and hopefully some researchers will explore if the same applies for hair loss.

Read the original article here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-mark-hyman/do-milk-and-sugar-cause-a_b_822163.html

Researcher uses stem cells to create hair cells in humans

For the first time a researcher has managed to make stem cells convert to sizable amounts of hair cells in human tissue that are capable of growing hair follicles. This might lead to baldness treatment with stem cells in the future. The researcher, however, warns that it will take some time and we should not expect this to happen within the next 10 years.

Read original article here: http://www.upenn.edu/

Molecule found to signal hair growth

A recent study identifies a molecule called laminins-511 that tells hair follicles to start the growing cycle. This protein is a messenger that signals hair follicles to grow hair. The only problem is that it's in mice, so further investigation is needed to see if the same applies for humans. Studies on laminins-511 on human hair growth are underway and results could be expected in the next two years.

Read original article here: http://www.menshealth.com/health/latest-research-hair-loss

Bone marrow drug regrows hair in Alopecia areata

A recent study found that a drug used to treat bone marrow diseases capable of regrowing hair in people suffering from alopecia areata. Full regrowth of hair was seen after taking the drug for five months.

Read the full article at BBC news: http://www.bbc.com/news/health-28834058

Does fat under skin affect hair loss?

Article summary: "A new discovery showing how hair growth activated fat tissue growth in the skin below the hair follicle could lead to the development of a cream to dissolve fat. The world first research confirmed that changes in the hair growth cycle led to fluctuations in the thickness of the underlying fat layer of the skin -- essentially meaning that the skin can regulate fat production."

Read full article from Science Direct here: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/04/140401102709.htm

Arthritis drug spurs hair growth

Link to full article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/06/140619125329.htm