University of Pennsylvania Archives

To Cure Baldness, Turn-on Your Hair Follicles

A new study indicates that hair follicles might have turn-ons and turn-offs, just like the men and women. Unlike men and women, the recently discovered on/off switches have nothing to do with preference for the personality, physical features, or proximity of a potential mate. Instead, these turn-ons involve stem cells and a special pathway that delivers a protein referred to as Wnt.

The study was conducted at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine. There, a team of scientists has discovered that “turning on” a special pathway known to regulate adult stem cells can trigger the release of Wnt proteins and cause even dormant (hairless) follicles to grow new strands of hair. On the other hand, scientists believe the pathway can also be “turned off” to prevent Wnt proteins from causing hair to grow.

Stem Cells, Wnt Protein, and Hair Growth

The discovery that hair follicles might be able to be “turned on” or “turned off” via manipulating a specific pathway has become a topic of much discussion this winter. Reporting to the journal Cell Stem Cell, Sarah Millar explains:

While more research is needed to improve our understanding of this pathway, our results suggest that therapeutics capable of decreasing levels of [Wnt action] in the skin could potentially be used to block growth of unwanted hair[…] Conversely, agents that activate Wnt signaling might be used to promote hair growth.

Nourishing the Hair Follicle

Hair follicle health is essential for the growth of full and beautiful hair. Follicles support the growth of each strand, serving as a foundation through which oxygen, protein, and other vital nutrients are delivered. When follicle health suffers, hair can become brittle, fine, and can stop growing altogether.

For these reasons, scientists have become fixated on the study and improvement of hair follicle health. The discoveries made by the research team at the University of Pennsylvania noted above are just one example. Around the globe, other research institutions and scientists are studying additional ways to improve the health of hair follicles. Ultimately, the goal is to find a way to wake dormant follicles and nourish them until they can support a normal hair growth cycle. In doing so, scientists believe a cure for baldness will be achieved.

Low Level Laser Therapy

One way scientists believe hair follicles can be nourished is through Low Level Laser Therapy, or LLLT. This special treatment exposes areas of bald scalp to FDA-approved lasers that are designed to stimulate blood flow to dormant hair follicles. The lasers are cool to the touch and safe to use in conjunction with other hair loss treatments, like hair transplant surgery, Rogaine®, or Propecia®.

Low Level Laser Therapy at Our Institute

The Hair Transplant Institute of Miami is pleased to offer the Capillus 272, a new and completely portable form of LLLT treatment that fits underneath your favorite baseball cap or hat. Patients who use the Capillus 272 enjoy a comfortable, convenient, and personalized treatment at home, in the office, on a morning run, or even on the golf course.

To learn more about this new and exciting treatment for hair loss, watch the video below.

The Capillus 272 is designed for men and women who want to reenergize their hair with safe, FDA-approved laser therapy. The Capillus may deliver exceptional results when used in conjunction with hair transplant surgery, Rogaine®, Propecia®, or stand-alone.

Hair Loss Evaluation. To learn more about hair loss evaluations at the Hair Transplant Institute of Miami, call our office directly at 305-925-0222.

Fgf9 Protein Might Hold Cure for Baldness, Study Finds

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have made a surprising discovery that has the potential to make hair loss worries a thing of the past. The news is particularly exciting for some 500 million men and nearly 20 million women who suffer with thinning, shedding, or balding, as it may hold the key to permanently reversing the signs of hair loss.

Men and women who suffer with hair loss will have to wait for this new study to produce an effective cure, however. The research is based solely on trials conducted with laboratory mice, and extensive follow-up research and clinical trials are needed before hair transplant surgeons can hope to offer such a treatment to patients.

Fibroblast Growth Factor 9 (Fgf9) and Hair Follicle Growth

While studying the wound healing process in laboratory mice, researchers at the Department of Dermatology at the University of Pennsylvania found that a specific type of immune system cell could be the key to curing baldness. The cell, called gamma-delta (γδ), produces a vital protein during the healing process. That protein, fibroblast growth factor 9 (Fgf9), also appears to fuel the growth of hair follicles.

It is important to note, however, that the human immune system differs from that of mice. Specifically, humans are markedly deficient in gamma-delta cells. This fact has led researchers to speculate that lack of gamma-delta cells is the reason why humans might experience difficulty regenerating hair in areas where a wound has healed.

George Cotsarelis, M.D., served on the University of Pennsylvania research team that conducted this groundbreaking study. As lead author, Dr. Cotsarelis made the following statement in a press release issued by the Perelman School of Medicine:

“The findings help explain why humans don’t regenerate their hair after wounding. The study also points us to a way to treat wounds and grow hair,” (i).

Testing the Hypothesis: How Fgf9 Stimulates Hair Follicle Growth

Researchers tested the exciting new link between the protein Fgf9 and hair follicle growth by dividing laboratory mice into 2 groups: A control group, and a test group.

For the control group, researchers simply monitored the occurrence of hair growth during and after the wound healing process. For the test group, however, researchers reduced the expression of the Fgf9 protein. Test group mice exhibited a marked decline in hair growth, leading researchers to attribute the deficiency to a lack of Fgf9 protein.

As a follow up, researchers decided to test the opposite. When enhancing the expression of Fgf9, mice in the test group exhibited approximately 2-3 times the hair growth as those in the control group (ii). As a result, researchers have good reason to believe that Fgf9 plays a critical role in the development of new, healthy, fully functional hair follicles.

This health report has been produced by the Hair Transplant Institute of Miami. For additional information on our Institute, including hair loss evaluation and consultation services, readers are invited to contact our office directly at 1-877-443-9070.

Sources:

(i) “New Hope for Baldness Cure.” Medical Daily. Accessed 11 June 2013.

(ii) See above.