Breakthrough Treatments for Hair Loss
New Developments in Hair Loss Treatments
The hair loss industry is a very lucrative market in the United States, providing both medical treatments and surgical solutions for men and women affected by hair loss. Currently, the most common form of medical restoration is hair transplant surgery. It is estimated that over 100,000 people in the United States undergo hair transplant surgery each year, at approximately $10,000 each, making it a $1 billion per year industry. In addition to that, are the millions of people that spend $20 a month for Rogaine (minoxidil) or $50 a month for Propecia (finasteride) in an effort to prevent hair loss and encourage hair growth.
Although the current treatment options for hair loss are better than ever, there are many new and promising treatments currently under research. This field of research is well-funded, with the hope that scientists and researchers will be able to discover new and effective treatment options for people dealing with hair loss, whether from illness or injury, age or genetics. As the science evolves and new chance discoveries are made, we can look forward to finding new solutions for hair loss.
Stem Cell Research - Hair Multiplication - Hair Cloning
One of the promising, new treatments for baldness is a process known as hair multiplication, or hair cloning. This approach to hair loss treatment results from stem cell research in which scientists discovered and isolated stem cells and dermal papilla cells in hair follicles. This discovery is leading to treatment that focuses on regenerating aging hair follicle cells so that they once again grow healthy hair.
Hair Multiplication (HM) is currently being developed by Aderans Research Institute (ARI), a hair regeneration research company located in the USA, and Intercytex, a biotechnology firm located in Manchester, UK. While it may be a few years before this hair regeneration therapy is available to the general public, initial testing has reportedly had successful results.
Another stem-cell approach to treating hair loss has also been developed by Italian researchers. According to Pierluigi Santi of the Genoa clinic, they are able to “multiply” hair roots, by splitting roots and growing new follicles. They will perform their first hair transplants on patients who have lost hair in fires or other accidents, then they will take on other hair loss patients.
Other research into hair follicle generation was done at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Their studies on adult mice showed that hair follicles could be regenerated in adult mammals, something once thought to be impossible. The researches focused on the healing process of deep skin wounds. Stem cells were sent to the damaged skin with instructions for the epidermal cells to be reprogrammed into a hair follicle. The programming worked and the new hair follicle functioned normally, producing hair and cycling thru the hair growth cycle. While actual treatments will take many years to develop, this approach will one day help many people suffering from hair loss due to diseases, injuries, or male pattern hair loss.
Scalp Transplant
While we are all familiar with organ transplants, such as liver transplants, heart transplants, and corneal transplants, but what about scalp transplants? The prospect was presented by leading scientist Maria Siemionow, who is renowned for her groundbreaking work in the field of facial transplants, to audience members at the recent International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery convention in Las Vegas.
The surgery would involve moving an entire scalp from one person, the donor who died, to the bald recipient. Currently, transplant recipients must stay on fairly toxic and expensive medications for life, which makes it unrealistic for cosmetic surgery. However, scalp transplants may one day be a reality because this transplantation expert and her team at The Cleveland Clinic are currently researching and developing an immunosuppressant drug that would need to be taken for only a week. While scalp transplants may seem extreme to some, there are many medical procedures that are currently accepted, such as in-vitro fertilization, that were at one time considered extreme as well.
Low Level Laser Therapy - Laser Combs
Hand-held laser combs use a low-level cold light beam to stimulate growth in hair follicles and increase blood flow to help the cells function better. The first and so far the only medical laser device to receive FDA clearance for promotion of hair growth is the HairMax LaserComb. The HairMax is a non-topical, drug free, non-surgical treatment option for male pattern hair loss that can be used in the privacy of your own home. While some question the claims of the HairMax, the FDA accepted the submitted claims of hair growth and gave clearance for marketing in late January 2007.
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