Hair Loss Treatments Research | How To Regrow Thinning Hair And Stop Further Hair Loss

Onion Juice for Hair Growth and Hair Loss Prevention: Fact or Fiction?

You might be surprised to hear the humble onion is used by thousands of people around the world to promote hair growth. This versatile staple, which has been cultivated for over 5,000 years, is believed by many to not only stop hair loss but even promote its regrowth.
So does it work?
What’s In Onion Juice That Helps Hair?
High sulfur content may directly build hair keratin

The key ingredient in onion juice believed to remedy hair loss is sulfur. Onions are 89% water, but they contain high levels of sulfur. Garlic, a species of the same Allium onion genus, is also sulfur-rich and also mooted as a cure for hair loss, although less well known as onion.
It’s believed that supplementing the levels of sulfur in your body can contribute to hair growth. Sulfur is stored in the body as an organic compound called methylsulfonylmethane (MSM). The compound breaks down, releasing sulfur, which helps grow hair, bone and nails.

To learn more see MSM for Hair Growth: A Complete Guide.
But the substance which gives skin, nails and hair increased resilience and strength is keratin.
Keratin is composed of strong protein fibers which help protect epithelial cells. The amino acids which make up these keratin proteins contain high levels of sulfur.
Anti-bacterial properties may protect scalp from infection
A study has also proven the antibacterial properties of onion juice. Even after 48 hours, extracts of onion at room temperature were shown to have an antibacterial effect on common bacterial strains. Hair needs a healthy scalp and follicles to grow strongly, so this ability to fight infections may have a positive effect on hair growth.
High antioxidant content may protect scalp and follicles from free radicals
A further study has revealed the onion to be one of the richest sources of dietary flavonoids. These antioxidants neutralize free radicals, the molecules that lead to premature ageing. Free radicals may have a negative effect on hair follicle development, reducing hair regrowth.
Reducing scalp inflammation
It is believed that scalp inflammation is one of the key causes of male pattern hair loss. Fortunately, the sulfur found in onion works as an anti-inflammatory agent, further helping to create a healthy scalp environment.
Sulfur deficiency
For people with a sulfur deficiency, increasing sulfur in the diet will almost certainly help regenerate hair follicles and promote hair growth.
The studies cited show that onion juice contains substances which are powerful weapons for treating hair loss. We know as well that onion is a great source of minerals, including potassium, germanium, calcium and manganese. Onion is also rich in vitamins B6 and C. These all help to nourish the scalp and combat hair loss.
Have there been any studies which actually prove the effectiveness of onion juice in treating hair loss? There has been only one so far, carried out in Baghdad Teaching Hospital, Iraq.
Study Shows Onion Juice Reverses Alopecia Areata

The study found that there was some regrowth of terminal coarse hairs after only two weeks

In June 2002, the Journal of Dermatology published a study exploring how effective onion juice is in treating alopecia areata. It’s important to note that alopecia areata is a different hair loss to the much more common male-pattern baldness.
Alopecia areata is a patchy hair loss condition which can occur on areas of the body outside the scalp. It can affect people of all age and ethnic groups, as well as both sexes. It occurs when the immune system attacks the body’s hair follicles, suppressing hair growth. This results in small patches of hair loss, which are usually not permanent.
Male-pattern baldness is a hereditary condition though which is permanent, and results in complete loss of hair around the crown of the head and the temples. Known also as androgenetic alopecia, predisposition depends on levels of the male sex hormone, DHT and levels of the stress hormone cortisol — as well as several other factors.
In the study, participants were divided into two groups. 23 patients aged between five and 42 made up the first group, 16 males and seven females. This group was asked to apply an onion juice treatment twice daily for two months. Eight males and seven females, aged between three and 35 years, formed the second, control group. They applied tap water to their scalps at the same intervals as the first group.
The study found that there was some regrowth of terminal coarse hairs after only two weeks in some of the group using onion juice. After four weeks, hair regrowth was observed in 17 patients, almost three quarters of the total group. Finally after six weeks, hair regrowth was observed in 20 patients, almost 90% of the total.
Hair regrowth in the control group using tap water was restricted to just two patients after eight weeks, one male and one female. Perhaps surprisingly for the group using onion juice, males outperformed the females in hair regrowth. Only one of the 16 males in the group failed to regrow hair; while two out of 7 females failed to do so. The results of this study suggest that crude onion juice is much more effective in treating patchy alopecia areata than tap water.
While this is the only known study to have been carried out to show the effectiveness of onion juice on hair loss, the results are very encouraging. It should be remembered though that the type of hair loss suffered by the study’s participants was the transitory alopecia areata. For male-pattern baldness, where DHT is the main offender, no such encouraging research results have been forthcoming. Still, onion juice can help to reduce both follicle inflammation and the levels of DHT found on the scalp. This means that sulfur-rich onion juice might at least slow the effects of male-pattern baldness, which will be a comfort to many even if it’s not a cure.

Pygeum For Hair Loss: Better Than Saw Palmetto?

Pygeum is an extract from the bark of Prunus Africana known in English as the African Plum Tree and has become popular in the last decades due to studies showing its anti-androgenic effects.
The extract, the fruits as well as the bark of the tree have been used as a traditional medicine in Africa for centuries to treat different ailments such as infections and inflammation. Pygeum extract shows promise as a natural treatment for hair loss due to its DHT blocking effects. Whether its effects are due to its fatty acids, anti-inflammatory properties or the beta-sitosterol in contains (Stewart, 2003) remains to be researched further, but there are numerous studies showing its potential DHT inhibiting properties in patients suffering from an enlarged prostate and even from prostate cancer.
DHT Inhibitor

The authors mention that this particular mechanism is similar to the one of finasteride and could lead to developing a new similar drug without the severe side effects

Hair follicles in the scalp can be sensitive to DHT, which causes them to miniaturise over time, gradually making hair thinner and eventually causing baldness.
Androgenic alopecia’s pathogenesis is androgen dependent, meaning that the androgen receptor (AR) gene is one of the main culprits for its early onset (Hilmer et al., 2005). This may be one of the reasons why pygeum is an effective treatment for hair loss as researchers noticed that it inhibits the human AR, which contributes to growth of the prostate gland and to alopecia.
N-butylbenzene-sulfonamide
The 5 alpha-reductase (5AR) inhibiting mechanism is due to the isolated N-butylbenzene-sulfonamide (NBBS) compound in pygeum, which is a specific AR antagonist. (Papaioannou et al., 2010)
Cysteine, lysine and serine
A scientific paper (Cabeza et al., 2016) reviewed drugs used for androgen dependent diseases. Among them, Pygeum’s mechanism that enables the inhibition of the 5AR enzyme is based on the formation of an enzyme steroid complex with a nucleophilic part composed of substances like cysteine, lysine and serine. The authors mention that this particular mechanism is similar to the one of finasteride and could lead to developing a new similar drug without the severe side effects.
Pygeum and nettle

the best results were seen when they were used together

Pygeum is more effective than nettle. Nettle and pygeum combined are more effective than pygeum alone.
Other studies seem to confirm these effects: when pygeum was studied in relation to nettle root extracts, researchers found that they significantly blocked the action of 5 alpha reductase and aromatase, which caused a decrease in DHT. When nettle root and pygeum effects were compared against each other, pygeum extract was the one showing higher efficacy even in low doses, but the best results were seen when they were used together. (Ghorbanibirgani et al., 2013; Hartman et al., 1996)
Pygeum compared to Finasteride, saw palmetto and Tamosuosin
Pygeum: 43.3% improvement. Finasteride: 57% improvement. Saw palmetto: 42.7% improvement.
In another study (Hutchinson et al., 2007), 2559 patients suffering from BPH and following a various set of treatments were compared with patients that were simply supervised without following any treatment. The treatments followed by the first group included: finasteride, saw palmetto, tamosulosin, and pygeum. After a year, there was a significant improvement registered for the group that received treatment when compared to the untreated group but the results varied according to the type of treatment received. Those who were taking a treatment involving pygeum had 43.3% improvement, comparable to the results for finasteride (57% improvement). Also, the patients that were receiving pygeum africanum had a slightly better improvement rate when compared to those who were treated with saw palmetto (42.7 %).
These studies confirm that pygeum may have similar, if not better effects than saw palmetto. This, however, also depends on the dosage and each individuals, as some might respond better to one plant than the other.
Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties
Besides being a 5AR inhibitor, pygeum is also a good source of antioxidants which may help nourish hair and protect it from free radicals. Various studies (Oktay et al., 2003; Steenkamp et al., Feng et al., 1995) have shown that the extract of pygeum has excellent antioxidative properties.
Studies on animals have shown that pygeum has a significant anti-inflammatory activity by decreasing the production of leukotrienes, 5-lipoxygenase metabolites and inhibiting fibroblast production. (Boulbès et al., 2006)(Quiles et al.,2010) Other studies (Cristoni et al.,2000, Stewart,2003) have also confirmed these anti-inflammatory effects. Since people with hair loss usually present significant inflammation of the scalp, pygeum could also be used as an adjuvant in hair loss treatments. Furthermore, these beneficial effects make pygeum a superior treatment to saw palmetto since it also reduces inflammation.
Dosage
As for dosages, in most studies, pygeum is taken in two 200mg doses per day as a maximum dosage but studies have shown that a single dosage of 100mg per day or two dosages of 50mg per day have shown significant effects and are safe even after a 12 months of continuous usage. (Chatelain et al., 1999) The extract can be found on its own or part of a supplement either for hair loss or prostate enlargement, in combination with other natural ingredients such as saw palmetto or nettle root.
The side effects when taking this extract have been shown by most studies to be minimal and mostly include a mild stomach upset.
Best Pygeum supplements for hair loss
Below are what I consider to be some of the best DHT blocker supplements that contain pygeum.

Advanced Technology DHT Blocker with Immune Support
$36 for 120 Capsules
This is a superb all round DHT blocker supplement. Not only does it contain a powerful blend of DHT blocker ingredients; it also contains probiotics, which help improve intestinal health and support an alkaline PH level, which may be beneficial for healthy DHT levels.It also contains the amino acid lysine, which studies show, increases hair growth. This is a top DHT blocker supplement.

Contains saw palmetto, which has been shown to reduce DHT levels
Contains green tea, rich in polyphenols, which has shown great promise in fighting hair loss
Evidence suggests nettle extract helps block DHT
Studies show grape seed extract is beneficial for hair growth
Pygeum extract is thought to be a stong natural DHT blocker
Pumpkin seed is a good source of alpha linoleic acid, which may help reduce DHT levels. It’s also thought to be an anti-inflammatory, which may help promote hair growth
Zinc is a mineral which is essential for hair growth and has been shown to have several benefits on hair health
Contains green tea extract, which studies show reduces DHT and also contains EGCG which inhibits PGD2 — a major cause of hair loss

Ingredients

Zinc (as Zinc Oxide) 25mgs
DHT Blocker Proprietary Blend 1390mgs

Saw Palmetto Berry Extract (Standardized to contain 45% Fatty Acids) (Serenoa repens)
Green Tea Leaf Extract (Standardized to Contain 90% Polyphenols 60% Catechins, and 45% EGCG)
Stinging Nettle Root (Urtica dioicia)
L-Lysine
Grape Seed Extract (Standardized to Contain 95% Proanthocyanidins) (Vitis vinefera)
Pygeum Bark (Pygeum africanum)
Pumpkin Seed Extract (Curcubita maxima)

Immune/Digestive Proprietary Blend 525mgs

*Lactobacillus Acidophilus (15 Billion/CFU)

Grapefruit Seed Extract (Citrus paradise)
Chicory Root 4:1 Extract (Cichorium intybus)

Buy online (USA)

Hairomega 3-in-1 DHT blocker $20 for 120 Tablets
Hairomega’s DHT blocker not only blocks DHT but increases blood flow to the scalp using various polyphenols, which aid in further hair growth once the hair follicles are restored. There are even other beneficial vitamins in the pill for your overall health, making this supplement a fantastic option for a DHT blocker!

Contains vitamins and minerals that support hair growth
Contains several potent ingredients that are strongly believed to reduce serum DHT
Contains quercetin, green tea, raspberry and broccoli, which are high in antioxidants
Contains mushrooms and herbs, which may benefit hair growth

Ingredients

vitamin e
vitamin b6
zinc
copper
selenium
saw palmetto extract
beta-sitosterol
pygeum africanum
red raspberry
graviola
green tea
cat’s claw
broccoli
tomato powder
stinging nettle
maitake mushroom
shiitake mushroom
quercetin dihydrate
juniper berry
uba ursi
buchu leaf
glutamic acid
l-alanine
l-glycine
calcium
pumpkin seed
burdock root
cayenne pepper
goldenseal
gravel root
marshmallow root
parsley leaf

Buy online (USA)
Buy online (UK)

Folliform DHT Blocker for Men and Women
$29.99 for 60 Capsules
Folliform DHT Blocker uses saw palmetto, nettle root extract, green tea, pumpkin seed, pygeum extract, and zinc oxide to help with hair growth. These ingredients form a natural DHT blocker, meaning that not only will your hair grow longer, but you’ll also only be adding all-natural ingredients to your body. Many users have seen not only hair growth, but improvement in nail health as well (which is just an added bonus!)

All the ingredients used in this supplement are strongly believed to reduce serum DHT
Green tea contains antioxidants, which may also be beneficial for hair growth

Ingredients

Saw Palmetto
Nettle Root Extract
Green Tea
Pygeum Extract
Pumpkin Seed Extract
and Zinc Oxide

Buy online (USA)

Pygeum is an endangered species
Whatever product you choose, make sure that the pygeum is extracted from a responsible source; since the pygeum plant is an endangered species.
Conclusions
Pygeum africanum could be a potential treatment for hair loss due to its DHT inhibiting effects but also due to the fact that it may also reduce inflammation in the scalp. Further research is needed to completely understand the substance’s potential and efficacy but its effects are similar to saw palmetto and even superior according to one study, which compared the both. Fortunately, the extract is safe to take as a supplement so those suffering from androgenic alopecia should try it on its own or in combination with other treatments they are taking. As a precaution, always ask your physician before taking any supplements, especially if you follow other treatments.
Most importantly, make absolute certain you tell your doctor that you’ve taken pygeum supplements before having your prostate examination — pygeum is likely to effect prostate size and therefore may influence the result of your prostate exam.

References

Stewart KM. The African cherry (Prunus africana): can lessons be learned from an over-exploited medicinal tree? J Ethnopharmacol 89 (2003):
3–13. Shenouda N., Sakla M., Newton L., et al. Phytosterol Pygeum africanum regulates prostate cancer in vitro and in vivo. Endocrine. 2007;31(1):72–81. doi: 10.1007/s12020-007-0014-y. [PubMed]
Wilt T., Ishani A., Mac Donald R., Rutks I., Stark G. Pygeum africanum for benign prostatic hyperplasia. Cochrane Database Syst. Rev. 2002;1:CD001044. [PubMed]
Hillmer, A. M., Hanneken, S., Ritzmann, S., Becker, T., Freudenberg, J., Brockschmidt, F. F., … Nöthen, M. M. (2005). Genetic Variation in the Human Androgen Receptor Gene Is the Major Determinant of Common Early-Onset Androgenetic Alopecia. American Journal of Human Genetics, 77(1), 140–148.
Schleich S., Papaioannou M., Baniahmad A., Matusch R. Activity-guided isolation of an antiandrogenic compound of Pygeum africanum. Planta Medica. 2006;72(6):547–551. doi: 10.1055/s-2006-941472.
Oh B.R., Kim S.J., Moon J.D., Kim H.N., Kwon D.D., Won Y.H. Association of benign prostatic hyperplasia with male pattern baldness. Urology. 1998;51:744–748. [PubMed]
Amoretti A., Laydner H. & Bergfeld W. Androgenetic alopecia and risk of prostate cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J. Am. Acad. Dermatol. 68, 937–943 (2013). [PubMed]
Steenkamp V, Gouws MC, Gulumian M, Elgorashi EE, Van Staden J. Studies on antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity of herbal remedies used in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostatitis. J Ethnopharmacol. 2006;103:71–75. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2005.07.007.
Boulbès D, Soustelle L, Costa P, Haddoum M, Bali JP, et al. Pygeum africanum extract inhibits proliferation of human cultured prostatic fibroblasts and myofibroblasts. BJU Int. 2006;98:1106–13.
Quiles MT, Arbos MA, Fraga A, de Torres IM, Reventos J, et al. Antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of the herbal agent Pygeum africanum on cultured prostate stromal cells from patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) Prostate. 2010;70:1044–53. [PubMed]
Cabeza, M., Sánchez-Márquez, A., Garrido, M., Silva, A., & Bratoeff, E. (2016). Recent Advances in Drug Design and Drug Discovery for Androgen-Dependent Diseases. Current Medicinal Chemistry, 23(8), 792–815. http://doi.org/10.2174/0929867323666160210125642
Ghorbanibirgani, A., Khalili, A., & Zamani, L. (2013). The Efficacy of Stinging Nettle (Urtica Dioica) in Patients with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: A Randomized Double-Blind Study in 100 Patients. Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal, 15(1), 9–10. http://doi.org/10.5812/ircmj.2386
Hartmann RW, Mark M, Soldati F. Inhibition of 5-alpha-reductase and aromatase by PHL-0081, a combination of PY102 (Pygeum africanum) and UR102 (Urtica dioica) extracts. Phytomedicine. 1996;3(2):121-8.
Chatelain C., Autet W., Brackman F. (1999). Comparison of once and twice daily dosage forms ofPygeum africanum extract in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia: a randomized, double-blind study, with long-term open label extension. Urology 54 473–478. 10.1016/S0090-4295(99)00147-8

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Pumpkin Seed Oil for Hair Growth & Hair Loss Prevention

Pumpkin seed oil has been proven scientifically to improve the hair count and prevent hair loss while increasing hair thickness. This article will discuss the scientific studies and show exactly how pumpkin seed oil can be effective for hair growth.
The most common form of hair loss is Andogenic Alopecia (AGA). This is hair loss caused by the hormone DHT. According to various scientific studies, AGA affects approximately 70% of men in their later life particularly after the age of 50 years. However I would estimate it to be a far greater number and a much lower age. Androgens and genetic factors primarily underline the pathogenesis of Androgenic alopecia (Semalty, Semalty, Joshi, & Rawat, 2011). The hair follicles spend less time in their active growth phase and gradually ‘miniaturize’ over a period of years.
AGA usually effects the temples first and continuous through time to effect all of the top of the scalp. Eventually, this leads to complete loss of the hair on the top of the scalp, while the back and sides may remain fairly normal.
What anti hair loss properties does pumpkon seed oil have?
Pumpkin seed oil is obtained by pressing hulled pumpkin seeds, which are a rich source of essential fatty acids, antioxidants and minerals. Along with being a delicious plant, pumpkin is also recognized as having medicinal properties, including anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic.
Studies have shown pumpkin seed oil is effective in battling hair loss
A clinical study was carried out that investigated the efficiency of pumpkin seed oil for the treatment of hair loss and AGA in particular. The study was conducted in a randomized manner during a 24-week period (Cho, Lee, Jeong, & Choi, 2014). The study included 76 male subjects suffering with moderate AGA. The study evaluated the effects using a process called phototrichography, which helps us analyse changes in hair including hair diameters and hair counts. The analysis was performed before starting the trial and again at the end. The results revealed that pumpkin seed oil treatment increased hair count in several of the study participants.
Pumpkin seed oil offers a natural and safe way for preventing hair loss. It also has a long list of other health benefits and no unwanted side effects.
How does pumpkin seed oil prevent/reduce hair loss?
There are number of components present in pumpkin seed oil that can assist in hair loss prevention.
Phytosterol beta-sitosterol
It contains phytosterol beta-sitosterol which lessens damage caused to the hair by the DHT by preventing the conversion of testosterone to DHT (Semalty, Semalty, Joshi, & Rawat, 2011).
Delta-7-sterol
Pumpkin seed oil contains a steroid called delta-7-sterol. This steroid competes against the same receptors in the hair follicle as that of DHT. As a result, DHT may be less likely to bind to hair follicle receptors and therefore less likely to cause hair loss.
Important minerals required for hair growth
Pumpkin seed oil contains minerals like magnesium and zinc. Both magnesium and zinc are among two essential minerals for skin and hair care. Zinc not only increases the thickness of hair but it also speeds up growth.
To conclude, various studies have shown that pumpkin seed oil could be helpful in improving AGA and it could be considered as a potential treatment for hair loss. Pumpkin seed oil is found to play an important role in hair loss by effecting testosterone and androgen in the body.

References

Cho, Y. H., Lee, S. Y., Jeong, D. W., & Choi, E. J. (2014). Effect of pumpkin seed oil on hair growth in men with androgenetic alopecia: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine 2014.
Semalty, M., Semalty, A., Joshi, G. P., & Rawat, M. (2011). Hair growth and rejuvenation: an overview. Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 22(3), 123-132.

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Redensyl for Hair Loss: Is This The Next Big Thing?

Redensyl may become a big player in the fight against hair loss, due to its regenerative active ingredients and its potential to yield satisfactory results within a short timeframe.
Redensyl targets the hair follicle stem cells in order to stimulate them. Its promponents claim it’s much more powerful than any other topical solution available.
How does Redensyl promote hair growth?

85% of the people participating in the project saw significant hair growth in under 3 months

Redensyl is made from molecules that target the outer root sheath cells (ORSc) and the hair follicle dermal papilla cells (HFDPc) at the same time.
ORSc are the hair follicle stem cells located in the bulge along the hair. These stem cells have certain characteristics: they are not as productive as other stem cells and not as adapted to improve the quality of the keratinocytes in order to maintain hair growth in the follicle.
The HFDPc are the fibroblasts located in the dermal papilla and people who experience hair loss also experience less efficient fibroblasts, which leads to a defective initiation of the anagen phase.
A hair follicle stem cell health booster

Another test based on self-evaluation showed that Redensyl 3% reduced hair loss, increased the strength and thickness of the hair and improved the capillary density in just three months of treatment adding +10,200 hairs on average

Redensyl products contain DHQG or dihydroquercetin-glucoside, a polyphenol that acts upon the stem cells located in the hair follicle. DHQG maintains their differentiation while helping them divide and protects them from cell death while initiating the anagen cycle. Furthermore DHQG has the characteristic of boosting the metabolism of the dermal papilla fibroblasts.
An anti-inflammatory
Redensyl contains EGCG-glucoside, which seems to reduce inflammation that often occurs in the scalps of people suffering hair loss.
Studies by Induchem

When comparing the Minoxidil 1% with Redensyl 1% the results showed twice as much hair growth with Redensyl

Induchem, a company producing Redensyl, conducted several studies to test its efficacy. In one study, human fibroblast dermal papilla cells were incubated for 48 hours and treated with dihydroquercetin-glucoside (DHQG), a modified form of polyphenol. When evaluated, the results showed that DHQG helps “activate the division of ORCs“.
Another study was conducted for EGCG-glucoside and showed that the product has an anti-irritation potential. This is important because irritated scalps are more prone to hair loss and some of the most effective topical anti-hair-loss products have scalp irritation as a major side effect.
Remarkable results on androgenetic alopecia
Redensyl was also studied on volunteers that were suffering from androgenetic alopecia and the results were quite remarkable. One surprise was the product works really fast: 85% of the people participating in the project saw significant hair growth in under 3 months. The results showed that new hair follicles increased by 9% while there was a 17% decrease of hair loss.
Another test based on self-evaluation showed that Redensyl 3% reduced hair loss, increased the strength and thickness of the hair and improved the capillary density in just three months of treatment adding +10,200 hairs on average. The volunteers declared that they were satisfied by the product and they would buy it (71%).
Redensyl vs Minoxidil
Another test that compared Redensyl 1% with Minoxidil 1% was conducted to evaluate the product’s potential on hair follicle growth. The product was tested on hair obtained from 4 male donors; after 7 and 10 days the hair growth increase was measured and the results showed 214% more hair growth compared with the control group. When comparing the Minoxidil 1% with Redensyl 1% the results showed twice as much hair growth with Redensyl.
Where can I get some Redensyl?!!!

The results show that the patients had an increase of 10.9% of hair when compared with their first visit

Redensyl is available to order online as part of the Redenhair treatment which contains a combination of elements, regenerating shampoos, oral supplements and the topical solution containing Redensyl. The Redenhair treatment has been clinically tested. The study was done to test the efficacy of Redenhair on 30 male participants suffering from alopecia 1 to 3 vertex.
The participants applied 2 pipets a day of topical solution and massaged their scalp. They also took 2 capsules/day of the oral supplement included in the Redenhair treatment. The results show that the patients had an increase of 10.9% of hair when compared with their first visit. They also had a decrease of the telogen phase of 10.9% at the end of the 3rd month of treatment.
Visually, the hair volume was improved gradually during the three months as follows: 10% more volume after the first month, 46.7% more volume after the second month and 66.7% more volume after the third month. The self-assessment questionaries’ showed that 80% of the participants considered the experience to be a positive one, considering it to be an easy to follow routine and an adequate treatment for hair loss, preferring it to their normal routine.
The patients also declared in the self-assessment questionnaires that they noticed a significant reduction in their hair loss, felt that their hair root was reinforced and the hair follicle had more strength, and they felt their hair was healthier.
To further attest its efficacy, The Innovation Zone Best Ingredient Award gave Redensyl the Silver Prize for not only creating a green product but also one with demonstrable results. The self-assessment tests and the results of the studies done on human patients show that Redensyl is not just an efficient hair loss treatment but also one with an easy routine to follow.
Buy Redensyl topical hair loss serum online
You can already buy this treatment quite cheaply on Amazon. Here are some of the most notable products:

References and further reading

http://truactivs.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/REDENSYL.pdf
http://www.nardev.com/UploadSection/ProdCat-276-1446515551.pdf
https://www.redenhair.com/en/content/15-redensyl
http://www.redenhair.com/img/cms/redenhair.pdf
http://www.induchem.com/news-home/redensyl-silver-award-at-in-cosmetics-2014/

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JAK Inhibitors for Hair Loss: A Breakthrough Cure?

JAK inhibitors, also known as Janus kinase inhibitors or jakinibs are medication developed to stop or decrease the activity of one or several of the Janus kinase family of enzymes. These inhibitors are mainly used to treat a number of conditions that range from inflammatory disease like rheumatoid arthritis to autoimmune diseases and even cancer.
Throughout the testing process, JAK inhibitors have also been effective in treating cases of alopecia areata as well as other types of alopecia. Further studies suggest that JAK inhibitors show huge potential for reversing hair loss, with some medical specialists considering them the “holy grail” of potential treatments. But before delving more into how JAK inhibitors may cure hair loss, let’s take a closer look at how they work.
How they work

researchers have observed that JAK inhibitors played a role in kick-starting enzymes in hair follicles that block hair in the dormant state of growth

JAK enzymes have numerous functions in the body, one of which has to do with the hair growth cycle. JAK inhibitors suppress the function of JAK enzymes, helping with inflammation down to cell level and providing a potential solution for hair loss. JAK inhibitors have been developed as a solution for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis but have also been used to aid or treat other inflammatory conditions. During trials for rheumatoid arthritis medication, researchers have observed that JAK inhibitors played a role in kick-starting enzymes in hair follicles that block hair in the dormant state of growth. (Shreberk-Hassidim R et al., 2017)
JAK Inhibitors for hair loss

The results were extremely promising with nine out of the twelve patients showing a whopping 92% hair regrowth by the end of the treatment

JAK inhibitors have shown the most promise when it comes to addressing alopecia areata, which is a significant step in the right direction as there is no FDA-approved treatment for the condition. The two drugs that hold most promise in providing relief are ruxolitinib and tofacitinib.
Ruxolitinib

A University of Columbia study (Mackay-Wiggan J. et al, 2016) looked into the effects of the oral JAK1/2 inhibitor ruxolitinib on 12 patients who suffered from moderate to severe cases of alopecia areata. Researchers administered 20mg of the substance, twice per day for a period of 3 to 6 months with an extra 3 months treatment with a follow-up off drug. The results were extremely promising with nine out of the twelve patients showing a whopping 92% hair regrowth by the end of the treatment. While the study’s results were overwhelmingly positive with basically no side-effects, larger, randomized studies are required to precisely determine the efficiency of ruxolitinib in treating alopecia areata.
Tofacitinib
Of the total 66 participants in the study, 32% experienced 50% or greater improvement in hair regrowth
Tofacitinib is another potential drug that aims to treat alopecia areata by using the pan-JAK inhibitor, tofacitinib citrate. A 2-center, open label, single arm trial was carried out by a team of researchers from universities such as Yale, Columbia and Stanford. The study used Tofacitinib 5mg which was administered twice a day for 3 months. Of the total 66 participants in the study, 32% experienced 50% or greater improvement in hair regrowth. The downside of the results showed that while the treatment was efficient, after drug cessation, the disease relapsed in under 9 weeks. Side-effects were minor and consisted of grade I and II infections in a few patients. While the drug was deemed safe and effective, the lack of a durable cure requires further development and testing. (Kennedy Crispin M et al., 2016)
Alopecia universalis is another condition where JAK inhibitors have shown promising results. Alopecia universalis is a rare but devastating condition, an aggravated form of alopecia areata that leads to total loss of hair on the scalp and body. (Islam N et al., 2015)
A Yale medical trial conducted by Dr. Brett A. King et al.(2014) found that Tofacitinib administered at a rate of 10mg per day completely reversed a case of alopecia universalis. The patient saw progress by the two month mark, with visible scalp and facial hair regrowth. A further three months therapy where the Tofacitinib dosage was increased to 15mg per day resulted in completely regrown scalp hair and visible eyebrows. By the end of the study at the eight month mark, the patient had completely recovered his scalp and bodily hair. The immensely promising results led Dr. Brett A. King to propose a clinical trial involving a tofacitinib topical solution.
JAK Inhibitors for Androgenic Alopecia (the most common form of hair loss)
some studies suggest that there might be untapped potential for JAK inhibitors
While alopecia areata and its more severe forms of alopecia universalis and alopecia totalis were in desperate need of a thoroughly tested and approved treatment, they constitute only a small percentage of all hair loss cases with androgenetic alopecia, also known as male pattern baldness, constituting the vast majority of cases.
When it comes to providing a solution to androgenetic alopecia, JAK inhibitors aren’t nearly as promising as their effects on alopecia areata.
Despite little known positive feedback when it comes to dealing with male pattern baldness, some studies suggest that there might be untapped potential for JAK inhibitors. In a study conducted on mice by Angela M. Christiano, one of the most ardent supporters of a JAK inhibitor solution for androgenetic alopecia, the inhibition of JAK-STAT signalling promoted hair growth. The study’s goal was to show the positive results of inhibition of JAK-STAT signalling for sufferers of alopecia areata. While results were satisfactory, the data also showed that the topical treatment of skin, both human as well as rodent, with small-molecule inhibitors of JAK-STAT resulted in the onset of anagen phase and subsequent hair growth cycle steps. During the study, Dr. Christiano and her team showed that JAK inhibition regulates the activation of key hair follicle populations while improving the inductivity of dermal papilla cells. (Christiano et al., 2015)
The promising results as well as Dr. Christiano’s research have led to Aclaris Therapeutics Inc. licensing a patent portfolio from Columbia University that aim to develop methods of using JAK inhibitors for the treatment of alopecia areata and adrogenetic alopecia as well as other dermatological conditions.
The portfolio is also made up of a U.S. patent which aims to develop methods of treating alopecia areata and androgentic alopecia as well as other hair loss disorders by administering ruxolitinib. Also included is a recently issued patent in Japan which is directed to pharmacetutical compositions made up of ruxolitinib, baricitinib as well as other JAK inhibitors with the goal of providing a treatment for androgenetic alopecia, alopecia areata and other hair loss disorders.
While research on JAK inhibitors as a solution for hair loss is still in its infancy, most studies suggest there is huge untapped potential. JAK inhibitors will most likely become one of the best ways to treat alopecia areata in the immediate future. Their role in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia is still being looked into, however, with numerous studies still being conducted and a topical solution being presently developed there is a good chance that they will play at least a role as an anti-inflammatory addition in hair loss treatment.

Janus kinase inhibitors in dermatology: A systematic review
Shreberk-Hassidim R., Ramot Y., Zlotogorski A. (2016) Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28169015
Kennedy Crispin, M., Ko, J. M., Craiglow, B. G., Li, S., Shankar, G., Urban, J. R., … King, B. A. (2016). Safety and efficacy of the JAK inhibitor tofacitinib citrate in patients with alopecia areata. JCI Insight, 1(15), e89776. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27699252
Kennedy Crispin, M., Ko, J. M., Craiglow, B. G., Li, S., Shankar, G., Urban, J. R., … King, B. A. (2016). Safety and efficacy of the JAK inhibitor tofacitinib citrate in patients with alopecia areata. JCI Insight, 1(15), e89776. http://doi.org/10.1172/jci.insight.89776
The autoimmune basis of alopecia areata: A comprehensive review
Autoimmunity Reviews, Volume 14, Issue 2, Pages 81-89
Naseeha Islam, Patrick S.C. Leung, Arthur C. Huntley, M. Eric Gershwin https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25315746
Killing two birds with one stone: Oral tofacitinib reverses alopecia universalis in a patient with plaque psoriasis
Craiglow B.G., King B.A. (2014) Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 134 (12) , pp. 2988-2990. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24940651
Harel, S., Higgins, C. A., Cerise, J. E., Dai, Z., Chen, J. C., Clynes, R., & Christiano, A. M. (2015). Pharmacologic inhibition of JAK-STAT signaling promotes hair growth. Science Advances, 1(9), e1500973. http://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.1500973 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4646834/

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Stem Cells for Hair Loss: The Next Breakthrough?

The advances in understanding the complex mechanisms behind hair loss as well as improvements in stem cell therapy may completely change the way we approach the treatment of hair loss.
Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that have the potential to become different cell types as well as regenerate tissues and organs. This unique characteristic makes them perfect tools in the treatment of degenerative diseases.

Hair follicle stem cells are among the most potent forms of stem cells in the human body

There are two types of stem cells: embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells. While embryonic stem cells can differentiate into any type of cells, the adult stem cells have some limitations.
The regeneration period of stem cells also depends on the type of organ stem cell. For example, in hair follicles and bone marrow, the stem cells divide frequently to replenish the damaged cells continuously throughout life. (Chen and Chong, 2012)
Hair Stem Cells

stem cells are activated by molecules released from intra-dermal fat tissue, hormones, neural activity, immune function and even the aging process

The hair follicle is a mini organ that supports various biological functions of the human body such as protecting from the cold and from injury as well as immunologic and sensory functions. Hair follicle stem cells are among the most potent forms of stem cells in the human body. Their diverse set of functions and ease of reproduction have made them one of the most popular choices when it comes to stem cell interventions such as the engineering of tissue for organ replacement or regenerative medicine. Their vast qualities and flexibility also explains why so much research and scientific literature has been devoted to studying their full potential.
Hair follicle stem cells are kicked into action by a number of signals that come from their micro-environment but also from far larger bodily functions. Stem cells that are located in hair follicles interact with signals from the dermal papilla. While outside the follicle, stem cells are activated by molecules released from intra-dermal fat tissue, hormones, neural activity, immune function and even the aging process. Even external factors like the changing of seasons can interact with the activity of hair follicle stem cells. Due to their regrnerative properties and adaptiveness to various environments hair cells were chosen to become the model for stem cell biology (Chen and Chong, 2012).
Hair Cloning

Shiseido and Replicel have combined forces in order to develop one of the most advanced treatments for hair loss

The history of stem cell therapy for hair growth started with a company called Intercytex. Researchers tried to clone new hair follicles that were grown from the stem cells harvested from the back of the head. Their Phase 2 trials showed promising results in two thirds of their patients as they grew new hair after the stem cell treatment. Unfortunately, the company went out of business after the Phase 3 trials didn’t go as expected.
In the last 3 years, more and more companies have announced their clinical trials for stem cell hair loss treatments.
The major research teams developing treatments using stem cells are Replicel-Shiseido and Riken. The other new stem cell treatment that is already available is the HASCI method developed by Dr. Gho.
Shiseido and Replicel

Shiseido and Replicel have combined forces in order to develop one of the most advanced treatments for hair loss. They propose the use of dermal sheath cup cells that have been isolated from the hair follicle. Replicel’s hair growth treatment, known as RCH-01 works by re-injecting a person’s own hair follicle cells into parts of the scalp. The cells are removed from healthy hair follicles and cultured into a growth medium that replicates them. After the culturing process is done the cells are injected into the scalp.
Shiseido is a Japanese company that obtained the rights to develop RCH-01. Moreover, the company is working on a new regenerative technique that uses iPS cells. Currently, Shiseido is undergoing clinical trials for Replicel’s RCH-01 in Japan at Tokyo Medical University Hospital and Toho University Ohasi Medical Center under the guidance of Dr. Tsuboi and Niiyama and has an estimated market release in 2018. The product will be manufactured by the Shiseido facility in Kobe.
Tsujji-Riken Organ Technologies
Tsuji-Riken Organ Technologies research led by Dr. Takashi Tsuji is also creating and researching a cure for hair loss that involves stem cells. The researchers are known for their successes in regenerating other body parts such as teeth, glands, and hair follicles by using a process called the Primordium method.

The researchers remove a small patch of skin and hair follicles form the patient’s scalp and isolate and extract the follicles to be cultivated. After they have been cultivated and multiplied the cells are processed and turned into follicles using the Primordium method and injected into the scalp.
The method requires bioengineering that would allow them to accurately transport and inject the cells into the scalp so the company is working with Kyocera in order to produce the equipment needed for this procedure.
The HASCI method
The HASCI method is already available.
The Hair Science Institute researches advanced hair transplantation and multiplication methods in its various clinics in Amsterdam, London, Maastricht, Jakarta and Cap d’Antibes. The method was developed by the research team lead by Coen Gho and they are focusing on continually improving its efficiency.
The method does not remove the entire hair follicle, but only a portion of it along with the stem cells it contains. Studies performed by Dr. Gho hve shown that this is enough to produce new hair in both areas (donor and receptor).(Gho and Norman, 2015). This means that the partial follicle left in the donor area will produce growth whereas in traditional hair transplantation methods the donor area couldn’t be used again. The stem cells are then placed in a medium that will stimulate further growth. (Gho and Neuman, 2014)
The method also works for patients who experienced hair loss after burning accidents (Gho and Neuman, 2011) and allows for a natural look and quick recovery (5-7 days). The full result can be seen after 9 months, when the hair growth cycle is completed.
Due to the diverse techniques that are being developed, there isn’t a single approach to stem cell therapy, as each researcher is in the process of developing not only their own treatment approach but also their own tools. Stem cell therapy is superior to other types of hair loss therapies due to its minimally invasive approach as well as little to no side effects. Due to being a non-surgical approach with minimal to no scarring, stem cell treatment may becomne the favoured approach to hair restoration. Many of the traditional forms of hair loss therapies such as DHT blockers not only have side effects but also have to be used daily and indefinitely. Stem Cell Therapy also improves the quality and texture of hair in long term and effects are noticed much faster than with other types of hair loss treatments.
Plant Stem Cells
Plants also have stem cells that behave very much like hair fibre stem cells, with impulses from their surrounding microenvironment dictating their activity and function. Unlike human stem cells though, plant stem cells can be totipotent, which means they have the power to regenerate an entire plant not just an element or part of a plant.
Stem cells from plants can also be used to improve human hair, particularly due to the properties that keep fruit fresh for long periods of time. In fact, the most important, research based approach to improving the condition of hair through plant derived stem cells has been achieved with the help of the Uttwiler Spätlauber apple tree. Malus Domestica is a cosmetic ingredient that is derived from stem cells harvested from the Swiss apple tree.
The stem cells extracted from this hearty tree that have been combined with human derived stem cells have resulted in a far more resistant stem cell product, even when subjected to extremely harsh conditions and UV light (Schmidt et al). The apple derived extract didn’t just offer protection from UV light and growth maintenance to human stem cells but also delayed cell deterioration and postponed the hair follicle’s death.
The research done on plant stem cells is still in its infancy; however, it shows promise as an important addition to classic stem cell treatment for hair loss and provides important benefits that will make any future products more efficient.

References

https://www.worldwidehealth.com/health-article-The-Future-of-Hair-Restoration.html
Chen, C.-C., & Chuong, C. M. (2012). Multi-layered environmental regulation on the homeostasis of stem cells: The saga of hair growth and alopecia. Journal of Dermatological Science, 66(1), 3–11. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdermsci.2012.02.007
Mistriotis, P., & Andreadis, S. T. (2013). Hair Follicle: A Novel Source of Multipotent Stem Cells for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine.Tissue Engineering. Part B, Reviews, 19(4), 265–278. http://doi.org/10.1089/ten.teb.2012.0422
RCH-01 – Hair Regeneration

http://global.kyocera.com/news/2016/0702_nfid.html
Gho C.G, Neumann H.A.M, Advances in Hair Transplantation: Longitudinal Partial Follicular Unit Transplantation, Ioannides D, Tosti A (eds): Alopecias – Practical Evaluation and Management. Curr Probl Dermatol. Basel, Karger, 2015, vol 47, pp 150-157 (DOI:10.1159/000369416)
Gho, C. G., & Neumann, H. A. M. (2013). The Influence of Preservation Solution on the Viability of Grafts in Hair Transplantation Surgery. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open, 1(9), e90. http://doi.org/10.1097/GOX.0000000000000032
Gho, C. G., & Neumann, H. A. M. (2011) Improved hair restoration method for burns, Burns , Volume 37 , Issue 3 , 427 – 433
http://www.hasci.com/treatment/treatment-step-step
http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0116892
https://mibellebiochemistry.com/app/uploads/2015/03/PCT-Malus-Domestica_Plant_Stem_Cell_Extract_for_Longevity_of_Skin_and_Hair_SOEFW_05_08.pdf

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Increase Scalp PGE2 (and Decrease PGD2): The Cure for Hair Loss?

The precise cause of male pattern baldness has been discussed and researched for decades. But only in recent years have we started to pinpoint preceisely what causes the vast majority of hair loss. And we’re getting close…
there is more PGD2 in the scalps of bald men than in the scalps of men with hair
There have been speculations that reducing scalp DHT may be the key to curing hair loss but recent discoveries show that ‘prostaglandin D2’ might be just as important, or perhaps more so.
A paper from 2012 (Garza et al.) made the connection between prostaglandin D2 (PDG2) and hair loss, concluding that PGD2 might be the real key to curing androgenic alopecia. However, new research shows that increasing PGE2 (another prostaglandin found in the scalp) might be just as important in curing baldness and maintaining healthy hair.
The paper states (Garza et al. 2012) that there is more PGD2 in the scalps of bald men than in the scalps of men with hair. Clearly there is a link, but is it a causal link?
To sum it up in plain English and simplify:
High scalp PGD2 = hair loss
High scalp PGE2 = hair growth
Does decreasing scalp PGD2 and increasing scalp PGE2 cause hair to regrow?
In order to decrease PGD2 researchers tested COX1/COX2 inhibitors that also inhibited the production of PGE2, which shows that inhibiting PGD2 isn’t enough for a complete treatment and a dual approach to increase PGE2 and decrease PGD2 should be more efficacious.
The beneficial effects of PGE2 can be seen in a series of research papers. For example, Malkinson et al. (1993) have shown that prostaglandins, especially topical applications of PGE2 make for good radio-protective agents.
After the administration of topical applications of PGE2 Malkinson’s team saw that the areas were protected from radiation but also that there was an enhanced post-radiation hair regrowth.
Another study has found that elevated PGE2 levels in mice helped with tissue regeneration and it may help with hair regeneration. (Zhang et al.2015)
Anyone up to date with the latest research sees the link between PGE2 and baldness so the logical question is, how do we increase PGE2 in the scalp?
Increasing PGE2
Synthetic PGE2 Powder
You can buy synthetic PGE2 powder that contains the most biologically active prostaglandin and it’s used by scientists in various experiments. There is no standardized medical protocol for applying PGE2 powder to the scalp but there are studies showing topical application of PGE2 for treating vitiligo (a skin condition characterized by patches of pale color) by using a gel with high skin permeation that contains PGE2. (Kapoor et al. 2008; Parsad et al.2002) Synthetic PGE2 has a potency of 0.25-100 ng/mL and can be bought online.
Bimatoprost

Bimatoprost, also known as Latisse, is an effective treatment for intraocular pressure and glaucoma in adults. Researchers have proposed this drug for hair loss treatment and early stage trials seem promising. The drug thickens and lengthens the eyelashing by increasing PGE2 and PGF2 so in theory, the treatment should have similar effects in the scalp.
the treatment had amazing effects: the hair follicles stayed in anagen significantly longer and in vivo showed one third more hair growth
A huge upside to this treatment is that there are almost no side effects and since it can be applied topically by the patient it is easy to use at home. There was recent clinical trial (late 2016) to develop this into a marketed hair loss treatment. (Allergan 2016)
Previous studies have shown that the drug can grow human hair in vitro and mouse hair in vivo and the treatment had amazing effects: the hair follicles stayed in anagen significantly longer and in vivo showed one third more hair growth with bimatoprost treatment. (Karzan et al. 2013)
The results of the clinical trials on humans have shown that Bimatoprost 1% and Bimatoprost 3% result in superior hair growth when comparing the results with Minoxidil 5% results but further research on more people needs to be completed to provide stronger support for these statements. In any case, this shows that Bimatoprost might be the next big hair loss treatment.
Ginger root
its potential to increase PGE2 has been shown in studies
Ginger is a herbaceous perennial plant, which is a common ingredient in Asian cuisine. Ginger root has been a traditional Asian remedy for hair loss, and even though its effects on the human scalp haven’t been properly researched its potential to increase PGE2 has been shown in studies. Research shows that the plant has an anti-inflammatory effect and increases PGE2 (Shivanad, 2005) (Joland 2004).
A research on the effects of powdered ginger on the PGE2 levels in the gastric mucus production, scientists used aspirin to inhibit PGE2 production in the gastric mucus but when ginger was administered, the aspirin failed to inhibit PGE2 production. Also, when only ginger root was administered the mucus showed elevated levels of PGE2. (Wang et al., 2011)
So we have some pretty reasonable evidence that ginger increases PGE2 and may therefore be a useful topical.
Sulfasalazine
their hair had regrown after long term baldness
Sulfasalazine is an anti-inflammatory drug used for rheumatoid arthritis, colitis or Crohn’s disease. The drug is known to increase PGE2 (Wittenberg et al., 1991; Sharon et al., 1978; ) Several case reports of people taking sulfasalazine for one of the illnesses above noticed their hair had regrown after long term baldness.
An uncontrolled study of sulfasalazine in 39 patients with alopecia areata showed that sulfasalazine increased hair regrowth of more than 60% in 25.6% of the patients who participated in the study while 30.7% of the patients had a moderate response to the drug. (Rashidi and Mahd, 2008)

6 of them (6 of 22 patients) achieving complete hair regrowth

Another study that used sulfasalazine as a hair loss treatment was conducted on 26 patients during a period of 3 years and according to the results, the patients were grouped into 3 categories: no hair regrowth

What’s the Best Treatment for a Receding Hairline?

A receding hairline is often the most recognizable sign of hair loss. It affects millions of people worldwide. As such it’s been the focus of numerous studies and treatment options. From topical treatments to a stem cell approach or the Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors there seem to be a number of solutions that have been scientifically proven to help in some cases with a receding hairline.
What causes a receding hairline?
The most common cause of a receding hairline is androgenetic alopecia also known as male pattern baldness. It is a general consensus in the academic community that most androgenetic alopecia cases come from a genetic predisposition which is caused by a by-product of testosterone which is called dihydrotestosterone or DHT a type 2 5α-reductase. DHT attaches itself to hair follicles and causes them to become thinner over time, until some stop growing altogether.
Best treatnments for a receding hairline
Stem Cell Therapy

the treatment could induce hair growth or even help reverse hair loss, including receding hairlines

One of the most promising approaches to treating a receding hairline comes from stem cell therapy. While not yet available as an FDA approved treatment, three recent studies suggest a very promising solution for recovering hair lost to alopecia. Kandiba and Kobielak (2014) looked at stem cells in hair follicles and concluded that they are controlled by two signalling pathways called BMP and Wnt. The interaction between the pathways dictates when hair grows, stops growing and falls out. Kandiba et al. (2012) mainly focused on the role of Wnt pathways in hair growth. By increasing levels of Wnt signalling, the study suggests, the treatment could induce hair growth or even help reverse hair loss, including receding hairlines.
In a similar study, Kandiba et al. (2014) looked into the BMP pathway, clarifying its function by better understanding and describing proteins like Smad1 and Smad5 which transmit instructions to hair follicle stem cells.
While further research is required to develop a course of treatment, stem cell therapy can prove an efficient way to deal with all forms of hair loss and, indirectly, with a receding hairline.
JAK Inhibitors

Another potential treatment that could have a significant impact on receding hairlines and hair loss is Janus Kinase (JAK) inhibitors. The treatment works by blocking certain enzymes in hair follicles that lay in a resting state. By blocking said enzymes, hair growth can be restored on any part of the scalp, not just on the vertex as other topical treatments have achieved. This makes this course of treatment one of the most promising in terms of halting a receding hairline and restoring hair growth.
A Christiano et al. (2015) study published in the Journal of Science Advances showed that the drugs that inhibit Janus kinase enzymes can also help with rapid growth of hair when applied directly on the scalp. Currently, the FDA has approved 2 JAK inhibitors, ruxolitinib, which is used as a treatment for blood diseases and tofacitinib, which is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis.
There is still more research needed to find the exact effect JAK inhibitors have on hair follicles and to determine the exact formula for scalp usage, however, early testing suggests that it may be one of the most effective solutions in terms of dealing with a receding hairline.
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)

research showed that hair count increased from an average of 71 hair follicles to 93 hair follicles with an average mean gain of 22.09 follicles per square centimetre
Platelet-Rich Plasma therapy is a relatively new treatment for hair loss, but is becoming increasingly available in clinics around the world. The science behind the treatment is based on the clotting capabilities of platelet rich plasma, which is basically a high concentration of platelets found in the blood. The platelets release a series of bioactive proteins with significant regenerative capabilities. These proteins have been proven to help with the regrowth of hair in the areas they are injected in.
A study conducted by Gentile, et al. (2015) showed a 31 percent increase in the follicle density of participants over a period of 2 months. The research also concluded that of the 20 participants none had experienced any significant side effects.

Another study conducted by Khatu, et al. (2014) showed that after just four PRP injections a significant reduction in hair loss was observed. The same research showed that hair count increased from an average of 71 hair follicles to 93 hair follicles with an average mean gain of 22.09 follicles per square centimetre. The study concluded that PRP injections prove a feasible, effective and cost effective treatment for androgenetic alopecia.
PRP’s potential for combating a receding hairline has also been proven when it comes to alopecia areata. In a study conducted by Taieb, et al. (2016), PRP injections were compared to the FDA approved topical solution minoxidil 5%, one of the most often prescribed non-invasive solutions for alopecia. The study’s 90 participants were split into three groups, two being administered minoxidil 5% and PRP injections while a third was administered placebo treatment.

The study suggested that while both PRP injections and minoxidil 5% showed significantly better results than the placebo group, PRP injections produced an earlier response for hair regrowth, a reduction in short vellus hair as well as a reduction in dystrophic hair. The research concluded that PRP injections proved to be a more effective treatment for alopecia areata. The topical nature of PRP injections also suggests that if Alopecia Areata would affect the frontal scalp, PRP injections would be an efficient treatment course.
Conclusions
A receding hairline is one of the most visible symptoms of hair loss, however, there are solutions that can help stop its advance and even promote hair regrowth. A huge amount of research is also being done on how to treat a receding hairline and hair loss as a whole, and whether through Stem Cell Therapy or via JAK inhibitors, future treatments seem to hold the key to combating one of the most visible signs of baldness.

References and further reading

Eve Kandyba, Krzysztof Kobielak – Wnt7b Is an Important Intrinsic Regulator of Hair Follicle Stem Cell Homeostasis and Hair Follicle Cycling, 2014 – Stem Cells Journal – http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/stem.1599/abstract;jsessionid=05B151BAC91A5CCCF4965BDD93960DFA.f04t03
Eve Kandybaa, Yvonne Leunga, Yi-Bu Chenb, Randall Widelitzc, Cheng-Ming Chuongc, and
Krzysztof Kobielaka – Competitive balance of intrabulge BMP/Wnt signaling reveals a robust gene network ruling stem cell homeostasis and cyclic activation, 2012 – Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences – http://www.pnas.org/content/110/4/1351
Eve Kandyba, Virginia M. Hazen, Agnieszka Kobielak, Samantha J. Butler, Krzysztof Kobielak – Smad1 and 5 but Not Smad8 Establish Stem Cell Quiescence Which Is Critical to Transform the Premature Hair Follicle During Morphogenesis Toward the Postnatal State, 2014 – Stem Cells Journal – http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/stem.1548/abstract
Sivan Harel, Claire A. Higgins,J ane E. Cerise, Zhenpeng Dai, James C. Chen, Raphael Clynes, Angela M. Christiano – Pharmacologic inhibition of JAK-STAT signalling promotes hair growth, 2015 – Journal Science Advances – http://advances.sciencemag.org/content/advances/1/9/e1500973.full.pdf
Pietro Gentile, Simone Garcovich, Alessandra Bielli, Maria Giovanna Scioli, Augusto Orlandi and Valerio Cervellia – The Effect of Platelet-Rich Plasma in Hair Regrowth: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial, 2015 – Stem Cells Translational Medicine – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4622412/
Swapna S Khatu, Yuvraj E More, Neeta R Gokhale, Dipali C Chavhan, and Nitin Bendsure – Platelet-Rich Plasma in Androgenic Alopecia: Myth or an Effective Tool, 2014 – Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4134641/
El Taieb, Ibrahim, Nada, Seif Al-Din – Platelets rich plasma versus minoxidil 5% in treatment of alopecia areata: A trichoscopic evaluation, 2016 – Wiley Online Library – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27791311

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Topical Saw Palmetto for Hair Loss: Read This Before Trying

Saw Palmetto is one of the most popular natural treatments for hair loss and with just a quick search online you can see thousands of articles about it. But does it really work? Is there any science backing up the cult following surrounding this plant?
Saw Palmetto (serenoa repens) is actually a palm tree in the Arecaceae family and also comes with the name sabal or palmera de Florida. Studies have shown that saw palmetto has similar properties to finasteride, a drug used for enlarged prostate and more an dmore, for hair loss.
Saw Palmetto vs Finasteride

the saw palmetto group experienced a distinct increase in hair growth

A study showed that men receiving saw palmetto had moderate response to the treatment versus men receiving finasteride. Even though the finasteride effect was higher, the study concluded that the saw palmetto induced suppression was statistically significant. (Marks et al.,2001)
Another study (Rossi et al., 2012) was conducted to determine how effective saw palmetto was for hair loss prevention and compared its effects with finasteride. The researchers used 100 male patients that were diagnosed with mild to moderate androgenetic alopecia. The patients were split into two groups, one received saw palmetto(320 mg) and the other received finasteride (1mg).
The researchers concluded that the saw palmetto group experienced a distinct increase in hair growth. When compared with the finasteride group, those treated with saw palmetto didn’t have spectacular results. Another difference between the two was the fact that finasteride acted both in the front area and the vertex while saw palmetto acted mostly in the vertex.
Although both studies show that finasteride is superior when it comes to treating hair loss, the fact that saw palmetto’s results are comparable with the drug is noteworthy. The mechanism behind saw palmetto’s effects on the scalp was not conclusive and further study was required to see exactly how saw palmetto works.
How does saw palmetto reduce hair loss?
The extract that is often used as a hair loss treatment is produced from the fruits of the plant which contain a wide array of beneficial elements: flavonoids, fatty acids, plant sterols, etc., which may account for the effects saw palmetto has on the scalp. Studies show that these compounds have anti-inflammatory effects, antioxidant effects, improve blood circulation and some have been researched as successful DHT blockers.
Flavonoids in Saw Palmetto
Saw palmetto contains various flavonoids such as: rutin, isoquercitrin, kaempferol 3-O-glucoside, apigenin 7-O-rhamnoglucoside and anthranilic acid. Some of these flavonoids can have significant benefits for hair and skin. For example, rutin is used as an anti-inflammatory drug in patients with osteoarthritis and it has been shown to improve blood circulation and can be used as an anti-thrombotic and anticoagulant;(Choi et al.,2015) this may help improve circulation in the scalp and nourish the hair follicle.
There’s even a direct link between rutin and hair follicle health. A study (Carelli et al., 2012) on the hair follicle regression focused on the activation of apoptosis (cell death) in the hair follicle cells. The researchers used a combination of rutin, spermidine and zeaxanthin on hair cells and noticed that the cells treated with this combination preserved their anti-apoptotic molecules, concluding that these agents might be an effective treatment for hair bulb regression.
Another flavonoid contained by saw palmetto that may be beneficial to your hair’s health is Kaemferol, which has been considered a powerful anti-inflammatory compound and antioxidant. (Chen and Chen 2013) Furthermore, Kaemferol can be used to improve blood circulation and remove blood stasis (Yu et al., 2013), which may account for Saw Palmetto’s potential effects on promoting hair growth.
Apigenin, another flavonoid in Saw Palmetto is also known as a good anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent (Karamese et al., 2016), so both these flavonoids may help with the treatment of folliculitis and reducing inflammation of the scalp.
Phytosterols in Saw Palmetto
The beta sitosterol in saw palmetto is similar to cholesterol in its chemical structure and may be one of the ingredients in the plant that help most in the treatment of hair loss. It is used as a prevention method and in the management of a multitude of illnesses, from cancer to allergies.
Saw Palmetto is a DHT Blocker
A study in 2002 used 5-alpha reductase inhibitors such as liposterolic extract from saw palmetto and beta-sitosterol to see whether they work in the treatment of Androgenetic alopecia. The results of the study showed a great response to the treatment as 60% of the patients showed improvements. The authors believe that the beta-sitosterols and the liposterolic extract from the saw palmetto may work in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia as a DHT blocker via the enzyme 5-alpha reductase.(Prager et al.,2002)
Another study hypothesized that targeting 5AR as well as inflammatory pathways may have positive effects in AGA and benign prostatic hyperplasia, both being treated with 5-alpha reductase inhibitors such as finasteride. After testing hair follicle dermal papilla cells and prostate cells in vitro by exposing them to stigmasterol and beta sitosterol the authors concluded that the naturally derived 5-alpha reductase inhibitors represent a good approach in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia and benign prostatic hyperplasia. (Chen et al.,2016)
There’s another study that confirms the results of using stigmasterol and beta sitosterol isolated from plants as anti-inflammatory compounds (Gomez et al.,1999). The study was performed on rats with induced ear edema by using a topical solution and measuring the effect it had on their skin. The inflammation was reduced depending on the amount used in the ear with authors concluding that beta sitosterols and stimasterols are good anti-inflammatory agents when applied topically in acute inflammation.
Saw Palmetto’s Fatty Acids
It has been hypothesized that the fatty acids in saw palmetto may also contribute in inhibiting 5-alpha reductase and studies have shown their efficacy in benign prostatic hyperplasia (Horacio et al.,2011), which may suggest their effect as DHT blockers. Saw Palmetto’s fatty acids that may have effects on the scalp are lauric acid and oleic acid.
A study in 2009(Abe et al.) concluded that the major constituents of Saw Palmetto Extract, lauric acid, oleic acid, mysritic acid and linoleic acid inhibit 5AR activity. These fatty acids may contribute to inhibiting DHT in the scalp when using topical saw palmetto extract or liposterolic supplements and may account for the similar effects saw palmetto has with finasteride.
Saw Palmetto seems like a promising treatment with few to no side effects. It is already available and can be used by anyone as a liposterolic extract in capsules, a liquid extract or can be consumed as tea. However, those who want to get the benefits of the plant’s fatty acids should know that they are not soluble in water and by consuming it as tea they might miss on some of its beneficial effects.

References and further reading

Marks, Leonard S et al. Tissue effects of saw palmetto and finasteride: use of biopsy cores for in situ quantification of prostatic androgens, Urology , Volume 57 , Issue 5 , 999 – 1005 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11337315
Rossi A, Mari E, Scarno M, Garelli V, Maxia C, Scali E, Iorio A, Carlesimo M. Comparitive effectiveness of finasteride vs Serenoa repens in male androgenetic alopecia: a two-year study. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol. 2012 Oct-Dec;25(4):1167-73. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23298508
Jun-Hui Choi, Dae-Won Kim, Se-Eun Park, Hyo-Jeong Lee, Ki-Man Kim, Kyung-Je Kim, Myung-Kon Kim, Sung-Jun Kim, Seung Kim, Anti-thrombotic effect of rutin isolated from Dendropanax morbifera Leveille, Journal of Bioscience and Bioengineering, Volume 120, Issue 2, August 2015, Pages 181-186, ISSN 1389-1723, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiosc.2014.12.012. (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1389172314004915)
http://www.botanical-online.com/english/rutin_properties.htm
h Carelli, S., Hebda, D. M., Traversa, M. V., Messaggio, F., Giuliani, G., Marzani, B., Benedusi, A., Di Giulio, A. M. and Gorio, A. (2012), A specific combination of zeaxanthin, spermidine and rutin prevents apoptosis in human dermal papilla cells. Exp Dermatol, 21: 953–955. doi:10.1111/exd.12029 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23088714
Chen, A. Y., & Chen, Y. C. (2013). A review of the dietary flavonoid, kaempferol on human health and cancer chemoprevention. Food Chemistry, 138(4), 2099–2107. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2012.11.139 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3601579/
Victoria García-Mediavilla, Irene Crespo, Pilar S. Collado, Alejandro Esteller, Sonia Sánchez-Campos, María J. Tuñón, Javier González-Gallego, The anti-inflammatory flavones quercetin and kaempferol cause inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2 and reactive C-protein, and down-regulation of the nuclear factor kappaB pathway in Chang Liver cells, European Journal of Pharmacology, Volume 557, Issues 2–3, 28 February 2007, Pages 221-229, ISSN 0014-2999, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ejphar.2006.11.014.(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0014299906012659)
Murat Karamese, Huseyin Serkan Erol, Mevlut Albayrak, Gulname Findik Guvendi, Emsal Aydin, and Selina Aksak Karamese Anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of apigenin in a rat model of sepsis: an immunological, biochemical, and histopathological study Immunopharmacology And Immunotoxicology Vol. 38 , Iss. 3,2016 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27144896
Prager N, Bickett K, French N, Marcovici G. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to determine the effectiveness of botanically derived inhibitors of 5-alpha-reductase in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia. J Altern Complement Med. 2002 Apr;8(2):143-52. Erratum in: J Altern Complement Med. 2006 Mar;12(2):199. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12006122
Chen, L., Wang, J., Mouser, G., Li, Y. C., and Marcovici, G. (2016) Blockade of Androgen Markers Using a Novel Betasitosterol, Thioctic Acid and Carnitine-containing Compound in Prostate and Hair Follicle Cell-based Assays. Phytother. Res., 30: 1016–1020. doi: 10.1002/ptr.5611. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26990224
Gómez MA, Sáenz MT, García MD, Fernández MA., Study of the topical anti-inflammatory activity of Achillea ageratum on chronic and acute inflammation models. Z Naturforsch C. 1999 Nov;54(11):937-41.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10627992
Priestap, H.A., Quirke, J.M.E., Houle, P. et al. Chem Nat Compd (2011) 47: 511. doi:10.1007/s10600-011-9983-4 http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10600-011-9983-4
Masayuki Abe, Yoshihiko Ito, Luvsandorj Oyunzul, Tomomi Oki-Fujino, , Shizuo Yamada, Pharmacologically Relevant Receptor Binding Characteristics and 5α-Reductase Inhibitory Activity of Free Fatty Acids Contained in Saw Palmetto Extract – Department of Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics and Global Center of Excellence (COE) Program, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19336899/

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Lysine for hair loss: how this amino acid makes hair grow

Lysine or L-Lysine is an essential amino-acid.
A lysine deficiency is linked to a multitude of health problems; from anemia to hair loss.
One of the main arguments that Lysine is a suitable treatment for hair loss is due to its restorative properties on the hair follicle. Research shows that people with insufficient lysine in their diet might be at risk of hair breakage, reduced hair growth and, ultimately, hair loss.
Blocking 5-alpha Reductase

fewer cases of male pattern baldness in Asians might be due to their diet being rich in L-Lysine

It seems that Lysine is associated with blocking the enzyme 5-alpha reductase — an enzyme which converts testosterone to DHT, which causes male-patterned baldness. Lysine also helps strengthen hair cells due to its role in the absorption of calcium, which has an essential role in creating collagen for hair, skin, or nails.
Rushton et al. (2002) reports that a major cause of hair loss before the age of 50 in women is related to nutrition, which may cause baldness in 30% of women. This is mostly due to the lack of iron combined with low levels of L-lysine and correcting these imbalances may stop excessive hair loss and even regrow hair that has been lost.
One of the studies that spiked interest in using Lysine for hair loss was when researchers (Anwar et al. 1997) observed that male pattern baldness was less common in Asians than Americans. They analysed the standard diets of American men and compared it with the standard diet of Asian men and concluded that the fewer cases of male pattern baldness in Asians might be due to their diet being rich in L-Lysine, which affected 5-alpha-reductase.
Reducing Cortisol (Stress Hormone) Levels
Another way Lysine may be connected with hair loss is by reducing cortisol levels. (Smriga et al.,2007) Many of the people experiencing hair loss, might not be genetically predisposed to it because one of the main causes of hair loss is experiencing stress and anxiety. People who deal with stress badly may have low levels of Lysine and high levels of cortisol, both of which may accelerate hair loss.

See also: Best Supplements for Anxiety for ways of reducing your cortisol levels

A study on males from Japan showed that people can decrease their stress and anxiety by taking L-lysine and L-arginine orally. The supplementation worked by decreasing the levels of salivary cortisol and chromogranin.
People who are experiencing hormonal hair loss have high levels of cortisol. Due to the fact that Lysine appears to lower cortisol there seems to be another link between Lysine levels in the human body and hair loss.
A Clear Link Between Lysine and Hair Growth
Studies on animals showed that lysine may be the key to better hair. Wool follicles and fibres of pre-ruminant lambs that were fed a diet containing little lysine experienced abnormalities such as: incomplete keratinisation, distortion of fibres and partial degradation in the distal parts of the follicles. When the animals were returned on a diet rich in lysine, their hair structure improved rapidly, but abnormalities were still observed in older fibres. (Chapman et al., 1983)
Strong Indications Lysine Prevents Female Hair Loss

subjects receiving treatment experienced a 31% reduction in the amount of hair shed

One of the most important studies on the effects of lysine on hair loss was a double blind and placebo controlled study on 12 women suffering from chronic telogen effluvium. 7 of the women participating in the study received 72 mg of iron and 1.5 g of L-lysine daily for a 6 months treatment while 5 of the women received placebo.
The results showed that the women receiving a treatment of iron and L-lysine had their serum ferritin concentration increased. Also, subjects receiving treatment experienced a 31% reduction in the amount of hair shed compared with a 9% increase in the placebo group (Kantor et al., 2003).

See also: Iron for Hair Growth: A Complete Guide

Lysine Lengthens the Hair Growth Stage
Rushton et al. studied 22 women who were given a treatment of 72 mg of iron and 1.5 grams of L-lysine. The women were followed for 6 months and the study showed that the telogen phase of their hair significantly decreased from 19.5% to 11.3%. The telogen phase of the hair is when the hair stops growing, rests and then falls. This phase is significantly longer in people who are experiencing hair loss. The authors concluded that L-lysine and iron supplements seem to correct alopecia that is caused by iron and lysine, especially in the case of women who suddenly suffer from hair loss, and this is sometimes due to a nutrient deficiency caused by hormonal change.
Lysine for Male Pattern Baldness

There were statistically significant differences between the groups receiving treatment and the placebo group

In a study showing the efficacy of a Complex of 5-Aminolevulinic Acid and Glycyl-Histidyl-Lysine Peptide on male pattern hair loss was conducted on 45 patients. The first group was treated with ALAVAX 100mg, the substance mentioned earlier, the second group was treated with ALAVAX 50mg while the third group received a placebo. The treatment lasted for 6 months and the patients were evaluated with the following results: hair count was 52.6 (p