As the suggested molecular mechanism of PRP (platelet-rich-plama) and micro-needling is very similar in terms of inducing growth factors, one can hypothesise that micro-needling can be a non-invasive alternative to PRP. Our previous ‘Insights’ article on PRP highlighted what Platelet-rich Plasma is. As PRP treatment involves injecting platelet rich plasma (derived from ones blood) in … Read more
Micro-needling (MN) is a cosmetic procedure where sterile needles are used to create microscopic punctures in the skin by using a micro-needling device. These microscopic punctures cause inflammation. For the skin to heal, cells in the skin release molecules that help in producing collagen, elastin and growth factors which rejuvenate the skin. Micro-needling is also … Read more
One holy grail of the hair loss world would be the ability to grow artificial hair in the lab. A team of researchers in Japan’s Yokohama National University (reported in Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology ) grew hair follicles in the lab for the first time. In mammals, hair follicles are produced by the dividing … Read more
Genetic hair loss is also known as androgenetic alopecia. In this type of hair loss, androgens particularly Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) play a huge role in hair loss together with ones genes. These genes can be inherited from either side of the family; both from the mother’s and father’s side of the family and the greater the … Read more
Acupuncture is the practice of applying needles to target specific pressures points in the body. Since originating in China, acupuncture has been practiced for thousands of years to treat numerous conditions. There haven’t been many good scientific studies to categorically show whether acupuncture works in treating hair loss or not. An article published in Frontiers … Read more
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are widely used anti-depressants. Some of the common ones are Fluoxetine, Sertraline, Citalopram amongst others. One of the rare side effects listed of these SSRIs is alopecia (hair loss). The exact prevalence of hair loss with SSRI treatment has not been determined as it is difficult to quantify. It is … Read more
Dermatologists do not prescribe Aminexil to treat hair loss due to lack of robust clinical trials and therefore, it is not in their list of treatments to treat hair loss. Aminexil is a a synthetic compound that has some structural similarity with the Minoxidil molecule. It is added to cosmetics products that claim treatment for … Read more
A recent study published in April 2023 in the science journal PNAS found that by increasing a specific type of microRNA (miR-205) in hair stem cells could help in increasing hair growth and regeneration. In susceptible people, hair follicles get ‘stiffer’ over time leading to androgenetic hair loss. According to researchers, induction of the miR-205 … Read more
Scalp micro-pigmentation is a form of camouflage for the scalp done by creating dotted scalp tattoos in the affected bald area. This dotted effect results in the scalp having a ‘stubble’ hair look and can mask bald patches giving the illusion of very short hair. In scalp micro-pigmentation (SMP), a micro droplet of pigment is … Read more
Seasonal hair shedding is a form of telogen effluvium that occurs in some individuals at least once a year. The main time for seasonal shedding in the year occurs around September and a second minor shed can occur around March. This has been confirmed by research studies done. This phenomenon is common in mammals who … Read more