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 stimulates tissue and hair regeneration by fine tuning the cell mechanics of the stem cells. This effect was quick and within 10 days growth was seen in the study which was done on both old and young mice.
If this research comes to fruition, it is thought that a topical preparation would be the first choice of delivery of the molecule to the hair follicles. However, it is still too early to predict whether this research will lead to a marketable product.
This could lead to promising new treatment for hair loss in the future that works differently to the current treatments for hair loss like Minoxidil, Finasteride, laser light therapy and platelet-rich plasma.