In most cultures, thinning hair in men has been normalized and many men even expect it, especially those with balding issues in the family. However, not many women are prepared for the same faith. Hair loss and hair thinning are rarely discussed, even in older women in menopause. For many women, their condition is a shock with great consequences on mental health and confidence.
Women might experience hair loss for many reasons. There are autoimmune conditions, as well as issues with the immune system. It can also occur if there are reduced numbers of certain nutrients in the body, mainly iron, folic acid and vitamin B. Thyroid problems can also be a trigger for thinning hair. The good thing is that in some cases, there’s a treatment for hair loss.
For years now, some women who experience hair loss and thinning can improve their condition by using minoxidil, but these results are not permanent, as they can disappear if the patient stops using the product. Right now, minoxidil is the only drug approved by the FDA when it comes to hair loss issues in women. But because we see a rise in women with hair loss, science rolled up her sleeves and started investing more time into tackling hair loss. Here are a few new discoveries in the field that might be suitable for your hair loss issue:
The discovery of trichophages
The first discovery we must mention and acknowledge is the discovery of trichophages. The research focused on mysterious immune-related cells that produce Oncostatin M, a substance that can keep hair follicles in a sleep state. These cells were previously impossible to identify in the skin, but tireless research managed to identify them and pinpoint those responsible for the production of Oncostatin M. In its core, these cells are similar to macrophages, or the cells that scavenge for pray in the shape of immune system cells, and the scientists discovered that they are closely associated with hair follicles. After discovery, these cells were named trichophages, after the Greek word for hair—tricho.
As scientists trigger these trichophages, they can also awaken the dormant follicles and turn on the hair cycle. Using small molecule inhibitors and antibodies, it’s possible to block trichopages receptors and prevent the flow of Oncostatin M which prevents the hair cycle from going freely.
Growing lab hair
The second study with revolutionary findings includes growing hair in the lab. The research was aimed at using stem cells for maximizing hair growth and growing human hair in a dish. The results have great benefits for hair restoration surgery, this time for women too. It also helps companies come up with new drugs for hair growth in women.
So far, all the human hair follicles that have been generated in a dish didn’t grow as expected, but new findings are very encouraging. The team responsible for the discovery used 3D printers to create a natural-looking environment for the hair to grow in. With 3D plastic molds with thin extensions, it’s possible to replicate the skin environment necessary for hair growth. Thanks to innovations in 3D printing tech, we now can have engineered human skin to grow around the lifelike mold. The hairs are fed with a cocktail of cells, keratin and other growth factors, including JAK inhibitors which stimulate growth. After a few weeks, healthy follicles appeared and started growing the first fully lab-grown hair! In the future, the hair will be implanted or used for various hair extension needs. But right now, women all over the world still need to rely on natural hair clip on hair extensions which look very natural and provide a seamless blend. These are a great solution for all women needing some extra volume until their hair loss issues are solved.
Hair farms
The biggest benefit of the abovementioned discovery of growing hair in the lab will allow the creation of so-called hair farms that will provide women with new hair follicles for restorative surgery. In order to perform hair restoration surgery, doctors need to move about 2,000 hair follicles from the back of the head to the top and front. This used to be reserved for women who have a stabilized hair loss and thinning condition and enough hair to donate. Hair farms will provide doctors and patients with grids of hair carefully engineered to be transplanted. This practice extends the restoration practices to include millions of women who experience hair loss and thinning. There will be no need to limit surgery based on the donor’s hair availability!
Sleepy follicles
In female pattern baldness, patients usually have many hair follicles that are still alive but just “asleep”. The new research was aimed at finding drugs that can awaken those follicles and start the hair growth cycle without focusing on drugs that work like existing minoxidil and finasteride (these two drugs are made mainly for men). The research managed to discover new pathways called JAK-STAT which is found in stem cells of dormant hair follicles and is there to keep them asleep. In previous research conducted on mice, it has been discovered that JAK inhibitors can reawaken the hair follicles in these lab animals. The demonstration of the results of the study shows that blocking the source of the JAK activating signal can target the dormancy mechanism and reawaken the cells.
While we have had certain development in pattern hair loss prevention and reversibility, it was mostly conducted in men. But with the new pathways, we can expect treatment both for men and women who suffer from hair loss, because these pathways do not have anything to do with male hormones. If the treatment is used topically, it’s possible to avoid many side effects of other drugs like minoxidil and finasteride, making new drugs more suitable for female pattern hair loss.
The research we just discussed is a great step forward to normalizing female hair loss and thinning as well as preventing it or treating it. Women who struggle with this issue have a lot to look forward to because the solution is on the horizon.