Skin and hair renewal is maintained by both fast and slow cycling stem cells, with hair regrowth primarily driven by specific stem cells in the hair follicle bulge. These cells can also help heal wounds and potentially treat hair loss.
118 citations
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January 2016 in “Current Topics in Developmental Biology”
The document concludes that while significant progress has been made in understanding skin biology and stem cells, more research is needed to fully understand their interactions with their environment.
Hair loss treatments like finasteride, minoxidil, and hair transplants have side effects and limitations. There is hope for future advancements in stem cell therapy and hair follicle regeneration, though skepticism about their effectiveness and timeline persists.
PP405 is a new hair loss treatment in phase 2 trials that may promote hair growth by increasing lactate production and activating hair follicle stem cells. It could potentially replace hormone-disrupting treatments like Minoxidil and finasteride.
The user experienced subtle hair growth improvements using finasteride, dutasteride, and minoxidil over nearly three years, with notable progress at the temples. The front hairline shows quicker regrowth cycles, but the vertex and crown remain unchanged.
Scalp biopsies are crucial for diagnosing hair loss conditions like Diffuse Unpatterned Alopecia (DUPA) and retrograde hair loss, as treatments like finasteride and dutasteride may not be effective if other conditions are present. Combining PPAR-GAMMA agonists with retinoids could improve treatments for conditions like Lichen Planopilaris.
A user shared their 6.5-month experience with topical finasteride (2%) and minoxidil (5%), noting initial progress followed by a significant shedding phase. Others in the conversation reassured that shedding is normal and suggested staying consistent with the treatment for potential regrowth.