TLDR The symposium concluded that a specific lipid might cause hair loss, inflammation is a key factor, and stem cells in bald scalps aren't working right, suggesting new treatment targets.
The Cicatricial Alopecia Symposium in 2011, attended by approximately 90 scientists, focused on the roles of lipids, inflammation, and stem cells in hair loss. The symposium found that prostaglandin D2, a lipid, was present in higher levels in bald scalps, suggesting its role in hair loss. Inflammation was identified as a key factor in cicatricial alopecia, and anti-inflammatory treatments were suggested as potential management strategies. The symposium also found that while stem cells were present in bald scalps, they were not functioning properly, possibly due to inflammation or lipid changes. The potential of PPARγ and AhR as therapeutic targets was discussed, with 50% of lichen planopilaris patients responding to treatment with Pioglitazone, a PPARγ agonist. The symposium concluded with the need for better understanding of the role of lipids in hair loss and the role of the sebaceous gland in hair biology.
8 citations,
March 2014 in “American Journal of Pathology” Damaged hair follicles make mice more prone to skin inflammation and skin cancer after UV exposure.
25 citations,
June 2018 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Genes linked to fibrosis are more active in people with central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia.
January 2017 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings” The 2015 Hair Research Congress concluded that stem cells, maraviroc, and simvastatin could potentially treat Alopecia Areata, topical minoxidil, finasteride, and steroids could treat Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia, and PTGDR2 antagonists could also treat alopecia. They also found that low-level light therapy could help with hair loss, a robotic device could assist in hair extraction, and nutrition could aid hair growth. They suggested that Alopecia Areata is an inflammatory disorder, not a single disease, indicating a need for personalized treatments.
47 citations,
October 2014 in “Expert Opinion on Emerging Drugs” New alopecia treatments aim for better results and fewer side effects.
107 citations,
August 2012 in “Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology” The document concludes that understanding the sebaceous gland's development and function is key to addressing related skin diseases and aging effects.
November 2023 in “Frontiers in cell and developmental biology” Hair aging is caused by stress, hormones, inflammation, and DNA damage affecting hair growth and color.
