The Effect of Botulinum Toxin on Hair Follicle Cell Regeneration Under Continuous Stress Conditions: A Pilot Animal Study

January 2022 in “ Neurotoxicity Research ”

Bo Hyun Jung, Sun Hong Song, Se Jin Yoon, Jung Hoi Koo, Ki‐Yeon Yoo

botulinum toxin type A hair follicle cell regeneration continuous stress conditions terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling Substance P hair loss hair regeneration cycle Botox hair growth stress-induced hair loss

TLDR Botulinum toxin may help reduce stress-related hair loss.

This pilot animal study investigated the effects of botulinum toxin (BTX) type A on hair follicle cell regeneration under continuous stress conditions using 30 C57BL/6 mice. Hair loss was induced, and the mice were divided into three groups: control (CTL), stress (STRESS), and BTX + STRESS. The study found that continuous stress delayed hair follicle regeneration, with the STRESS group showing less hair growth and increased levels of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling-positive cells and Substance P (SP) immunoreactivity. In contrast, the BTX + STRESS group exhibited an almost normal hair regeneration cycle, similar to the CTL group. These results suggest that BTX may mitigate the negative effects of stress on hair growth, indicating its potential as a treatment for hair loss.

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