Induction of Hair Growth by Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 in 1,763 MHz Radiofrequency-Irradiated Hair Follicle Cells

The study investigated the effects of 1,763 MHz radiofrequency (RF) radiation on human dermal papilla cells (hDPCs) and its potential to stimulate hair growth. It was found that RF radiation at a specific absorption rate of 10 W/kg significantly induced the expression of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) mRNA in hDPCs, leading to increased levels of BCL-2 and cyclin D1 proteins and enhanced phosphorylation of MAPK1 protein. This exposure also promoted hair shaft elongation in ex vivo hair organ cultures and increased Ki-67 expression in follicular matrix keratinocytes, while reducing apoptosis signals. The results suggested that RF exposure could stimulate hair growth in vitro by inducing IGF-1 in hDPCs.