From Surgery to Pharmacology to Gene Therapy: The Evolution of Hair Restoration Techniques

September 2010 in “ Annals of Plastic Surgery ”

Shareef Jandali, David W. Low

scalp reduction hair-bearing flaps hair transplantation follicular unit extraction minoxidil finasteride androgenetic alopecia combination therapy gene therapy hair follicles WNT SHH FUE Rogaine Propecia

From the encyclopedia

Minoxidil →

An essential vasodilator with some anti-androgenic effects

Finasteride →

Frontline, gold standard treatment for combatting androgenic alopecia

Studysummary This article reviews recent advancements in understanding hair follicle biology, with a focus on the potential for gene therapy in treating alopecia, but it reports no new research findings.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

The document reviewed the progression of hair restoration techniques over time, detailing the shift from surgical methods like scalp reduction and hair-bearing flaps to hair transplantation, which has become more refined with the use of follicular unit extraction (FUE) for natural-looking results. It also covered pharmacological treatments, specifically minoxidil and finasteride, which are FDA-approved and have been effective in treating androgenetic alopecia, with combination therapy proving more beneficial than individual use. The potential of gene therapy was also discussed, with a focus on reactivating or creating hair follicles by targeting genes such as WNT and SHH, though safety remains a critical concern. The document highlighted the financial drive behind hair restoration research due to the demand for a baldness cure.

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