The Expression of Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 in Follicular Dermal Papillae Correlates with Therapeutic Efficacy of Finasteride in Androgenetic Alopecia

IGFBP‐rP1 shows potential for treating androgenic alopecia by influencing hair cycle transitions. Increasing IGF-1 levels may have similar effects to Minoxidil and 5-AR inhibitors in reducing hair loss.

Hair loss is linked to cellular physiology and the IGF-1 to TGF-B1 ratio, not just androgen sensitivity. The theory lacks evidence, while finasteride and minoxidil are effective treatments.

The conversation discusses potential hair loss treatments focusing on stimulating IGF-1 at the follicle level using growth-factor cocktails and engineered peptides, such as Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3, Copper Tripeptide-1, Oligopeptide-20, Thymosin-β4, and Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7. It suggests that device-assisted delivery methods like microneedling may enhance effectiveness.

DHT promotes beard growth but causes scalp hair loss due to inflammation and fibrosis. Treatments like finasteride and minoxidil help with hormonal signals and blood flow but don't address underlying inflammation.

Increasing IGF-1 may help hair growth, but it could also increase hair loss in people with high testosterone. Treatments discussed include l-arginine, glutamine, vanadium, Deer Antler Velvet, ATP, Cocarboxylase, l-carnitine, and Mk677.

The user is using finasteride, HGH, GHK-CU, BPC-157, KPV, biotin/collagen/keratin vitamins, ketoconazole shampoo, and low-dose naltrexone to address hair loss, avoiding minoxidil due to past shedding experiences. Adenosine is discussed as a potential alternative to minoxidil, though it is noted to be expensive and hard to find.