Micro-Current Stimulation Has Potential Effects of Hair Growth Promotion on Human Hair Follicle-Derived Papilla Cells and Animal Model

April 2021 in “ International Journal of Molecular Sciences ”

Donghyun Hwang, Hana Lee, Jinho Lee, Minjoo Larry Lee, Seungkwan Cho, Tack-Joong Kim, Han Sung Kim

Studysummary This study found that micro-current electrical stimulation may promote hair growth in human hair follicle-derived papilla cells and a mice model by enhancing cell proliferation, migration, and activating key growth pathways. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

The study explored the potential of micro-current stimulation (MCS) at 50 µA as a non-pharmacological treatment for hair growth. It was found to enhance hair growth by promoting cell proliferation and migration, activating key signaling pathways (PI3K/AKT/mTOR/Fox01 and Wnt/ß-catenin), and increasing the expression of genes and growth factors associated with hair follicle development in both human hair follicle-derived papilla cells and a mouse model. MCS was more effective than minoxidil, a standard hair growth treatment, in inducing an earlier transition from the telogen to anagen phase, increasing the number of hair follicles, and thickening the skin. While MCS increased the expression of IGF-1 and IGF-1R, leading to an earlier appearance of the hair shaft, it did not affect VEGF-A expression, though VEGF-B was upregulated in both the MCS and minoxidil groups. The study did not specify the number of participants or mice used, which is important for evaluating the strength of the findings.

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