Reductive Stress Selectively Disrupts Collagen Homeostasis and Modifies Growth Factor-independent Signaling Through the MAPK/Akt Pathway in Human Dermal Fibroblasts

Stress can lead to hair loss by affecting hair-follicle stem cells, and this loss is harder to recover from if one has male pattern baldness (MPB). Treatments like finasteride and minoxidil are used to address hair loss, but stress-related hair loss differs from androgenic alopecia.

Minoxidil may inhibit collagen synthesis at high concentrations, with anecdotal reports of skin aging but limited research. Dermatologists and other specialists show little interest in studying minoxidil's side effects.

A peptide from Japanese water chestnut fruit may help with hair loss by suppressing DHT's effect on hair follicle cell death, potentially serving as a finasteride alternative. The treatment's effectiveness and safety in humans remain uncertain.

Topical 2-deoxy-D-ribose (2dDR) regrows hair in mice almost as well as 2% Minoxidil. However, 2dDR may contribute to oxidative stress and hair loss due to the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs).

Adipose-derived stem cells with ATP improved hair regrowth in male and female mice with androgenetic alopecia. The most effective treatments were low dose stem cells with ATP for males and medium dose stem cells with non-liposomal ATP for females.

Exploring a potential hair loss treatment using the enzyme AKR1C2 to locally reduce DHT levels. Challenges include enzyme delivery through the skin and high production costs, with gene therapy or stem cells suggested as future alternatives.