Recent Progress in Understanding the Effect of Sympathetic Nerves on Hair Follicle Growth

    August 2021 in “ Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology ”
    Jiarui Zhang, Ruosi Chen, Lihong Wen, Zhexiang Fan, Yilong Guo, Yong Miao
    Image of study
    TLDR Stress can cause hair loss by affecting nerve-related hair growth, and noradrenaline might help prevent this.
    The document discusses the significant role of sympathetic nerves in hair follicle growth and cycling, primarily through the release of noradrenaline. The study found that stress, which increases sympathetic activity, can disrupt the hair growth cycle and potentially lead to hair loss. Experimental data showed that the depletion of noradrenaline in mice inhibited hair growth, while its restoration promoted hair growth. The local application of a noradrenaline skin patch could prevent alopecia in rats exposed to high-dose radiation or chemotherapy. The sympathetic nerves also interact with arrector pili muscles and hair follicle stem cells, suggesting a role in hair growth. The document suggests the potential of using noradrenaline in combination with stem cell therapy for promoting hair growth, but further investigation is needed to understand the exact mechanism in humans.
    Discuss this study in the Community →

    Research cited in this study

    19 / 19 results

    Related Community Posts Join

    6 / 22 results

      community Massive hair gains! Hope! May this post be a light to you in dark phases when all other lights go out

      in Progress Pictures  193 upvotes 6 months ago
      A 27-year-old man saw significant hair regrowth after starting a regimen in January that included topical minoxidil with finasteride, vitamins D and B12, fish oil, zinc with magnesium, quitting smoking, and intermittent fasting. People commented on the effectiveness of minoxidil in Southern populations and asked about the details and timeline of his treatment.

      community Stop expecting results in 2 months!

      in Treatment  125 upvotes 6 months ago
      People discussing hair loss treatments emphasize the need for patience, as results from using finasteride and minoxidil can take 8-12 months or longer. Some users report early signs of improvement, while others experience continued shedding or slower progress.

      community How does dutasteride regrowth work?

      in Finasteride/Dutasteride  6 upvotes 6 months ago
      A 25-year-old man with hair loss from bleach damage is using oral minoxidil and considering adding Dutasteride for better regrowth and prevention. He seeks advice on Dutasteride's effectiveness and potential benefits over finasteride, and is also curious about RU58841.

      community Androgenic alopecia exclusively on the vertex of the scalp

      in Chat  6 upvotes 6 months ago
      A user experienced androgenic alopecia starting at the vertex without frontal hairline recession and is seeking information on this pattern. Another user noted that vertex or diffuse hair loss is common among men.

      community My doctor lowered my Minoxidil from 5mg to 2.5mg

      in Minoxidil  71 upvotes 3 months ago
      A user discussed their doctor lowering their Minoxidil dose from 5mg to 2.5mg, expressing concerns about losing hair gains. Other users suggested that 2.5mg is safer long-term and speculated the doctor is being cautious about side effects.

    Similar Research

    5 / 618 results