January 2015 in “Springer eBooks” Some alternative treatments may help with hair loss, but more evidence is needed to confirm their effectiveness.
January 2011 in “Springer eBooks” Eating a balanced diet with the right vitamins and minerals is important for healthy hair, but too many supplements can be harmful.
April 2023 in “PLOS ONE” Avicennia marina extract and avicequinone C can potentially promote hair growth and treat hair loss by interfering with hair loss mechanisms and boosting growth factors.
451 citations
,
April 2005 in “Endocrine Reviews” The enzyme steroid sulfatase is linked to breast cancer and other conditions, and inhibitors are being developed for treatment.
370 citations
,
September 1999 in “The New England Journal of Medicine” Finasteride and minoxidil are effective for hair loss, but continued research is needed for better treatments.
227 citations
,
January 1998 in “Journal of Endocrinology” Cells from balding scalps have more androgen receptors than cells from non-balding scalps.
130 citations
,
November 2015 in “Experimental Dermatology” Human hair follicle organ culture is a useful model for hair research with potential for studying hair biology and testing treatments.
98 citations
,
December 2003 in “The FASEB Journal” Thymosin β4 promotes hair growth by activating stem cells in hair follicles.
91 citations
,
May 2003 in “American Journal of Pathology” Prolactin affects hair growth cycles and can cause early hair follicle regression.
87 citations
,
May 2005 in “Journal of Dermatological Science” Asiasari radix extract promotes hair growth and increases protein synthesis and cell proliferation.
76 citations
,
February 2011 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Some African American women's central scalp hair loss is linked to genetics and past fungal scalp infections, with more research needed on other causes.
75 citations
,
October 2002 in “Journal of Dermatological Science” Sophora flavescens extract may help hair grow by affecting growth factors and blocking a hair-related enzyme.
74 citations
,
April 2005 in “Dermatologic Clinics” Minoxidil and finasteride are effective for male hair loss, minoxidil for female hair loss, and various treatments like corticosteroids work for alopecia areata; treatment should be tailored to the individual.
66 citations
,
January 2000 in “Hormone Research in Paediatrics” Androgens can both promote and prevent hair growth due to differences in gene expression in hair follicles.
66 citations
,
April 2002 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Finasteride increases hair weight and count in men with hair loss.
65 citations
,
August 2007 in “Experimental Dermatology” Human hair follicles can make and process prostaglandins, which may affect hair growth.
59 citations
,
August 1998 in “International Journal of Dermatology” Genetics and hormones cause hair loss; finasteride treats it safely.
56 citations
,
July 2006 in “American journal of physiology. Cell physiology” Steroid sex hormones activate matriptase in prostate cancer cells but not in breast cancer cells.
52 citations
,
February 2018 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology” PRP injections improve hair density and thickness in women with hair loss.
50 citations
,
September 2016 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism” Finasteride for hair loss may cause persistent sexual symptoms, depression, anxiety, and lower quality of life.
46 citations
,
September 2003 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology” Phosphatidic acid may help hair grow by affecting cell growth pathways.
40 citations
,
November 2012 in “British Journal of Dermatology” Minoxidil helps regrow hair in female pattern hair loss, but more research needed for other treatments.
30 citations
,
October 2004 in “Experimental Dermatology” Scalp hair follicle culture has limits for testing minoxidil's hair growth effects.
28 citations
,
February 2016 in “F1000Research” Understanding glycans and enzymes that alter them is key to controlling hair growth.
23 citations
,
September 2013 in “Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology” FPHL causes hair loss in women due to genetics and hormones; minoxidil and anti-androgens are treatments, and early intervention is advised.
22 citations
,
October 2018 in “Aesthetic Plastic Surgery” Understanding hair follicle biology and stem cell control could lead to new hair loss treatments.
22 citations
,
April 2015 in “Current problems in dermatology” Human hair follicles have a unique metabolism that changes between growth stages and may contribute to baldness.
20 citations
,
February 2004 in “Veterinary dermatology” Dog hair grows back in about 14 weeks after being clipped for surgery, and the season doesn't really affect this growth rate.
20 citations
,
August 2006 in “Veterinary dermatology” Melatonin helped some Pomeranian dogs regrow hair, but it wasn't linked to estrogen receptors.
19 citations
,
November 2001 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings” Human hair follicles can regenerate and recover after severe injury by going through a brief abnormal resting phase before growing again.