In the News – Nanomedicine Prototype Affects Hair Growth

/by William Rassman, M.D./0 /

From the press release —

Luna Innovations Incorporated (NASDAQ:LUNA) announced today the discovery that a nanomedicine prototype aids in the growth of new hair follicles. Scientists at Luna’s nanoWorks Division in Danville, VA, have been developing a portfolio of new candidates based on antioxidant nanomaterials which could lead to a platform technology for treating a wide range of diseases. “One of our new nanomedicine prototypes, after only two weeks of treatment, was found to increase the number of hair follicles fourfold in mice which are born genetically hairless,” said Robert Lenk, President of Luna’s nanoWorks Division.

Hair growth is a process that normally depends on the regeneration of tiny hair follicles. Hairless mice have a mutation that results in atrophy of hair follicles a few weeks after birth. The hair does not regenerate. The gene responsible for the mutation in the hairless mice has been identified, however the biological processes that cause the follicle to atrophy are not well understood.

Luna is working with scientists at The Hamner Institutes for Health Sciences to further pursue their discovery in the hope of identifying a therapeutic aide to potentially treat male pattern baldness. In addition to hair loss due to heredity, Luna’s discovery may also aid in hair regeneration for loss due to other medical conditions.

Full text here — Luna Discovers Nanomedicine Prototype Affects Hair Growth

All the news here is good news, at least for hairless mice. This is where much of the research starts, so let’s hope that more good news will follow in the years to come.

Tags: luna, nanomedicine, hairloss, hair loss, mice, nanoworks

Neck Hair and DHT

/by William Rassman, M.D./0 /

Dr. Rassman,
I was told by my hair transplant surgeon that FUE can be performed effectively from extracting the hairs near my neck since he finds it unusually dense compared to other areas on my scalp.Are you in agreement of this=based on the fact that these hairs can in fact be effected by DHT?

In other words if the hairs are in fact efected by DHT why would I go through this expense/discomfort if they will eventually fall out? please advise

Neck hair is not scalp hair and as such it is NOT considered permanent hair. I have seen plenty of patients who had lost their neck hair as they age. If you transplant neck hair it may NOT be permanent. In your particular case, you mention hairs “near” your neck — and I simply don’t know precisely the area you’re talking about.

Tags: neck, hairloss, hair loss, hairtransplant, hair transplant, dht

4 Months After Hair Transplant, Seeing Dead Skin and Hair Coming Out

/by William Rassman, M.D./0 /,

Hi,
Im 4 months post op and noticed some dead skin peeling off fro the recepient area while combing my hair after shower.

There was no blood behind. Just Dead skin with some attached hair to it. is there anything to worry about? Will the hair grow again in place of the dead skin?

thanks

This is probably crusting that you haven’t washed off. I have seen this on people who were too gentle with their post operative washing. See your hair transplant doctor to ask about your post-op care.

Tags: hairtransplant, hair transplant, hairloss, hair loss, aftercare

In the News – Significant Hair Loss Linked to Dietary Supplement

/by William Rassman, M.D./1 /

From the article —

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers in 15 states about the link between a dietary supplement and adverse side effects including “significant hair loss.”

The distributor of “Total Body Formula” and “Total Body Mega Formula” has voluntarily recalled the dietary supplement products after 23 individuals suffered “serious reactions” within seven to 10 days of ingesting the liquid supplements, the FDA said in a news release.

Full text — FDA Warns ‘Significant Hair Loss’ Linked to Dietary Supplement

This is a significant news story on the potential dangers of dietary supplements, which I hope many of our readers take to heart. There are no free rides in this world.

Tags: total body formula, fda, hairloss, hair loss, diet, supplement, danger, supplement