The future of hair loss treatment might be a little more shocking than expected. Recent research presents an experimental electric comb that appears particularly effective in combating baldness, at least in mice.
Scientists at Beihang University in China developed the contraption, which they nicknamed “Demangle.” Shaved mice treated with the comb experienced significantly greater hair regrowth than mice given existing drugs like minoxidil, the active ingredient in Rogaine, they found. Although further study is needed, the researchers hope their device could provide a valuable treatment for androgenetic alopecia, the most common form of baldness.
“(T)hese results demonstrate that electrostimulation via the Detangle system promotes hair growth and follicle regeneration safely and effectively,” they wrote in their paper published this month in the journal Nature Communications.
An untangled success
Minoxidil is an effective treatment for androgenetic alopecia, but it has drawbacks. Many users hate the messy topical gels or creams typically used for application, for example. Pill versions of minoxidil are easier to take but can cause unwanted hair growth elsewhere. Most importantly, some people simply don’t respond to the medication or experience only mild regrowth.
Another limitation of topical agents like minoxidil is that very little of the medication is able to penetrate the skin and reach the hair follicles where it is needed. This is one of the limitations that the researchers are trying to resolve with their Detangle system, a name inspired by the 2010 Disney film about Tangled, Tangled.
The Detangling Comb has several components. It has two types of teeth of different lengths, one of them containing therapeutic molecules. When the comb is used, it delivers small electrical pulses, while the different sized teeth are meant to gently lift the skin. These pulses and the lifting action of the skin are intended to generate a stronger electric field than is normally possible, which then makes it easier for the molecules to penetrate deeper into the skin.
Androgenetic alopecia, also called pattern baldness, is caused by hair follicles that are overly sensitive to androgens, particularly the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT). In these latest experiments, the researchers relied on two molecules to counteract baldness: a plasmid that promotes the growth of new blood vessels and the SRD5A2 siRNA to suppress the production of DHT.
The researchers tested the comb on mice modeled to suffer from this disease. This meant the mice had their backs shaved and were given a dose of testosterone for 28 days. Afterward, some mice were given topical minoxidil or oral finasteride (another common hair loss treatment), while others were combed daily with Detangle.
Overall, detangled mice saw significantly more hair return than mice given either conventional drug. By the end of the month, Detangle’s mice experienced nearly 100% hair regrowth on their shaved backs, compared to about 70% hair regrowth seen in the minoxidil group. Tests also showed that the comb effectively delivered the molecules to the mice and caused no noticeable damage to their skin.
What comes next?
Obviously, this is only a first test in mice. Much more research will be needed, including studies on human volunteers, before we can know whether the Detangle Comb will work well in people with baldness.
Nonetheless, the researchers are optimistic that their system will eventually be able to provide another treatment option for the estimated 1.5 billion people living with androgenetic alopecia. And it may even have applications for other skin conditions.
“The Detangle system is shown to be safe and effective for deep tissue delivery in dermatology,” they wrote.
Gn Health
