Researchers at the University of Sheffield and COMSATS University in Pakistan have discovered a naturally occurring sugar involved in the creation of DNA (2dDR) that could potentially become a new treatment for male pattern hair loss. After utilizing the sugar gel in wound-healing experiments, scientists noticed hair began growing around wound sites. Using mice genetically modified to have male pattern baldness (androgenic alopecia), researchers found that the sugar gel regrows hair at a “similar” rate as one of the only FDA-approved treatments for male pattern baldness, minoxidil.
Sugar Gel Regrows Hair on Mice with Male Pattern Baldness
According to the study, published in Frontiers in Pharmacology, the sugar gel regrows hair at a similar rate to minoxidil, at about 80-90 percent the efficacy. That also meant that the hair grown met certain measurements for hair regrowth, such as hair length, the length and density of the follicles, and blood vessel count.
Researchers also tried combining the sugar and the FDA-approved treatment for hair loss, to little change.
“No significant benefit were observed by applying a combination of minoxidil with 2dDR,” the study says. “We conclude that 2dDR gel has potential for the treatment of androgenic alopecia and possibly other alopecia conditions where stimulation of hair regrowth is desirable, such as after chemotherapy.”
More study is needed to understand how this sugar gel regrows hair.
More Than 50 Percent of Men Over 50 Experience Male Pattern Baldness
Androgenic alopecia can impact men and women, leading to hair thinning, hair loss and a receding pattern of baldness in men. Male pattern baldness is progressive, and often begins as a small amount of thinning at the hairline. Primarily the cause of genetics, your odds of experiencing male pattern baldness increases with age.
The relationship between our genetics, our hormones and our hair are still being studied. Scientists are currently researching how hormone sensitivity might impact our developing genes and their resulting androgen (a male sex hormone) production.
Treatments for Male Pattern Baldness
It’s going to take a while before that sugar gel regrows hair on a human head, much less be offered by doctors or over the counter. Currently, there are two FDA-approved treatments for androgenic alopecia: minoxidil (topical) and finasteride (oral medication).
These medications have side effects and don’t necessarily work for everyone, or forever.
“Minoxidil may take two to four months of daily use before you notice any improvement in your hair loss,” the Cleveland Clinic notes. “Finasteride may take at least three months of daily use before you notice any improvement. If you stop using either medication, your regrown hair will fall out.”
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