Harvard Health Letter’s Review of New Treatments for Baldness




According to a recent issue of the Harvard Health Letter, which has been published in August 2008, hair transplantation techniques remain the most efficient type of hair loss therapy.


For balding people, this medical news represents both hope and distress. Hope comes from the statement of Harvard researchers that new methods of hair transplantation, which include improved surgical procedures, revolutionary biotechnological methods of implanting hair, and more advanced and safer techniques of conventional hair transplants, now offer very encouraging results for both bald patients and those who suffer from localized hair loss. On the other hand, apart from good news on advances in the field of expensive hair transplantation technologies, no new pharmaceutical remedies for hair loss have been approved by FDA since the year 1997.

Before 1997, two drugs for baldness had received FDA approval: Rogaine with its active ingredient minoxidil, and Propecia featuring the chemical finasteride. Both medications act to slow the conversion of the hormone testosterone into DHA – a substance that damages hair follicles and eventually leads to male-pattern baldness. Several studies have shown that Propecia is slightly more effective in slowing hair loss in men than Rogaine; however, Propecia is also a more expensive drug on the market. Both drugs have their major drawbacks: they do not cure baldness, nor do they re-grow lost hair to any substantial degree, at least in the majority of patients. In addition, these medications have a number of undesirable side effects, and they can show some effectiveness only for as long as the patient continues taking them.

The method of hair transplantation works by replacing damaged hair follicles with healthy ones that are taken from other parts of the patient’s scalp. Implanted hairs together with their active roots promote hair re-growth in previously bald areas. The technique is highly effective, but it is painful and fairly invasive, while the cost of transplantation is very high and often prohibitive for many hair loss sufferers. A hair transplant surgery may require repeated operations and can cost as high as $12,000 for each procedure. Newer techniques, although even more expensive, use smaller grafts and are considered more successful and less invasive for the patient.

Another good news that Harvard researchers have announced is that a number of new drugs for hair loss currently undergo clinical trials and may soon become available to treat balding patients. Besides, several companies continue working on synthesizing artificial hair follicles, which may become a true breakthrough in treating alopecia in the future. Another promising technique involves experiments with extracting hair root cells, multiplying them in culture, and implanting into scalp tissues. Other scientists hope to stimulate hair growth by using abrasive gels, and preliminary studies on laboratory mice have already shown dramatic results.

In addition, many traditional folk remedies for baldness, such as emu oil or saw palmetto extract, are available on the market. Although their effectiveness is not yet supported by scientific research, a number of anecdotal evidences exist to bolster claims that such non-pharmaceutical, natural remedies can be highly promising in combating baldness, as well.

Richard Dunn

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Posted on August 8, 2008 
Filed Under Hair Loss News and Statistics, Hair Loss Treatments

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