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'{{Mergefrom|Baldness#Preventing and reversing hair loss|date=March 2008}} More than half of men are affected by [[male pattern baldness]] by age 50, and '''baldness treatments''' are estimated to be a US $1 billion per year industry.<ref name=50percent>{{cite web|url=http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/9023/24253/352721.html?d=dmtContent|author=Whyche, Stephanie|accessdate=2006-07-26|title=The Bald Truth About Hair Loss In Young Men}}</ref> Since the 1980s, drug therapy has increasingly become a realistic management option for [[baldness]] for men and women. Increased understanding of the role of [[dihydrotestosterone]] (DHT) in male and female pattern baldness has led to targeted intervention to prevent this hormone from acting on receptors in the scalp. However, experts warn that many treatments marketed as hair loss cures are ineffective aside from the [[placebo effect]].<ref name="webmd_treatments" /> == Approved treatments == === U.S. === There are only two treatments approved by the [[Food and Drug Administration (United States)|U.S. Food and Drug Administration]] (FDA) for male baldness: [[Minoxidil]]<ref name="webmd_treatments">http://www.webmd.com/skin-beauty/guide/hair-loss-treatments.</ref> and [[Finasteride]] <ref name="fda.gov">http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/pdf6/K060305.pdf</ref>. Finasteride is recommended first for male pattern baldness.<ref name="webmd_treatments" /> ==Minoxidil (Rogaine/Regaine)== {{Main|Minoxidil}} [[Minoxidil]] is a [[vasodilator]] and originally was exclusively used as an oral drug (Loniten) to treat [[Hypertension|high blood pressure]]. It was discovered, however, to have the side effect of hair growth and reversing baldness, and in the 1980s, Upjohn Corporation received FDA approval to market a topical solution that contained 2% minoxidil to be used to treat baldness and hair loss as [[Rogaine (drug)|Rogaine]]. Objective evidence shows that minoxidil is effective in both the frontal areas of the scalp and the vertex area in treating male-pattern hair loss. At the conclusion of a 48 week study, improvements were seen in the frontal scalp regions of 51% of men using 5% minoxidil, 42% using 2% minoxidil, and 13% of placebo users. Among these men, moderate to great increases in hair growth were seen in the frontal scalp regions of 19% of men using 5% minoxidil, 10% using 2% minoxidil, and 3% of placebo users.<ref>[http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/article/articleDetail.jsp;jsessionid=GqhKXbTSppGQWLhLDmk2hbrYXGYyQD0NzWRCLBvVQLQL8YbGr8LK!2026812983?id=51115]</ref> The method of action for Minoxidil is not known. ==Finasteride (Propecia)== {{Main|Finasteride}} [[Finasteride]], marketed as the brand-name drug ''[[Propecia]]'' and ''[[Proscar]]'' by [[Merck & Co.|Merck]], belongs to a class of drugs called aza-steroids. Finasteride is a "[[dihydrotestosterone|DHT]] [[Enzyme inhibitor|inhibitor]]" and was originally approved by the US FDA for the treatment of [[benign prostatic hyperplasia]] (BPH). The drug works by binding to [[5-alpha-reductase]], the enzyme responsible for the conversion of free testosterone to DHT. Merck sought to find the smallest effective quantity of finasteride and test its long-term effects on 1,553 men between ages 18 and 41 with mildly to moderately thinning hair. Based on their research, 1&nbsp;mg daily was selected, and after two years of daily treatment, over 83% of the 1,553 men experiencing male hair loss had actually maintained or increased their hair count from baseline. Visual assessments concluded that over 80% had improved appearances.<ref>[http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/406344_2 Medscape summary] of the [http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6T1B-3YJ9WKC-5&_user=10&_coverDate=01%2F15%2F2000&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=f84ce7314df6a87e89d349ad949a3b95 full article]</ref> In 1997, Finasteride was approved by the US FDA for the treatment of [[male pattern baldness]]. A 5-year study revealed that 9 of 10 men taking finasteride (1&nbsp;mg daily) experienced visible results (42% of men taking Propecia experienced no further hair loss while 48% experienced no further hair loss and hair regrowth).<ref>[http://www.propecia.com/finasteride/propecia/consumer/see_the_proof/clinical_study.jsp Proof of results with PROPECIA]</ref> In clinical studies, finasteride, like [[Minoxidil]], was shown to work on both the [[Crown (anatomy)|crown]] area and the [[hairline]] area, but is most successful in the crown area.<ref name=finasteride1>{{cite journal |author=Leyden J, Dunlap F, Miller B, ''et al.'' |title=Finasteride in the treatment of men with frontal male pattern hair loss |journal=J. Am. Acad. Dermatol. |volume=40 |issue=6 Pt 1 |pages=930–7 |year=1999 |month=June |pmid=10365924 |doi= 10.1016/S0190-9622(99)70081-2|url=http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0190-9622(99)70081-2}}</ref> Finasteride is usually only prescribed for men and should not be used by pregnant or potentially pregnant women, as it has been speculated that it could cause severe birth defects in male fetuses.<ref>[http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/ANSWERS/ANS00842.html]</ref> Finasteride's supporters respond that the studies on post-menopausal women whose hairloss were more likely related to the loss of estrogen versus a sensitivity to testosterone. ==Antiandrogens== {{Main|Antiandrogen}} [[Antiandrogens]] block DHT already produced and present in the blood stream from ''binding'' with hair follicles. Their specificity varies greatly from specific antiandrogens such as finasteride which inhibit the conversion of testosterone to DHT by interfering with 5-alpha-reductase to more broad spectrum antiandrogens ([[fluconazole]], [[spironolactone]], etc.). Although unusual in clinical doses, antiandrogens can have serious side effects including [[gynecomastia]]. ==Dutasteride== {{Main|dutasteride}} In 2001, [[GlaxoSmithKline]] released another aza-steroid called [[dutasteride]], marketed as ''[[Avodart]]''. Like finasteride, dutasteride was originally developed for the treatment of [[benign prostatic hyperplasia]] (BPH). It is not currently sold for baldness treatment. While hair count studies showed that 2.5&nbsp;mg of dutasteride was about 1.5 times as effective as finasteride for hair regrowth (adding on average 108 versus 72 hair per 1" diameter area), Glaxo stopped FDA hair loss studies after phase II. Although the exact reason was never made public, it was speculated that the product was too similar to finasteride, which itself had not lived up to expectations commercially. As such, the 2.5&nbsp;mg dosage was not released. The FDA trials for BPH continued, and Avodart became the first drug shown to shrink an enlarged prostate in a clinical study. The .5&nbsp;mg version of the drug (shown in the same study to add on average 92 hairs to the same area) is increasingly available to hair loss sufferers via the grey-market of online prescription medication, and physicians increasingly willing to prescribe drugs "off-label." In December 2006, [[GlaxoSmithKline]] embarked on a new Phase III, six month study in Korea to test the safety, tolerability and effectiveness of a once-daily dose of [[dutasteride]] (0.5&nbsp;mg) for the treatment of [[male pattern baldness]] in the vertex region of the scalp (types IIIv, IV and V on the [[Hamilton-Norwood scale]]).<ref>[http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00441116]</ref> [[GlaxoSmithKline]] has published the results of the study. "This study demonstrated dutasteride 0.5&nbsp;mg /day administered for 6 months was well tolerated and slowed the progression of hair loss and increased hair growth in Korean men. For hair counts as assessed by macrophotography in the vertex at 6 months (primary endpoint), the dutasteride 0.5&nbsp;mg group was significantly superior to the placebo group. The hair count difference at 6 months between dutasteride and placebo group was 7.5 ± 20.4 (95% CI = 0.8, 14.3). The overall incidence of adverse events and adverse drug reactions during treatment was similar in the two groups.. The most commonly reported adverse event in both groups was nasopharyngitis. One serious adverse event was reported during the trial (thyroid cancer in the placebo group)."<ref>[http://www.gsk-clinicalstudyregister.com/files/pdf/20093.pdf]</ref> The future impact that this study will have on the US FDA's approval or disapproval of [[Avodart]] for the treatment of [[male pattern baldness]] in the United States is yet to be determined. ==Ketoconazole== {{Main|Ketoconazole}} [[Ketoconazole]] is a synthetic [[antifungal drug]] used to [[prophylaxis|prevent]] and treat skin and fungal infections, especially in [[Immune deficiency|immunocompromised]] patients such as those with [[AIDS]]. Because it is both an anti-fungal, a [[5-alpha reductase]] inhibitor and a hair growth stimulant,<ref>Jiang, J. Tsuboi, R., Kojima, Y. and Ogawa, H. ''Topical application of ketoconazole stimulates hair growth in C3H/HeN mice.'' J Dermatol. 2005 Apr;32(4):243-7.</ref> it can help to slow the balding process.<ref name=HugoPerez> {{cite journal |pmid=14729013 |journal = Med Hypotheses |author = Hugo Perez BS |year = 2004 |volume = 62 |issue = 1 |pages = 112–115 |title = Ketocazole as an adjunct to finasteride in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in men |doi = 10.1016/S0306-9877(03)00264-0 |url=http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0306987703002640 }}</ref><ref name=pierard> {{cite journal |journal = Dermatology |author = Pierard-Franchimont C |coauthors = De Doncker P, Cauwenbergh G, Pierard GE |year = 1998 |volume = 196 |issue = 4 |pages = 474–477 |title = Ketoconazole shampoo: effect of long-term use in androgenic alopecia |doi = 10.1159/000017954 |pmid=9669136 |url=http://content.karger.com/produktedb/produkte.asp?typ=fulltext&file=drm96474 }}</ref> There has been some suggestion that ketoconazole could inhibit testosterone synthesis in utero, which could potentially inhibit genital development of a male fetus. However, this has not been documented in any controlled studies.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fetal-exposure.org/ANTIFUNGAL.html|title=Ketoconazole-(P)|publisher=Illinois Teratogen Inforamation Service|accessdate=2006-08-09}}</ref> Ketoconazole has not been FDA-approved for hair loss, though it is used for other scalp conditions. ==Copper peptides== Copper peptides are applied topically to the scalp, and shorten the resting phase of hairs, resulting in more hair follicles on the scalp being in the growing phase (as opposed to the resting or falling out phase) at one time.{{Dubious|date=October 2008}}<!-- The source is a patent, not a scientific study --> Copper peptides generally have [[superoxide]] [[dismutation]] activity.<ref>[http://www.doctorproctor.com/patents/pro876.html US patent 5,470,876, "Topical SOD for treating hair loss"]</ref> SOD work by dismuting the superoxide anion into hydrogen peroxide, thereby preventing the converson of the superoxide anion to peroxynitrite (a free-radical) by combining with nitric oxide (a naturally occurring chemical messenger). The double effect of SOD therefore is the reduction in free-radical and increase in nitric oxide. It is thought that a key mechanism of action for minoxidil is the production of [[Nitric oxide]] (NO). Superoxide has an "agonist-antagonist" relationship with Nitric oxide or "Endothelium-derived Relaxing Factor".<ref>[http://www.drproctor.com/Archd.htm "Endothelium-Derived Relaxing Factor and Minoxidil: Active Mechanisms in Hair Growth", ''Archives in Dermatology'', vol 125, August, 1989]</ref> Various SOD generating products are now available. However, one problem with SOD is the production of Hydrogen Peroxide as a by-product of singlet oxygen (superoxide anion) quenching. In the human body, the enzyme catalase converts the SOD hydrogen peroxide byproduct into water and oxygen. Nanogen, a UK-based skin research company, is undergoing Phase I trials to ascertain the hair regrowth potential on a new "broad-spectrum" molecule which has been shown in extensive independent laboratory in-vitro testing to have both SOD and Catalase mimetic activity. The company has not released details of the molecule as it is pending patent but it is copper II based. ==Herbal Treatment== *[[Polygonum multiflorum|he shou wu]] (traditional Chinese: 何首烏; simplified Chinese: 何首乌; pinyin: hé shǒu wū) is a [[Chinese herbology|chinese herb]] that can be boiled to form a brown colored tea which is believed by some to cause moderate hair regrowth. The tea has a taste similar to [[roasted barley tea]]. * [[Saw palmetto extract]] has been suggested as a potential treatment for male pattern baldness. It has been shown to inhibit both isoforms of 5-alpha-reductase without eliminating the cellular capacity to secrete PSA.<ref>[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17342743?ordinalpos=6&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DefaultReportPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum]</ref><ref>[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18849646?ordinalpos=3&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DefaultReportPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum]</ref><ref> [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19336899?ordinalpos=2&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DefaultReportPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum]</ref> *[[Gingko biloba]] has been suggested as a treatment for baldness because is believed to increase blood circulation to the brain and skin. *[[Green tea]] contains compounds called [[catechins]], which inhibits 5 [[alpha reductase enzymes]] used by the body to transform [[testosterone]] into [[DHT]]. Some claim that it relaxes the blood vessels and increases circulation to the scalp. ==Spin labels== In animal models, the [[nitroxide]] [[spin label]]s [[TEMPO]] and [[TEMPOL]] enhance hair regrowth following radiation. National Cancer Institute-sponsored clinical trials<ref>[http://clincancerres.aacrjournals.org/cgi/content/full/10/19/6411 report]</ref> TEMPOL is similarly effective in humans.<ref>[http://www.doctorproctor.com/patents/pat482.html United States Patent 5,714,482 "Topical spin labels and method"]</ref> ==Diet and lifestyle== There are a number of genetic factors which determine a person's susceptibility to androgenic alopecia including androgen receptor polymorphisms, 5-alpha-reductase levels in the scalp, androgen receptor density and distribution in the scalp, and other factors some of which may not have been discovered. Daily, vigorous aerobic exercise (as opposed to short workout periods designed to raise androgen levels and build muscle, or more sporadic exercise) and a diet which is adequate yet more moderate in terms of fat and total calorie intake have been shown to reduce baseline insulin levels as well as baseline total and free testosterone,<ref> {{cite journal |author=Daly W, Seegers CA, Rubin DA, Dobridge JD, Hackney AC |title=Relationship between stress hormones and testosterone with prolonged endurance exercise |journal=Eur. J. Appl. Physiol. |volume=93 |issue=4 |pages=375–80 |year=2005 |month=January |pmid=15618989 |doi=10.1007/s00421-004-1223-1 |url=}}</ref>. Lower insulin levels and reduced stress both result in raised levels of Sex Hormone Binding Globulin ([[SHBG]]). SHBG binds to testosterone, and prevents it from circulating free in the blood. Only free testosterone is converted to DHT. It is the level of free androgens and not total androgens which is relevant to the levels of DHT in the scalp and the progression of MPB. In short, aerobic exercise is capable of significantly lowering DHT. <ref name=barnard1>{{cite journal |author=Barnard RJ, Aronson WJ, Tymchuk CN, Ngo TH |title=Prostate cancer: another aspect of the insulin-resistance syndrome? |journal=Obes Rev |volume=3 |issue=4 |pages=303–8 |year=2002 |month=November |pmid=12458975 |doi=10.1046/j.1467-789X.2002.00081.x |url=http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/openurl?genre=article&sid=nlm:pubmed&issn=1467-7881&date=2002&volume=3&issue=4&spage=303}}</ref> <ref name=barnard2>{{cite journal |author=Barnard RJ, Aronson WJ |title=Preclinical models relevant to diet, exercise, and cancer risk |journal=Recent Results Cancer Res. |volume=166 |issue= |pages=47–61 |year=2005 |pmid=15648182 |doi=10.1007/3-540-26980-0_4 |url=}}</ref> [[Androgenic alopecia]] has been shown to correlate with [[metabolic syndrome]]. Medically increasing androgen levels does not worsen this condition, demonstrating that androgens do not cause metabolic syndrome. Instead, high insulin levels (and possibly chronic inflammation<ref name=joffe> {{cite journal |author=Joffe HV, Ridker PM, Manson JE, Cook NR, Buring JE, Rexrode KM |title=Sex hormone-binding globulin and serum testosterone are inversely associated with C-reactive protein levels in postmenopausal women at high risk for cardiovascular disease |journal=Ann Epidemiol |volume=16 |issue=2 |pages=105–12 |year=2006 |month=February |pmid=16216530 |doi=10.1016/j.annepidem.2005.07.055 |url= }}</ref>) seem the likely link in the demonstrated correlation between baldness and metabolic syndrome. This reinforces the notion that behaviors which help to keep insulin levels low and reduce chronic inflammation might also help to preserve hair.<ref name=cikim> {{cite journal |author=Cikim AS, Ozbey N, Sencer E, Molvalilar S, Orhan Y |title=Associations among sex hormone binding globulin concentrations and characteristics of the metabolic syndrome in obese women |journal=Diabetes Nutr. Metab. |volume=17 |issue=5 |pages=290–5 |year=2004 |month=October |pmid=16295051 |doi= |url= }}</ref><ref name=heald> {{cite journal |author=Heald AH, Anderson SG, Ivison F, ''et al.'' |title=Low sex hormone binding globulin is a potential marker for the metabolic syndrome in different ethnic groups |journal=Exp. Clin. Endocrinol. Diabetes |volume=113 |issue=9 |pages=522–8 |year=2005 |month=October |pmid=16235154 |doi=10.1055/s-2005-865807 |url= }}</ref> ==Hair transplantation== {{Main|Hair transplantation}} [[Hair transplantation]] involves relocating (transplanting) bald resistant hair follicles from the back and sides of the head (the donor areas) to a person’s bald or thinning areas. The transplanted hair follicles will typically grow hair for a lifetime because they are genetically resistant to going bald. In recent years hair transplantation techniques have evolved from using large plugs and mini grafts to exclusively using large numbers of small grafts that contain from between 1 to 4 hairs. The grafting may cause localized "shock" loss of existing hair, the graft then typically grows in within a year. Since hair naturally grows in follicles that contain groupings of 1 to 4 hairs, today’s most advanced techniques transplant these naturally occurring 1 – 4 hair "follicular units" in their natural groupings. Thus modern hair transplantation can achieve a natural appearance by mimicking nature hair for hair. Another method is [[scalp reduction]], in which skin in the balding area of the scalp is surgically excised. The left over skin is then pulled together and sutured. ==Hair multiplication == [[Stem cells]] and dermal papilla cells have been discovered in hair follicles and some researchers predict research on these follicular cells may lead to successes in treating baldness through ''hair multiplication'' (HM), also called ''hair cloning.'' HM is being developed by two independent companies: ARI (Aderans Research Institute, a Japanese owned company in the USA) and [[Intercytex]], a company in Manchester ([[UK]]).<ref name=webmd> {{cite web |url=http://my.webmd.com/content/article/96/103836.htm?z=3734_00000_1000_qd_01 |accessdate = 2006-08-10 |title = Hair Cloning Nears Reality as Baldness Cure |date = 2004-11-04 |publisher = Webmd.com }}</ref><ref name=cbs2chicago> {{cite web |url=http://cbs2chicago.com/health/health_story_075114234.html |title = Big Baldness Breakthrough? |accessdate=2006-08-10 |publisher = Associated Press |date=2004-03-15 }}</ref> In 2008, [[Intercytex]] announced positive results of a [[Clinical trial#PhaseII|Phase II]] trial for a form of [[cloning]] [[hair follicles]] from the back of the neck, [[Hair multiplication|multiplying]] them and then reimplanting the cells into the scalp. The initial testing resulted in at least two thirds of male patients regrowing hair. As of 2009, the company estimates this treatment will take "a number of years to complete" [[Clinical trial#PhaseIII|Phase III]] trials before it can go to market.<ref>http://www.intercytex.com/icx/products/aesthetic/icxtrc/faqsicxtrc/</ref> ==== WNT Protein Introduction ==== In May 2007, U.S. company [[Follica Inc]], announced they have licensed technology from the [[University of Pennsylvania]] which can regenerate [[hair follicles]] by reawakening [[genes]] which were once active only in the [[embryo]] stage of human development. Skin apparently can be brought back to this embryonic state when a wound is healing. Hair growth was discovered in the skin wounds of mice when [[Wnt protein]]s were introduced to the site. Development of a human treatment is expected to take several years.<ref> [http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/health_medical/article2553928.ece] [http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/story/0,,2081129,00.html?gusrc=rss&feed=networkfront] [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/article1800306.ece] [http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/society/health/baldness+cure+may+be+on+horizon/514157] [http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/05-16-2007/0004590099&EDATE=][http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18703259/] [http://www.uphs.upenn.edu/news/News_Releases/may07/hair-follicle-regeneration.html] [http://video.msn.com/?mkt=en-us&brand=msnbc&vid=3b251041-8028-403d-a6fc-e749264afc01]</ref> ==Scalp massage== A randomized clinical trial of patients with bald patches on their scalp or skin showed a daily scalp massage with [[essential oils]] to be a safe and effective treatment for hair loss resulting from [[alopecia areata]], a condition affected 0.1%–0.2% of humans (mostly women).<ref>http://www.cancer.org/docroot/ETO/content/ETO_5_3X_Aromatherapy.asp</ref><ref>{{cite journal |author=Hay IC, Jamieson M, Ormerod AD |title=Randomized trial of aromatherapy. Successful treatment for alopecia areata |journal=Arch Dermatol |volume=134 |issue=11 |pages=1349–52 |year=1998 |month=November |pmid=9828867 |doi= 10.1001/archderm.134.11.1349|url=http://archderm.ama-assn.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=9828867}}</ref> == Low-level laser therapy == A number of devices are sold that use low level laser energy directly on the scalp with the intent to stimulate hair growth through "Photo-Biostimulation" of the hair follicles. The Hairmax Lasercomb is the only laser phototherapy device to receive FDA clearance for marketing. The FDA did not determine whether the LaserComb is safe or effective. Instead, it determined that the device is similar to devices sold before 1976. This means that the device can be sold without proof of safety or efficacy.<ref>http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf6/K060305.pdf</ref> The Leimo laser is registered with the TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration) of Australia as a Class IIa Medical Device. It was approved for safety, but the TGA did not rule on its effectiveness. In 2009 the TGA reprimanded Leimo, stating that there is no evidence that the device would regrow hair, and said that the company must "withdraw any representations that the advertised product can provide benefits such as hair regrowth, reversal of hair loss, or reversal of hair thinning."<ref>http://www.tgacrp.com.au/index.cfm?pageID=13&special=complaint_single&complaintID=1355</ref> == Unsaturated fatty acids == Particular unsaturated fatty acids such as [[Gamma-Linolenic acid|gamma linolenic acid]] are 5 alpha reductase inhibitors if taken internally.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Liang T, Liao S |title=Inhibition of steroid 5 alpha-reductase by specific aliphatic unsaturated fatty acids |journal=Biochem. J. |volume=285 ( Pt 2) |issue= |pages=557–62 |year=1992 |month=July |pmid=1637346 |pmc=1132824 |doi= |url=}}</ref> == Hedgehog agonists == Through 2006, a drug development company spent $1,000,000 on a hair growth program focused on the potential development of a topical [[Hedgehog signaling pathway|hedgehog]] [[agonist]] for hair growth disorders such as male pattern baldness and female hair loss. The hair loss research program was shut down in May 2007 because the process did not meet the proper safety standards.<ref>{{cite news | author=Procter & Gamble | title=Curis and Procter & Gamble Enter into R&D Agreement for Hair Growth Program | url=http://www.pgpharma.com/news_20050919.shtml | year=2005 | month=September 19 | accessdate=2006-08-24}}</ref> <!-- Original link is dead: http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/060509/20060509005684.html?.v=1 --> ==Plant remedies== ===Caffeine=== {{Main|Caffeine}} [[Caffeine]] has been identified as a stimulator of human hair growth ''in vitro'', and reduced [[testosterone]]-induced follicle growth suppression.<ref name="Int J Dermatol.">{{cite journal | author=Fischer TW ''et al.'' | title=Effect of caffeine and testosterone on the proliferation of human hair follicles in vitro | journal= International Journal of Dermatology| year=2007 | volume=46(1) | pages= 27–35 | url=http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-4632.2007.03119.x | doi=10.1111/j.1365-4632.2007.03119.x | format=abstract }}</ref> It has been demonstrated that the addition of caffeine to a shampoo-formulation is effective in administering caffeine to the [[hair follicles]] in the scalp.<ref name="Skin Pharmacol Physiol.">{{cite journal |author=Otberg N, Teichmann A, Rasuljev U, Sinkgraven R, Sterry W, Lademann J |title=Follicular penetration of topically applied caffeine via a shampoo formulation |journal=Skin Pharmacol Physiol |volume=20 |issue=4 |pages=195–8 |year=2007 |pmid=17396054 |doi=10.1159/000101389 |url=}}</ref> Further research must be done to evaluate the efficacy and adequate dosage of caffeine in the treatment of [[androgenetic alopecia]]. A spray made with coffee beans is claimed to prevent age-related hair loss in women.<ref>[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=480216&in_page_id=1770]</ref> ===Black Cohosh=== {{Unreferenced section|date=April 2009}} [[Actaea racemosa|Black Cohosh]] (the most popular non-synthetic treatment in women for menopause in the world) has also been patented as a baldness treatment. Its mechanism of action is not fully understood but it is known to cause estrogen/progesterone receptors to bias in favour of estrogen, thus increasing the amounts present in the male user. Estrogen has a limited effect as an anti-androgen, but it is also responsible for the production of a soft layer of fat and thus a softening of the scalp. == Genetic research == In February 2008 researchers at the [[University of Bonn]] announced they have found the genetic basis of two distinct forms of inherited hair loss, opening a broad path to treatments for baldness. They found that a gene, [[P2RY5]], causes a rare, inherited form of hair loss called [[Hypotrichosis simplex]]. It is the first [[receptor]] in humans known to play a role in hair growth. The fact that any receptor plays a specific role in hair growth was previously unknown to scientists and with this new knowledge a focus on finding more of these. In May [[2009]], researchers in [[Japan]] identified a [[gene]], [[Sox21]], that appears to be responsible for hair loss in people.<ref>[http://uk.reuters.com/article/scienceNews/idUKTRE54O4D020090525]</ref> == See also == * [[Baldness]] * [[Comb over]] * [[Toupee]] == Footnotes == {{Reflist|2}} 31 Leavitt M, Charles G, Heyman E, Michaels D. HairMax LaserComb laser phototherapy device in the treatment of male androgenetic alopecia: A randomized, double-blind, sham device-controlled, multicentre trial.Clin Drug Investig. 2009;29(5):283-92. == External links == * [http://www.childrensalopeciaproject.org Children's Alopecia Project] * [http://www.aafp.org/afp/990415ap/2189.html "Medical Treatments for Balding in Men,"] April 1999, ''American Family Physician'' (medical journal) * [http://nahrs.org/faqs/mphl.aspx North American Hair Research Society] Frequently asked questions * [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,8125-1584988,00.html Health Alternatives:] zinc, silica, methylsulphonylmethane (MSM) and cod-liver oil, to slow down the process. * [http://www.hairscientists.org/index.htm The Trichological Society] * [http://www.ishrs.org International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery] * [http://people.howstuffworks.com/hair-replacement.htm How Hair Replacement Works] {{Other dermatological preparations}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Baldness Treatments}} [[Category:Dermatologic procedures and surgery]] [[ja:脱毛の治療]] [[tr:Kellik tedavileri]]'