There are many forms of hair loss but by far the most common in men and women is adrogenic alopecia and there is no permanent cure to date.
There are a number of ways of “managing” alopecia with varying degrees of success. A transplant can work well for men but ultimately it doesn’t promote new hair growth it just redistributes existing hair. Compounds like finasteride or minoxidil can stem the loss but will only work as long as they’re being used.
Some developments in the pipeline
There are however a few developments in the pipeline, according to Medical News Today, which have the potential to attack the root causes of baldness. In San Diego researchers are working with stem cells to create new hair and have had some success with mice.
Studies in Dallas and Edinburgh are focusing on the genetic causes of hair loss with a view to developing topical compounds that can deliver a missing gene directly to the hair follicles. Other studies in San Francisco and New York are concentrating on faulty immune cells and inhibiting certain enzymes which appear to stimulate hair growth.
So, there is undoubtedly cause for hope that a cure for baldness may be around the corner given the amount of laboratory research going on although it isn’t here yet. In the mean-time those of us suffering hair loss are limited to existing treatments.
SMP could be a way of tackling the problem
Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP), whilst not exactly a treatment, is another way of tackling the problem of hair loss until a cure is found. It works equally well with totally or partially bald scalps and is becoming an increasing popular way to create the illusion of real hair without the pain (and cost) of a transplant or the ongoing treatment with a medical compound. For more information, why not book a free consultation with one of our SMP experts?
