An American hairdresser has been gaining popularity with a potential hair loss cure. Her video demonstrating the technique has had nearly 50K views and received messages in praise. So we ask, is this a new hair loss cure? 

Nicola Chatfield 

Nicola is an American hairdresser. She offers a range of services from her website beyond just hair though. Nicola offers tips on beauty and health as well as wedding planning. But she hit a rich seam of popularity with a video she uploaded to YouTube. In the video, Nicola demonstrated the method for growing hair. She uses a pull-up bar to hang upside down for five minutes a day for a week. The theory behind what is known as ‘The Inversion Method’, is that the increased blood supply to the scalp area promotes hair health. That by improving the blood supply the hair will receive more nutrients and so grow faster and healthier. 

Nicola measured her own hair before and after her week of hanging upside down. It had, she told her watchers, grown by half an inch. She concluded it was ‘definitely worth a go’ and ‘definitely one to add to your routine’. Her only warning, that doing it more than once a month will result in your hair getting greasier. 

Her review was echoed by another American blogger, Chris Gault. He posted his own video to say ‘this works’. Gault claims to have used the technique for the last 18 months so clearly not buying into Nicola’s warning about grease. He does claim his hair is growing back, though judging by the picture on his site he would still seem to be stuck at around Norwood 5/6.

A Note Of Caution

Medical professionals have cast doubt on the suitability of the exercise. While hanging upside down does certainly push blood into the scalp, the delicate connections and blood vessels of the brain are also in the region. The pooling of blood in the area caused by hanging upside down carries a threat of those vessels bursting, leading to a brain haemorrhage.   

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There is sound bioscience behind the basic claim for the inversion method. It is just that there are so many easier ways to achieve it. Methods that do not require you to put your health at risk from serious injury. To be honest, we were just relieved to read that Nicola escaped unscathed from her experiment. Hanging upside down from a pull-up bar strikes us as slightly reckless, with the risk of a fall enough to put us off. We would recommend 5 minutes of exercise, upright or horizontal, as a better way to see blood pumped to your scalp in plentiful supply. 

For those of you who are unlikely to put exercise on your agenda, there are other options. Platelet Rich Plasma therapy does an infinitely better job of supplying a needy scalp with nutrients. For everyday use, a caffeine shampoo is a good addition to your routine. 

If you would like to discuss your hair loss situation with one of our friendly team of experts simply complete the contact form at the side of this page, or click here to find your nearest clinic.

Gene editing is at the cutting edge of scientific advances in medicine. News of results released this week suggests hair loss will be on the list of curable conditions. We look closer. 

CRISPR Gene Editing

Scientists discovered an enzyme, Cas9 (or CRISPR-associated), that had an amazing property. They found that it could be used as a pair of molecular scissors to cut strands of DNA.  American scientist, Jennifer Doudna, and her French colleague, Emmanuelle Charpentier were the first to discover the technology. Since then the story has been one of refinement. That’s all well and good you are no doubt thinking, but will gene editing be the cure for hair loss?

The ambition from the outset was that it could be a powerful tool in the fight against hereditary diseases.

Since 2005, when the technology was first discovered, the work has been picked up by labs around the world. Two American companies, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, and CRISPR Therapeutics, have been working on their treatment and looking to turn theory into clinical evidence. They have published the results of the very first clinical trials involving CRISPR technology. 

CRISPR Revolution

The team took two challenging conditions, sickle cell disease, and beta-thalassemia. They are both inherited conditions that result in blood disorders and are accompanied by grim side-effects. 

The headline-grabbing verdict in their published report was a winning one. They declared that the two treated patients have both been potentially cured of their diseases. It has been called a ‘remarkable scientific and medical milestone.’

In the trials, the team extracted bone marrow stem cells fro the patients and edited them in the lab. Fixing the genetic mutations that caused the disease and then infusing the cells back into the body. The body can then, in theory, take over and produce healthy new cells. 

Results

The patient suffering from beta-thalassemia received one treatment nine months ago. The patient had previously required 16 blood transfusions in a year but has not needed one since.

The sickle cell patient received their treatment over four months ago. Prior to treatment, they experienced an average of seven excruciating health crises a year. Since treatment, they have not experienced one.

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It is one of the more remarkable stories we have reported on over the years. A treatment that seems likely, if not probable, to be able to cure hair loss. But don’t hold your breath. This is the very first published trial results for the technology and there is still a long way to go. 

Estimates on cost for treatment are astonishing. Well over $2M. So the wait will be a long one. Not just for many more trial results to be published either. We need more than one clinic in one country working on a treatment. What we need is for hundreds of clinics to be working on the technology, and for cheaper faster ways to achieve it. Will gene editing cure hair loss? Quite possibly. We will, of course, be watching ever so closely. 

If you would like to discuss your hair loss situation with one of our friendly team of experts simply complete the contact form at the side of this page, or click here to find your nearest clinic.

Bollywood has just seen the launch of a first, a film with a bald central character. More than that, a film where the fact that the main character is balding is the central theme. We look closer.

Bollywood

The fact that the Indian film industry has a larger output than Hollywood is well known. You may not know it produces around twice as many films though. Or that nearly 1.5% of the population in India pays a day’s wages to visit the cinema. The director, Fatima Begum, became the first woman to make a film as early as 1926. Today, Bollywood produces a 1000 films a year in 10 different languages. They love a song, one film, ‘Indra Sabha’ contains an incredible 71 of them. To see a major film breaking bald taboo’s that have been around forever is great news. 

It is a huge and progressive business. One which takes it lead from, and has a huge influence on, the opinions and attitudes of people throughout India and beyond. 

So the release of a film all about a bald man trying to do something about it really caught our attention. Then we heard it was a sitcom and hearts sank. But fear not…

Bald Bala

Bala is the name of the film in question. Bala, the central character, starts out in the film as a salesman for a company that sells ‘women’s fairness cream’. A product designed for women to lighten their skin. But he gets demoted at work and sinks into despair, which triggers him to do something about his hair loss.

The film follows him through his battle to try and regain his locks. His character is set in opposition to Latika, a lawyer desperate to lighten her skin but failing miserably. 

Its a light-hearted take on one mans fight against hair loss. But its an ultimately redemptive story about the importance of coming to terms with yourself as you are.  

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Bala has received great reviews and looks all set for success. It has a full global release schedule and will have an audience of tens of millions. Great to see Bollywood leading the way. We would not be surprised if Hollywood is watching closely and their version follows along. You can see the official trailer here under the strapline ‘Bold is beautiful but what about Bald?’

If you would like to discuss your hair loss situation with one of our friendly team of experts simply complete the contact form at the side of this page, or click here to find your nearest clinic.

A US-led study has just published results of some amazing research. It points to a previously unknown process playing a key role in hair loss. 

Hair Growth Process

Our understanding of how hair grows has been improving for a while now. As we peel away at layers of complexity we must get ever nearer to a cure. Now a study reveals hair loss hope in the form of a completely new element to growth.

Not so long ago our knowledge boiled down to recognising the three phases of the hair follicle. During the first stage, called anagen, the hair is in active growth. This stage can last anything up to 7 years and see the hair grow up to 30 inches in that time. Of course, not everyone will grow hair that long. How long the growth stage lasts, and how long the hair might grow, will depend on genetics. age, and so much more. 

The second stage is short, sometimes just a couple of weeks. During this catagen stage, the hair detaches from the follicle. It is followed by a resting phase, called telogen. During telogen, the old hair will stay in place while the new hair develops underneath. Finally, it falls out to be replaced by the younger version. At any one time, you can expect around 15% of your hair to be in telogen. 

Uncovering Complexity in Hair Growth

When Francis and Crick cracked the structure of DNA in the 1950’s it opened a new world of medicine. The search was on to find the gene that controlled hair growth. Unfortunately for us hair loss sufferers, they succeeded beyond their wildest dreams. To date, they have found well over 200 genes that all play a part in the process. An incredibly high figure which speaks to the challenges involved in understanding how to tweak them to our benefit. 

But a team led by a US professor, Elaine Fuchs, has announced research results which casts an entirely new light on things. A process that is central to hair growth yet hitherto unknown.  

Lymphatic System – New Hair Loss Hope

In an amazing piece of bioscience, Prof. Fuchs’ team has been studying a communication system the body uses. It involves the stem cells our body uses every day to repair and heal and how those cells communicate. They have successfully described a molecular messaging system they use. 

By creating animals with transparent skin they were able to watch these communication channels in action. These ‘lymphatic capillaries’ are special blood vessels that form networks, including around hair follicles. 

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It is mind-bending stuff. What they have watched and reported on are stem cells that control the health of the hair. Doing it by switching on growth factors, or a drainage system to take away toxins for example. 

The promise is that this research might lead to a cure. That by instructing the stem cells to create hair growth we might, one day, simply be able to switch our hair on. Now wouldn’t that be something? You can see their publication, with all the stunning detail, here. 

If you would like to discuss your hair loss situation with one of our friendly team of experts simply complete the contact form at the side of this page, or click here to find your nearest clinic.

It can only be good news, to see a major global pharmaceutical firm with hair loss on its agenda. Especially true after failing at an advanced stage last year with one promising product. With Allergan to reenter the hair loss market on the back of an announcement this week, we had to take a closer look.

Allergan

Allergan is a Dublin based, global pharmaceutical firm. With a turnover last year in excess of $16B they are huge. With Allergan to reenter the hair loss market, sufferers the world over have every reason to be pleased.

They focus on developing, manufacturing and marketing branded products for patients around the world. One familiar name on their product list is botox. Although HQ’d in Ireland, Allergan started life as an American business called Actavis, who moved to Ireland to take advantage of the friendly corporate tax environment there. Once in Ireland, they acquired a number of large US pharmaceutical firms, including Allergan whose name they took. They received a $150M windfall in 2015 when a proposed merger with Pfizer broke down and Pfizer settled with a ‘break up fee.’ In fact, it was Obama’s plan to ban tax inversions that changed Pfizer’s plan to create what would have been the world’s third-largest merger.

A History Of Hair Loss

Allergan’s first attempt to enter the hair loss market did not fare so well. They took an oral hair loss drug through to a Phase IIa trial that completed last year. Unfortunately, the results of that trial disappointed and it was subsequently dropped from the Allergan pipeline list. 

Undeterred, Allergan has come back to hair loss with the announcement of a $750M deal. They have tied up a deal with a biotech firm called Exicure. Exicure work on developing gene regulating drugs. It is phenomenally complex bioscience. By tying up with a global pharma like Allergan they have big ambitions. Chief Executive, David Giljohann, said he was excited at the prospect of ‘combining our knowledge of nucleic acid therapeutics with Allergan’s deep expertise in medical aesthetics.’

Early Plan To Address Hair Loss

At this stage, the new partners are coy around exactly which markets they are looking to address. The great news for hair loss sufferers is that androgenetic alopecia is likely to be first on their list. They have correctly identified it as an underserved market. One where there is a $3.5B estimated annual spend on treatments and products. Most of which are extremely limited in efficacy.

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So it seems we can look forward to watching the work of Exicure more closely. They will be tasked with discovery and preclinical development work on any hair loss project. With Allergan then taking over at the clinical testing stage. 

You can read more about Exicure, and the science that underpins their research, by clicking here. They are an enormously welcome addition to the increasingly high-quality labs we see joining the fight against hair loss. It is exciting to see their work attracting the likes of Allergan. Equally, it is encouraging to see Allergan’s appetite for the hair loss market seems undamaged by their previous attempt. 

If you would like to discuss your hair loss situation with one of our friendly team of experts simply complete the contact form at the side of this page, or click here to find your nearest clinic.

A team at Massachusetts General Hospital has just announced the results of a recent study. While researching a possible new tool in the fight against the condition they have made an amazing hair loss discovery. We take a closer look.

Hair Loss Study

Sheraz Khan, Ph.D., lead author on the study, published his team’s work at the end of October. They had been investigating a property of hair, namely its ability to generate an electromagnetic field. Their plan was to compare that electric field on subjects with full heads of hair to others with alopecia. While reviewing their results they made an amazing hair loss discovery. 

Currently, measuring the extent of our hair loss is best described as flawed. Not that we lack options. A dermatologist or trichologist will have any number of techniques to choose from. Global photography is popular. Less common is taking a phototrichogram unless you are taking part in a study. Daily hair counts, the wash test, and others are all good for getting a general picture but all have their drawbacks. Even the most accurate of them, the phototrichogram, requires a level of skill and experience to capture the images. Supported by even more expertise to interpret them correctly.

Hair Loss Study

But if the present methods for establishing, with any accuracy, the degree of hair loss, the future is bright. 

Dr. Khan’s team used a device known as a magnetoencephalogram (MEG). This can be used to create visual interpretations of an electrical field. The Massachusetts team designed a helmet with a MEG built into it and used it to study 17 subjects. 

Among those 17 subjects were 2 who exhibited alopecia. When the researchers studied the ‘map’ they made a stunning discovery. On those patients with alopecia, there was no electrical activity at all. It means that it is now potentially possible to measure the difference during a patient’s time with their professional.

As Dr. Khan puts it “This method provides a quantitative and objective assessment for the health of the hair follicles and can be used as a biomarker for the treatment of hair loss.”

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It seems strange that we have got this far in the fight against hair loss with no way of measuring it. Or its progress on an individual with anything but broad strokes, Norwood Scale anyone? 

The team at Massachusetts General has made an important breakthrough. For the first time, hair professionals can look forward to a future where they can measure their success. In the research field, teams will be able to test the efficacy of new drugs and treatments with far greater accuracy. 

Just one more important step on the way. Well done to Dr. Khan and his team. 

If you would like to discuss your hair loss situation with one of our friendly team of experts simply complete the contact form at the side of this page, or click here to find your nearest clinic.

Taking care of our hair is something we all spend time doing. This is even more true for those of us experiencing hair loss. Here are our hair care tips for hair loss sufferers who want to give their hair its very best chance. 

Healthy Hair Routine

We all understand the importance of keeping our hair clean. Most of us have a consistent hair hygiene routine that will involve regular washing. This keeps the hair we have in prime condition and gives it the best chance to be healthy.  But there is a great deal more that can be done.

It is a rare advert break where at least one shampoo vendor is not pitching their product. Invariably, there is a chemical or plant that is lauded for adding bounce, shine, body, and sometimes all three. The bottom line is, pretty much any shampoo will clean your hair. Beyond that, we also need to consider an aspect of hair care which affects most, if not all, of us. 

Scalp Care

It is important to remember that our scalp is just skin. The covering of hair means it is typically out of sight, and all too often out of mind. It is skin populated with hair follicles, all in various growth stages. Usually, around 70% will be in the growth stage. That figure will vary slightly, according to the season, with greater growth in the summer. 

If we ignore the job of cleaning our scalp regularly, we can run into trouble. If you use a product on your hair like gel or hairspray, it can be washed out at the end of the day. But there can still be a cumulative build-up on the scalp that is harder to remove. In addition, the scalp can see a build-up of the natural oils we all produce. Whether caused by products or your own oils, the result can be itching and flaking. This is not an ideal situation for the hair follicles as, unattended, it can start to cause growth problems. So, once or twice a week you should give your scalp a scrub. There are many, many, products offering to do the trick. Though, you can always just add a teaspoon of coarse salt to your usual shampoo and massage that into your scalp. It will leave no residue and washes out easily. 

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The rate at which men, in particular, have embraced products for their hair has accelerated. We have moved away from a world where men’s grooming products boiled down to a handful of offers. Nowadays, the local chemist will have shelves full of grooming products aimed directly at men. It means the issues of scalp care are more pertinent than ever before. The regular use of straighteners, tight styles like man-buns, colouring, dry shampoo, and more, have all contributed to the issue. With that long list of interesting ways to abuse our own hair and scalp… why wouldn’t you detox with a scrub now and then?

If you would like to discuss your hair loss situation with one of our friendly team of experts simply complete the contact form at the side of this page, or click here to find your nearest clinic.

So many of us make a visit to the gym part of our routine these days, for so many good reasons. We take a closer look at the question, is my workout causing hair loss? Exploring how it can and what you can do about it.   

The Benefits of A Workout

The 1980s was the decade when our individual health really came to the fore. It was the decade of the VHS video recorder and when home entertainment was in its infancy. In the early part of that decade, and on the back of a bestselling book from 1979, Hollywood star Jan Fonda released her first workout video. It would be a bestseller for most of the rest of the decade. It launched an entire fashion industry of its own, popularising spandex, leotards and legwarmers. You can read more about Jane’s story here 

In the nearly forty years since a lot has changed. There is a gymnasium on just about every high street, often more than one. They appeal to men and women, old and young. Over the same period, our awareness of what we eat has also become an obsession for many. Forget for a moment that we face an obesity crisis and regular stories about serious shortcomings in our food chain. The fact is that gyms and the services they offer, from gentle stretchers to ferocious spinning classes, have never been so popular. Little wonder, the clear links between fitness and our wider health are well understood.

The widely held belief is that this is purely a positive development. The reality is that what is right for one individual might not be a good plan for someone else. Take the example of Andrew Marr. A super busy political TV presenter, Andrew Marr was a committed keep fitter. Hard at it on his rowing machine at home one Sunday he suffered a stroke. It seems the demands of the routine he had chosen was just too much for some of the fragile vessels in his brain. 

While that is an extreme example, there are more everyday concerns which we should all have at the back of our minds. If you are among the group which has hair loss in their future, which is over half of all of us, you would do well to take some advice on board. Just how can a gym workout lead to hair loss, and what can we do about it.   

Hair Loss From Working Out

So how can going to the gym cause hair loss? In a condition called telogen effluvium hair loss is caused by a shock to the system. The shock might have been caused by anything on a long list. Accidents or surgery are pretty much the same as your body is concerned. A huge release of chemicals takes place. Sometimes, as part of that reaction, the body will close down ‘non-essential’ functions. Sadly, this can include growing hair. It does this by putting as many as 70% of your follicles into their resting state. Up from the usual 15%. The difference can vary from just about noticeable to shocking. 

So while a strenuous workout is,  on the whole, a positive thing to do, it can have drawbacks. The sweat produced, along with the stress chemicals which get released, can strain the follicles. It can lead to weakened hair shafts and leave the hair in generally poor condition. 

What Can I Do?

There are simple steps to follow, that can give your hair the best chance of surviving the gym unscathed. Keeping it clean is vital. Do not skip washing your hair after a workout. It is a vital step to make sure you clear it of sweat and anything else that might be lurking on the scalp. This is doubly true if your routine involves a swim in a chemically treated pool. Chlorine is not our friend, not when it is left on our scalp at least. If you are already doing this and still think you have a problem, then a visit to a trichologist might be a good idea. There you can get your hands on a solution to reduce the sweat coming from the scalp. 

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It is probably best to think of your hair as a bell-weather for everything about your health. Everything we eat and do is reflected in our hair. Eat healthily and exercise regularly to give your hair its best care. Eat badly and do no exercise, it will show up. That said, it might come as s surprise to many that you can work out too hard for your hair. 

If you would like to discuss your hair loss situation with one of our friendly team of experts simply complete the contact form at the side of this page, or click here to find your nearest clinic.