“What began as a study to investigate the mechanisms of a rare genetic disease may have uncovered instead the root cause of balding and hair greying.

“Although this project was started in an effort to understand how certain kinds of tumors form, we ended up learning why hair turns to gray and discovering the identity of the cell that directly gives rise to hair.” ~ Dr. Lu Le

Dr. Lu Le and colleagues were looking into a disorder called neurofibromatosis type 1 (‘NF1′), a genetic condition whereby tumors grow on nerve tissue in the brain and spinal cord. While this research remains ongoing, the team may have discovered a breakthrough in the cause and, possibly, treatment, of baldness and greying.

Grey hair, hair loss, and balding are natural and heavily influenced by genetics. While losing or greying of hair is not harmful, it can induce psychological stress (which, BTW, is not related to greying or baldness!) To this end, Dr. Le and colleagues believe that their research will eventually produce new treatment options.

QUICK STATS ABOUT BALDING AND GRAYING

According to a study published in the Journal of Dermatology, 74% of people between the ages of 45 and 65 display some degree of greying. 6 to 23% of adults worldwide have 50 percent gray hair coverage by the age of 50 years.

Contrary to popular belief, a higher percentage of women display noticeable hair loss than men. The website statisticbrain.com cites that 80% of women will have noticeable hair loss by age 60, compared to 65% of males.

More data is available on men than women regarding hair loss. 40% of men will have noticeable hair loss by age 35; 65% by age 60, and 70% by age 80.

THE STUDY

Dr. Le and colleagues found that an abnormality or absence of one of two proteins – ‘KROX20’ and stem cell factor (SCF) – “play(s) a significant role in hair loss and graying,” respectively.

Previous studies show that hair follicles (openings from which hair grows) contain specialized cells that aid hair growth. Le and his team observed that when SCF cells are transported to the base of the follicle, KROX20 activates in turn, which permits hair growth.

When SCF cells were removed from the genes of mice, the rodents grew gray hairs. When KROX20 were removed, the mice grew no hair at all.

In short, Le’s study shows:

– The molecules involved in hair loss: KROX20.
– The molecules involved in greying: SCF
– The manual transfer and integration of SCF and KROX20 stimulate hair growth with ‘natural’ pigmentation and tone.

This study proves to be very promising and may one day yield a serum or medicine capable of stopping hair loss or even regrowing lost hair. Until that time comes scalp micro pigmentation still remains the most effective and natural looking method for treating baldness and hair thinning of multiple types.”

ABOUT ALPHA MICROPIGMENTATION

Alpha Micropigmentation in Las Vegas, NV. has over 25 years experience in working with hair. Their scalp micro pigmentation is among the top in their field and recognized by their peers. Contact them today for a free consultation!

SOURCES:

HTTP://WWW.AMERICANHAIRLOSS.ORG/HAIR_LOSS_RESEARCH/GENE_THERAPY.ASP

HTTPS://WWW.MEDICALNEWSTODAY.COM/ARTICLES/317372.PHP

HTTPS://WWW.NCBI.NLM.NIH.GOV/PUBMED/22716034HTTPS://WWW.STATISTICBRAIN.COM/HAIR-LOSS-STATISTICS/