Category: Other

Snippet from the non-hair-loss-related article:

Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) have become a popular potential therapy for numerous autoimmune and neurological disorders. But while these bone marrow-derived stem cells have been studied in great detail in the dish, scientists know little about how they modulate the immune system and promote tissue repair in living organisms.

Now, one research team has uncovered a molecular mechanism by which hMSCs promote recovery in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis (MS).

According to research, published online Sunday (May 20) in Nature Neuroscience, a growth factor produced by hMSCs fights MS in two ways: blocking a destructive autoimmune response and repairing neuronal damage. The finding could help advance ongoing clinical trials testing hMSCs as a therapy for MS.

Read the rest at The Scientist — Could Stem Cells Cure MS?

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that affects the brain and central nervous system, with millions of sufferers all over the world. I know this post isn’t hair-related, but regular visitors to this site know that I like to post interesting general health news/opinion.

Hey guys. Histogen published an article about it’s HSC in the Journal of Drugs and Dermatology several months ago, of which I’m sure you are aware. Are there any thoughts about this article? or about the Journal?

Link: Hair regrowth following a Wnt- and follistatin containing treatment

Sounds interesting. It was published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, which is a peer-reviewed publication that has been around for a little over a decade.

As for the study — this looks like it might’ve been a pilot study, and consists of only 26 participants. Clinical application and mainstream treatment remain to be seen.

Snippet from the press release:

Bald is beautiful. MGA Entertainment Canada will launch a new range of hairless Bratz® dolls this summer at Toys”R”Us, Canada to support children dealing with hair loss due to illnesses such as cancer and alopecia, donating a portion of every sale to Starlight Children’s Foundation.

Under the banner True Hope Bratz®, MGA will release hairless versions of its hit dolls Cloe™, Yasmin™ and Cameron™, who will each come with one hat, a second outfit and a beaded bracelet.

Read the rest — Bratz dolls go bald to support kids battling illnesses

Following in the footsteps of the bald Barbie doll for kids battling hair loss, the Bratz dolls will be produced without hair in Canada. I’ve only seen the announcement about the dolls being released in Canada, so no word on the rest of North America.

While I realize that a bald doll isn’t something most of the readers of this site are interested in, I know we have some visitors that are parents of children battling various hair loss causing illnesses.

I find it hard to believe that the only two FDA approved medications for balding were both approved over 20 years ago. How come there has been such little real progress since then? Is balding considered a “solved problem” due to the current status quo (surgery + finasteride/minoxidil)?

Why can’t we routinely exceed the sound barrier when we fly, since after all, the airplane was invented 110 years ago? If you answer this question, you might better understand that it does take time to find a cure for balding. Many groups from around the world are working hard on a cure or a better treatment, and I suspect that it will arrive when it is ready. The FDA process for such treatments may take years to obtain the approvals needed for human use.

What does Ultherapy do to hair follicles?

I am very curious what effect the FDA approved Ultherapy has on the follicles at the frontal hair line. Ultherapy is said to stimulate collagen in the deep layers of the skin.

Can this procedure possibly hurt follicles, invigorate them or just not affect them at all?

i would very much appreciate your opinion on this. Thanks!

I hadn’t heard of Ultherapy before, but it appears to be a skin tightening / lifting procedure. After reading that the FDA approved the technology, that must mean that it is safe and effective, but I am not sure what that means from a practical point of view. It appears that the focus is on collagen changes and stimulation, but again I am not sure what that means either. They do not say it helps grow hair, just that it heats up the deeper level of the skin where the collagen is.

My question regards green tea. We all know – or should know by now – that green tea is packed with great nutrients and health benefits, but how about hair loss. It’s hard to find a proper answer. Some sources say it reduces DHT, some say it increases it. What’s your view? Many, many thanks, it’d be great to enjoy my cup of green tea again without worrying.

We’ve answered a similar question before — here.

In my opinion, green tea doesn’t cause or prevent hair loss. I am sure if you do enough research on the web you will find conflicting reports on almost anything. You can continue enjoying your cup of green tea.

Dr. Rassman / Dr. Pak,

Oops… faux pas! Why is it considered socially acceptable for women to openly discuss a man’s balding pate, often at some length and in excruciating detail, but should a man happen to discreetly mention to a woman, ‘Your butt looks a bit big in that dress’, he can confidently expect to be crucified?!

Good humour might not be the panacea but surely it’s a constituent.

Happy Easter!

Redesigned NHI website is excellent!

I’m not going to claim to completely comprehend why some topics are more socially acceptable to talk about than others. Perhaps men are expected to be less sensitive and able to take criticism of their appearance. Any sociology majors out there have a theory to add?

Your observation about men and women is noted. And thanks for your kind words about our redesigned site.

Doctor Rassman the propecia website is back up again. looks better. Propecia.com

Well, I guess they were due for a face lift. I’m assuming there is a new batch of conspiracy theories floating around as to why the site is up again.

(Speaking of redesigned sites, we just launched a redesign of the NHI website.)