Hair loss is very common, but that doesn’t mean it’s an easy thing to accept. People with genetic or health-related baldness understandably feel embarrassed and helpless as they watch their strands fall out. Whether your thinning hair stems from a genetic or stress-related cause, you have more treatment options than you might realize.
Existing hair loss products and treatments work quite well for many people. Still, some individuals don’t experience lasting hair regrowth with existing solutions. Fortunately, researchers are busy coming up with new, technologically advanced solutions for the prevalent balding problem. Here are five promising advancements in the world of hair loss treatment to keep an eye on in the coming years.
1. New Topical Products
Products like topical finasteride and minoxidil have been available for a while. They are both FDA-approved for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia (also known as male or female pattern hair loss). These products have a long history of effective use. When used as directed, they deliver exceptional hair regrowth results for many people. However, there are other drugs in the works that aim to stimulate hair regrowth in new ways.
One topical hair loss drug that’s still being developed contains osteopontin. This is a protein that may stimulate hair growth. Interestingly, some derivatives of osteopontin can also inhibit hair growth. Researchers claim they have discovered a stimulating derivative that may change the future of hair regrowth products. It interacts with a hair stem cell receptor molecule called CD44 to stimulate vigorous hair growth.
2. Bioengineered Hair
The future of hair cloning may be here much faster than you think. Bioengineered hair may soon be grown in a laboratory from stem cells. So far, preclinical studies show that hair can be regenerated from mouse stem cells. However, no human trials have been done yet. Researchers are waiting to start clinical tests on human hair follicles. Many people experiencing balding are anxiously awaiting the results.
If studies reveal that human hair can be cloned, it will have a remarkable impact on the hair regrowth industry. Hair transplants will no longer need to be removed from the back of a donor’s head. Instead, patients will be able to receive bioengineered hair implants made from their own stem cells. This will allow them to retain the precious follicles they do have while receiving cloned follicles where they need them.
3. Platelet-Rich Plasma
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a promising hair loss treatment. It is commonly utilized to treat skin conditions and musculoskeletal conditions. More recently, researchers have discovered that this cutting-edge treatment may also help stimulate hair regrowth. PRP has up to five times the concentration of platelets found in regular blood. These platelets aid in tissue regrowth and help heal wounds.
Once injected into the scalp, it’s thought that platelets stimulate dermal papilla cells at the base of hair follicles. These cells are critical to hair growth. Research shows that PRP may deliver the best results when combined with other proven hair loss treatments. For example, some doctors recommend PRP in combination with oral finasteride or topical minoxidil. You may need to play around with different treatment combinations to find one that’s most effective for hair regrowth.
4. Laser Hair Growth Devices
Laser hair growth isn’t necessarily a new thing. However, the leading-edge technology is now being developed into at-home hair regrowth tools. This could be revolutionary for people who don’t want to go to a doctor or medspa for their hair treatments. Most of the at-home laser hair treatment products on the market use precision LED lights to stimulate hair follicles.
You can currently find LED combs, brushes, and headbands. They are easy to use and provide targeted treatments. There are even low-level light therapy hats that allow you to inconspicuously treat your hair loss. Currently, there is little evidence to prove these devices work on their own. However, users report good results when they use these devices in combination with (PRP) treatments.
5. Airbrush Root Cover Up Pigments
If other treatments fail, the next step may be to cover up your hair loss so it’s not as noticeable. There are many ways to do this, from wearing ball caps wherever you go to investing in a hairpiece. Some people are very satisfied with these solutions, especially if they want to avoid hair transplant surgery.
There is now an innovative new way to cover up signs of hair thinning. Airbrush root coverup pigments use air delivery technology to provide the illusion of fuller, thicker hair. It’s basically airbrush makeup that you apply to visible areas on your scalp. It’s one of the easiest and most natural root coverup methods out there. Users can simply wash it off at the end of the day, just as one would remove their daily makeup.
Hair loss is a challenging problem to deal with, but it can be overcome. Many treatments currently on the market are highly effective at regrowing hair or at least slowing its rate of loss. But it’s exciting to know that cutting-edge new treatments are also being developed. Watch for some of these innovative treatments to come out over the next few years.