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P2RY5 is the cause of hair loss

03.03.2008 in HAIR LOSS SCIENCE

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RESEARCHERS have found the genetic basis of two distinct forms of inherited hair loss, opening a broad path to treatments for thinning locks, according to a recent pair of studies.

Geneticist Regina Betz of the University of Bonn and her colleagues hunted down a gene P2RY5 that causes a rare, inherited form of hair loss called Hypotrichosis simplex. They found their quarry, after six years of research, among families in Saudi Arabia. It is the first receptor in humans known to play a role in hair growth, according to the study.

The disease affects both men and women, who begin to go bald during childhood.

At fault is a genetic defect that prevents certain receptors on the surface of hair follicle cells from being correctly formed.

For the hair follicle to function normally, messengers must bind to these receptors, triggering a chain reaction in the cell interior. The fact that a receptor plays a specific role in hair growth was previously unknown to scientists.

“We can now search selectively for related substances that may be used in therapies for very different types of hair loss,” said a researcher.

In the other study, Angela Christiano of Columbia University lead a team that found another mutation of the same gene that results in “woolly hair” — sparse, dry and tightly curled hair over the entire scalp.

Examining families in Pakistan, the researchers determined that the mutation is expressed in the inner root sheath of hair follicles, which anchor and shape individual hairs.

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Hair Loss During Military Duty Merits Compensation

28.02.2008 in HAIR LOSS FACTS

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If a solider incurs illness causing hair loss during mandatory military service, should the nation compensate him or not? A court ruled the government should recognize him as a man of merit so that he can be entitled to some benefits provided by the government.

A 26-year-old man, Kwon, who joined the army in December 2002, had three patches of circular balding in July, 2004, while he was training in hot weather. But he could not take immediate treatments as he was on a 10-day exercise. He received treatment after training but had lost about 80 percent of his hair.

After his condition showed no improvement, Kwon was hospitalized for better treatment, from November that year through January 2005 when he was discharged from military service.

The hair loss has expanded to his whole body since, including his eyebrows.

After the discharge, Kwon filed an application to the regional office of the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs to be recognized as a national meritorious man, saying he got the depilatory disease due to stress from the military service, including having to wear helmets in sultry weather.

But the office rejected his application in April 2006, saying the disorder was unrelated to military duty.

Kwon filed a suit with a district court in Suwon, and the local court ruled in his favor. “The hair loss seems to have occurred due to stress from his duties, considering symptoms appeared 21 months after entering the army and he did not have any diseases which may have caused the balding,” the court said in the ruling.

Similar suits are expected to follow, as Kwon said two of his peers had circular hair loss as well during training.

Once recognized as a person of national merit, one is eligible to a national pension and various other government benefits.

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HairMax LaserComb: Patient Information

27.02.2008 in Uncategorized

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 INTRODUCTION

Some say it is the hair that makes the man or the woman; it’s been called our crowning glory and defines our style, framing our personal presentation. For many people, losing their hair is a frustrating experience.

Thanks to the HairMax LaserComb®, there is now well founded hope for those suffering from hair loss and thinning hair.

Lexington International, LLC began developmental work on Laser PhotoTherapy over 20 years ago in Australia. Since then, the company has been at the forefront of this emerging technology. In 2001, the HairMax was introduced to the market and, from its inception, over 90% HairMax users are satisfied with their results.

In 2007, the HairMax received clearance by the US FDA for the Promotion of Hair Growth in males with certain classes of Androgenetic Alopecia (male pattern baldness). The HairMax is marketed in 90 countries and is the first and only medical device ever cleared by the FDA for “Promotion of Hair Growth”.

The handheld HairMax is available without a prescription and is a one time cost that delivers long term benefits. It is portable, easy to use, requires only three treatments per week. HairMax is even described as “therapeutic” or “soothing” by many of its users.

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How the HairMax Works

The HairMax works via the principle of Photo-BioStimulation, a process by which laser energy is delivered to the hair follicle. While the exact mechanism of action is unknown, it is hypothesized that Laser PhotoTherapy stimulates growth factors within the hair follicle.

Some users report stabilization of hair fallout at the onset of treatment followed by subsequent faster and thicker new hair growth. This points to the fact that the HairMax effectively targets the hair follicle at the cellular level and in some way both speeds up the hair growth process while at the same time inducing the growth of a thicker (or terminal) hair where a thin, dying hair may have been in place previously.

PATIENT CANDIDATES 

Your physician will discuss with you whether the HairMax is appropriate for treating your condition.

INDICATIONS FOR USE

The HairMax LaserComb is indicated to promote hair growth in males with androgenetic alopecia who have Norwood Hamilton Classifications of IIa to V and Fitzpatrick Skin Types I to IV.

(Studies on the use of the HairMax LaserComb in women have just been completed.)

STUDIES DEMONSTRATING

HairMax EFFECIVENESS

A clinical trial in support of the FDA submission was designed and conducted as a multicenter, randomized, sham-device controlled trial. It was conducted under strict GCP (Good Clinical Practices) guidelines and was overseen by an IRB (Independent Review Board).

The primary aim of the study was to assess the following:

promotion of hair growth
cessation of hair loss
changes in hair density
scalp overall health
safety

Study subjects used the HairMax three times per week on non-concurrent days for a total of 26 weeks. Hair density measurements were recorded at baseline and at 26 weeks, with additional clinical visits taking place at 8 and 16 weeks.

CLINICAL RESULTS

Subjects in the HairMax treatment group demonstrated a significantly greater increase in hair density (+19.80 cm2) than subjects in the placebo (sham-device) group (-7.60 cm2). Subjects in the HairMax group also had significantly better self assessments of overall hair health and regrowth than subjects in the placebo group.

There were no reports of adverse side effects from any of the subjects.

You can buy the HairMax LaserComb direct from us:

HairMax LaserComb Premier Model £335.00 RRP

HairMax LaserComb Compact SE Model £245.00 RRP

Do you have Hair Loss Problems, read our Hair Loss Help

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Hair Loss: What You Need To Know

27.02.2008 in TRICHOLOGIST

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There are several myths about the causes of hair loss. At one time or another, we have been told or have heard of stories that hair loss is caused by poor circulation of the scalp due to excessive wearing of a hat! In some instances, we would blame baldness on lack of vitamins and minerals or even to dandruff. Well, you can forget all these theories about hair loss and baldness because these have been proven to be untrue by medical studies. You don’t get bald by wearing a hat, so forget it; you can wear that hat anytime you want.

According to medical studies, hair loss can be attributed the persons genetic composition. This means that where you family line have bald women and men in its history, you are most likely to suffer hair loss. This type of hair loss is what medical people refer to as androgenetic alopecia or the common baldness. Androgenic alopecia is usually a permanent type of hair loss and runs in the family line. As a type of hereditary condition, this could mean that you start to experience baldness as early as your teen years. It is actually a slow process and the baldness would gradually become noticeable as you grow older. In men, hair loss may start at the temples and the crown and would spread to the other areas of the head. However women with androgenic alopecia would usually have hair loss limited to thinning of the hair around the areas of the front of the head, the sides and the crown. Very few women would go bald all the way like men.

Do you have Hair Loss Problems, read our Hair Loss Help

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Hair Loss Gene Identified

26.02.2008 in HAIR LOSS SCIENCE

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People anxious over their hair loss might not need to worry anymore, for a gene that prevents regeneration of hair has been identified – opening a broad path to treatments for thinning locks.

A healthy individual loses about 100 strands of hair daily, with losses occurring evenly around the whole scalp. However, this hair is replaced.

The problem begins when the shedding goes beyond that number, and replacement lags.

Now, after six years of study, researchers at the University of Bonn have identified a gene that causes a rare hereditary form of hair loss – Hypotrichosis simplex – throwing open the possibility of regenerating hair.

These researchers are the first to identify a receptor that plays a role in hair growth. They now hope that their research findings will lead to new therapies that will work with various forms of hair loss.

“Although Hypotrichosis simplex is very uncommon, it may prove critical in our search for an understanding of the mechanisms of hair growth,” Nature quoted project leader Dr. Regina Betz from Bonn’s Institute of Human Genetics, as saying.

At fault is a genetic defect that prevents certain receptors on the surface of hair follicle cells from being correctly formed.

For the hair follicle to function normally, messengers must bind to these receptors, triggering a chain reaction in the cell interior.

The fact that a receptor plays a specific role in hair growth was previously unknown.

Professor Dr. Markus Nothen, who holds the Chair of Genetic Medicine at Bonn University’s Life & Brain Centre, said: “The defective receptor structure falls into the category of what are known as G-protein-coupled receptors.”

This is good news, Dr Nothen says, because, “they are particularly well suited as points of impact for drug treatments.”

The researchers have also been able to find an endogenous messenger that binds in the hair follicle to the receptor, which opens up opportunities for developing new active agents.

As part of the study, another member of the project team, dermatologist Khalid Al Aboud of the King Faisal Hospital in Makkah examined a Saudi Arabian family with Hypotrichosis simplex.

DNA samples from the parents and from nine of their 10 children – including four sufferers – were analysed, providing the researchers the key to understanding some of the fundamental mechanisms of hair growth and loss.

The researchers now hope that this individual genetic case will lead to developments that can benefit more patients.

The study is due to appear in the March edition of Nature Genetics.

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