New Microneedle Patches Help Reverse Baldness

Highlights:

New microneedle patches could help reverse baldness and promote hair growth in androgenic alopecia patients
Androgenic alopecia (male or female baldness) is one of the most common types of hair loss
Lack of nutrient-delivering blood vessels and presence of reactive oxygen species are the leading causes for androgenic alopecia
Ceria nanozyme-integrated microneedle patches scavenge excessive reactive oxygen species and remodel tiny blood vessels in the balding region

Baldness can be reversed if its root causes are cleared out, emphasizes recent research. Researchers have now designed dissolvable microneedle patches with cerium nanoparticles that help regrow hair in those who suffer from androgenic alopecia.

Hair Loss - Symptom Evaluation
A normal hair goes through three phases, the anagen phase, the catagen phase and the telogen phase.

‘New microneedle patches made of cerium nanoparticles and hyaluronic acid possess excellent mechanical strength. They promote hair growth in bald spots by scavenging excessive reactive oxygen species and remodeling blood vessels in the balding region.’
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Androgenic Alopecia - The Most Common Type of Hair Loss

Androgenic alopecia (male- or female- pattern baldness) is a common hair loss condition that starts as early as teens, and risks increase with age. In women, it occurs most likely after menopause. It affects an estimated 50 million men and 30 million women in the United States.

This condition occurs primarily because of the lack of enough blood vessels that deliver nutrients, cytokines, and other essential molecules into the hair follicles. Apart from this, some highly reactive chemical substances arising from the molecular oxygen called "reactive oxygen species" can also trigger the death of cells involved in the formation of new hair.

Although an array of over-the-counter remedies are available for androgenic alopecia, most of them do not focus on the primary causes.

Hair Loss in Women
Hair loss or Alopecia can be emotionally devastating to women but understanding reasons behind hair loss can help in prevention and treatment of hair loss.

Effect of Novel Microneedle Patches on Bald Spots

The researchers coated cerium nanoparticles on a biodegradable compound made of polyethylene glycol and lipids in the current study. Then they mixed up this with hyaluronic acid. Finally, they made microneedle patches by pouring this mixture into a mold.

When these patches were applied on male mice with bald spots, the skin around those areas started to attain earlier skin pigmentation and produced higher levels of a compound that boosts the development of new hair. The mice under test also had lesser oxidative stress compounds in their skin.

Compared with minoxidil, a widely used clinical drug to treat alopecia, the newly designed microneedle patches accelerated hair regeneration at a lower administration frequency without inducing significant skin damage.

Top 10 Beauty Tips to Prevent Hair Loss
Natural beauty tips can prevent hair loss caused due to incorrect lifestyle habits. Reverse hair fall by following a regular hair care routine and avoid chemicals.

How Do These Microneedle Patches Reverse Baldness?

The new dissolvable microneedle patches with excellent mechanical strength can mimic some enzymes called catalase and superoxide dismutase, which scavenge excessive reactive oxygen species.

The administration of the patches also induces a mechanical stimulation that can remodel the system of tiny blood vessels in the balding region.

"Microneedle patches that introduce cerium nanoparticles into the skin are a promising strategy to reverse balding for androgenetic alopecia patients," concluded the researchers.

Does Stress Cause Hair loss?
Hair loss due to stress can be a cause for anxiety. Stress causes telogen effluvium, trichotillomania, or alopecia areata.

Hair Loss Prevention: Easy Tips to Help Reduce Hair Loss

Use a gentle shampoo. Apply a moisturizing conditioner after every shampoo.
Eat healthy, include protein and iron-rich foods in your diet
Take multivitamin, and biotin supplements
Avoid brushing wet hair
Keep yourself hydrated
Avoid smoking and alcohol
Practice meditation

References :

Anran Yuan, Fan Xia, Qiong Bian, Haibin Wu, Yueting Gu, Tao Wang, Ruxuan Wang, Lingling Huang, Qiaoling Huang, Yuefeng Rao, Daishun Ling, Fangyuan Li, Jianqing Gao. Ceria Nanozyme-Integrated Microneedles Reshape the Perifollicular Microenvironment for Androgenetic Alopecia Treatment. ACS Nano, 2021; DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.1c05272
Androgenetic alopecia - (https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/androgenetic-alopecia/#frequency)

Source-Medindia