New genetic baldness treatment offers hope

Scientists at the University of Pennsylvania lead by Dr George Costarelis believe they may have found the reason why we go bald. Dr Costarelis and his dermatological team have discovered the enzyme Prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) that is responsible for preventing hair follicles from maturing. The link between genetics and baldness has long been common knowledge but the cause has not.

When the team analysed the scalps of balding men, they found levels of PDG2 to be three times higher in areas in which the hair was thinning. The research suggests that PGD2 prevents the follicle cells from maturing, so blocking PGD2 would allow the hair to grow again.  Dr Costarelis found that bald men have cells capable of making hair, which adds weight to the argument that PGD2 is responsible for stopping otherwise healthy, capable cells of producing hair.

Back in March 2012 the journal Science Translational Medicine reported that in tests on mice the compound PGD2 stunted hair growth. Drugs that block this protein are already on the market as they are used to treat asthma and allergies, and that is good news according to Dr Costarelis: “The nice thing about dermatology and hair loss in general is that you can take compounds that maybe are being used as a pill, and put them into a topical formulation.”

Dr Costarelis went on to add: “We certainly think it would be good at preventing hair loss but we don’t know for sure that it would regrow”. Dr Costarelis has also announced this week that he is in talks with several pharmaceutical companies about developing a treatment that he says: “could be available in two years”.

Lab tests suggest the treatment may also help women who are losing their hair. Female hair loss carries an even greater stigma than the male condition, but is not as uncommon as many people believe. About 40 per cent of women suffer from some form of hair loss as a result of hormone changes during menopause.

For men this number is significantly higher, by the age of 50 nearly half of all men have some degree of male pattern baldness, a number which rockets to 70 per cent by the age of 70. It also seems that being famous or even royal doesn’t protect you from baldness. As we reported back in July 2012 Wayne Rooney and Louis Walsh have both undergone hair transplant procedures and in the news today Doctor Asim Shahmalak has predicted Prince William will be bald by the time he is 40.

While celebrities have undergone hair transplant procedures, these remain out of reach for most people due to their high price. In the meantime before this PGD2 blocker is released onto the market, there are licensed products on the market such as Propecia (Finasteride) and Regaine (Minoxydil) that have both been clinically proven to help with male hair loss.

Justin Bieber says Prince William should use Propecia to fight his hair loss

Canadian pop superstar Justin Bieber is perhaps not famously renowned for his medical knowledge or hair loss expertise. Despite this, it has not stopped the teen icon from offering his words of wisdom on the rapidly diminishing mane of Prince William and urging him to use the effective hair restoration medication, Propecia.

The 18-year-old ‘Boyfriend’ singer made his jibes about the balding 30-year-old Prince when  speaking to Rollercoaster magazine during a recent promotional trip to the UK in support of his ‘Believe’ album.

Bieber first emerged into the global spotlight back in 2008 after being discovered via his uploaded home videos on YouTube. Part of Bieber’s popularity was somewhat due to his baby-faced good looks, and luxurious flowing locks which he initially had stylised into a bowl-shaped cut upon his breakthrough. However, for the previous two years Bieber has sported a much shorter spiked-up quiff after causing a massive media sensation in 2010 when he decided to get rid of his longer hair.

Whereas Bieber can grow his hair back should he wish to do so, Prince William has been losing his hair an alarming rate in recent years and where hair is concerned, he has evidently taken after his father Prince Charles and uncle Prince Edward who are both suffering with male pattern baldness (MPB).

For the interview in Rollercoaster Magazine, Bieber was quizzed about what he would do if he started to lose his locks to MPB and his hair started to thin like the young Prince’s. Justin said, “I mean, there are things to prevent that nowadays, like Propecia. I don’t know why he doesn’t just get those things, those products. You just take Propecia and your hair grows back. Have you not got it over here?”

In reply to Justin’s question; yes we do have Propecia ‘over here’ and it is obtainable today from Medical Specialists Pharmacy working out from as little as £47.58 per month. The medication Propecia (finasteride) is commonly used to treat male pattern baldness and works by blocking the conversion of testosterone to an androgen thought to cause hair loss. Its effectiveness and popularity are obvious when even a teenage pop star with a full head of hair is aware of its existence!

With Male pattern baldness affecting 6.5 million men in the UK alone, Medical Specialists are committed to doing everything we can to help. Other options as well as Propecia, include Regaine Foam, as seen on television adverts. Obtainable from Medical Specialists Pharmacy from as little as £46.45, this product contains the active ingredient Minoxidil which is clinically proven to help prevent further hereditary hair loss, showing success in 4 out of 5 men. It works by increasing the blood supply to the hair follicles which helps to strengthen existing hair and stimulate secondary hair growth.

There are also emerging over the counter products that have been released in recent times. Alpecin Caffeine C1 Shampoo stimulates hair growth directly at the roots, strengthens weakened hair roots and prevents hereditary hair loss. In just in 2 minutes, the active ingredient travels along the hair shaft directly into the hair follicles. If the shampoo is left on for longer, the caffeine will also penetrate into the scalp.

When leading Trichologist David Bailey was asked about Bieber comments, he said, “Well it would seem obvious from his comments that he knows all about Male Pattern Hair Loss! How does he know whether the Prince is already taking Propecia or not? As the manufacturer clearly states, it works in the majority of men, but not all. Also, not everybody can take Propecia, they have to have it prescribed by a Doctor after a consultation.”