Experts have made a discovery about hair removal that could be revolutionary for the industry.
According to an article published in the National Library of Medicine, androgenetic alopecia (MAA) is the most common form of hair loss in men, affecting 30-50 percent of men by the age of 50.
Scientists have discovered that a sugar that occurs naturally in the human body, 2-deoxy-D-ribose (2dDR), may work wonders in solving this problem.
A study published in the medical journal Frontiers in Pharmacology found that the natural sugar treatment is as effective as current treatments approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and has fewer side effects.
Male pattern baldness (MAA) affects 30-50% of men by age 50.
Getty Images
Study co-author Professor Sheila McNeill revealed that despite the widespread nature of the problem, there are currently only two FDA-approved treatments.
She said: “Our research suggests that the answer to treating hair loss may be simple: using natural deoxyribose sugar to increase blood supply to hair follicles and stimulate hair growth,” reported BBC Science Focus.
The idea that 2dDR could have a dramatic effect on people suffering from alopecia came about as a serendipitous discovery.
During a study on wound healing, the team noticed accelerated hair growth around areas with 2dDR, which led the researchers to hypothesize that it may have a direct positive effect on hair follicles.
The theory was tested in mice alongside minoxidil, an FDA-approved hair loss treatment, and the results suggested the effectiveness of 2dDR.
Its aptitude lies in its ability to stimulate the growth of blood vessels necessary for healthy hair follicles. By increasing blood flow to the scalp, it helps to activate dormant hair follicles.
In fact, 2dDR treatment has been proven to be 80-90 percent as effective as minoxidil in promoting hair growth. Plus, 2dDR doesn’t have the same side effects as minoxidil.
Minoxidil (the active ingredient in treatments like Rogaine and Celoxidil) is effective but can cause side effects like scalp irritation and isn’t suitable for everyone.
On the other hand, 2dDR is a substance that occurs naturally in the human body, so it may have fewer side effects for users and a wider range of applications.
Professor Muhammad Yar vouched for the accessibility of 2dDR. He said: “This pro-angiogenic deoxyribose sugar is naturally occurring, inexpensive, stable and has been demonstrated to be deliverable through a variety of carrier gels and dressings.”
Latest developments:
2dDR may be a ‘cheap and stable’ treatment to combat alopecia
Getty Images
On the 2dDR Hair website, you can buy the 2DDR Basic and free derma roller for $59.99 (around £45), but the 2DDR Advanced and free derma roller will cost you $149.99 (around £113).
The treatment is a cheaper solution than NHS recommended hair transplant surgery, which can cost between £1,000 and £30,000 in the UK.
Some may want a quick fix solution such as a hair replacement system, where real human hair or synthetically created hair is attached to a base material to cover the areas of the scalp where hair is lost. This innovation can give men a fresh start.
Speaking about the effectiveness of 2dDR, Dr Claire Higgins, a tissue regeneration researcher at Imperial College London, told BBC Science Focus: “Their theory stems from an urban legend that increased blood flow promotes hair growth.”
“Minoxidil, used to treat male pattern baldness, increases blood flow but also has other effects on the skin and hair. The link between blood flow and hair growth has not been clearly proven.”
She argued that while the results in mice were promising, she wanted to see the effects on human hair growth, root size and shaft thickness before getting “too excited” about this potential treatment.
