Thursday, December 5, 2013

New Research on Hair Restoration or Growth, 2013


I mentioned new hair growth research in my Update blog post dated November 14, 2013. I Tweeted about it that day. If you missed it, it can be a challenge to find now. I keep my own Twitter archive to access research I find, as well as keep separate files for it.


Here is the study abstract, http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2013/10/16/1309970110 - Full text is available too!


More about the study can be found here, http://newsroom.cumc.columbia.edu/blog/2013/10/21/hair-regeneration-method-is-first-to-induce-new-human-hair-growth/


The study abstract was not available online at the time the above article and others about the study were written. I prefer to see what is written in a study or abstract, as well as what is written about it, before I comment on it.


The following is from my Twitter account, and expanded on here.


The new research explains a lot in my opinion, and why herbal products that seemed promising in rodent studies did not translate to human results.


I wrote about one such product in 2008, hhttp://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=8939&p=198531&viewfull=1#post198531 but urged caution on results even then. And sure enough I have since heard from people who have tried the product in various versions and mixes with no hair growth results.


Eclipta alba showed promise after results on mice in 2009, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19481595

Eclipta alba has still NOT been proven to increase hair growth in humans. Animal testing continues. 

PRELIMINARY
2015 

Email Reply: Eclipta alba study
Yes, it is often not noted. The studies are done on concentrated extracts of certain fractions of plants. And when and IF such extracts work - they will be regulated as DRUGS for human use - with safety protocols in place.


Ginger did not work on human hair growth here, just the opposite. 
There are those who sell herbal products based on early rodent studies, single human studies, and traditions which have not borne out in later research. That is purely about money! Cosmetic products enhance appearance, moisturize, condition, and can add color. Don't expect more because of misleading or false advertising, which are violations of marketing regulations.

It is not that some herbal products are not helpful used cosmetically. However, with no repeated reputable scientific evidence, marketing claims are restricted. That applies to claims about body functions like promoting or stimulating hair growth, which are drug claims. 

That also applies to anti-ageing cosmetic marketing claims,
2016 http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cms_ia/importalert_188.html

2016, Bolding of text by me

http://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/complianceenforcement/warningletters/ucm081086.htm
"drug claims cited ... wrinkle removal, dandruff treatment, hair restoration, and eyelash growth."

Different countries have similar if not the same marketing claim restrictions, designed to protect consumers. They apply to natural oils said to promote, stimulate, or encourage hair growth too.