Hair re-growth study Dereje ( Dre ) Yalew /MD,IMG/ Observational Case Study Hair Re-Growth Program using an Electro Stimulator

Background review The basic hair follicle structure remains the same throughout the range of a life time of a person with modification of specialized functions. The hair follicle is considered a separate entity with in the skin, with formation and maintenance based on interaction between dermal and epidermal components which are the layers of the skin. The center of the hair follicle, dermal papilla (DP) is the heart of the hair follicle responsible for directing and dictating the embryonic generation of hair follicles. It retains this ability throughout the life of the hair follicle. It also interacts with the adult’s epidermis to induce the development of new hair follicles and permits the hair follicle’s cycle of growth and resting (Dormant) phase. There are three main phases of the hair growth cycle, 1st phase which is the active phase with growth initiation and maximum follicle length, 2nd phase consisting of a period of controlled regression of the hair follicle 3rd phase or the resting phase is a dormant stage where the dermal papilla is isolated from the dermal layer and hair easily pulled out by combing and brushing. In these cycles hair grows about ½ inch per month in non-thinning areas and usually considerably slower in thinning areas. The average growth cycle takes about 2-3 months.

General principle General principle Based on the scientific explanation, stimulating the dermal layer to make connection with the isolated DP, it is possible to revert the resting phase to the more active phase of the hair growth and prevent further hair loss with the hair getting thicker and longer each time.

The purpose of the therapy is to: 1/Stimulate the resting follicle stage by increasing the local blood supply 2/Physically activate hair follicles leading to accelerated growth, reduced hair loss and regeneration of functional hair follicle structures. 3/Study the efficacy of the therapy and develop specific hair growth therapy protocol.

Significance of the therapy:- The therapy is believed to have significant efficacy considering there has not been any effective and non invasive hair re- growth treatment

Factors influencing the out come of therapy Nutrition Drugs Cosmetics Scarring Scalp disease Radiation Genetics Level of physical and emotional stress Duration of hair loss

Note - Clients with severe scalp disease and scaring were not included in the study

Classification of hair loss Class 1 - No hair loss with normal re-growth Class 2 - Hair loss with no evident thinning (loss more than 100 hair/day) Class 3 - Hair loss with generalized evident thinning (scalp visible) Class 4 - Temporal recession and/or vertex thinning Class 5 - Temporal recession and vertex (crown) balding with thin layer of hair Class 6 - Frontal and vertex baldness with thin bridge in between Class 7 - Total frontal and vertex baldness no bridge in between

Categories Nine clients were categorized according to the class of there hair loss One with class 7 hair loss Six with class 5 hair loss Two with class 3 hair loss

Pre therapy evaluation Duration of experiencing hair loss ranges from 2 to 35 years Pre therapy high quality digital images of scalp were taken for each client for comparison (same camera, place, and contrast) Daily hair loss observation advised (lost hairs count if possible)

Therapy sessions / Procedure Each session took 20 minutes of stimulation: Two visits per week on average (ranging from once a week to 3 times per week) conducted for average of 15 therapy sessions for each client Divided in 100 minutes, 200 minutes and 300 minutes An electro stimulator was used as an instrument

Side effects Mild redness of the scalp observed after therapy in some cases No side effects or counterproductive out- comes

Outcome evaluation Evaluation was done at 100, 200 and 300 minutes intervals The outcomes of the therapy were graded as: Grade 1 - Slight growth and/or reduced hair loss (observed by practitioner) Grade 2 - Noticeable growth and/or reduced hair loss (observed by the clients and practitioner) Grade 3 - Marked growth and/or reduced hair loss (observed by the clients and practitioner) Grade 4 - Significant growth and/or reduced hair loss (observed by clients and picture comparison) Grade 5 - Complete growth and/or reduced hair loss (observed by clients and practitioner)

Out come cont.. 100% of all the participants showed some extent of hair growth or/and reduced hair loss Slight to marked grades are noticed 60% of all included in the study group had -Scalp dryness, -poor dietary habits -some physical and/or emotional stress

Outcome cont… After the first 100 minutes of therapy 55% showed slight growth and/or reduced daily hair loss. After 200 minutes - 22% showed marked growth (grade 4), 22% showed significant growth (grade 3), 22% showed noticeable growth (grade 2) and 22% showed slight growth (grade 1) After 300 minutes - 40% showed marked growth and 60% showed significant growth and/or reduction in hair loss

Discussion / Conclusion For class 3 to class 5 hair loss categories 67% showed significant to marked hair growth For class 7 hair loss category 23% showed slight acceleration of growth on existing hair Despite the scalp dryness and poor dietary habits with 60% of the clients, no significant effect was seen in the patterns of hair growth Most of the slow growth pattern was seen in clients with prolonged time of hair loss (greater than 10 years). The outcome is also believed to be negatively influenced by the level of emotional and physical stress experienced during the course of therapy The number and time of the therapy sessions given and the consistent regular application of the latter determined the outcome The average time to see noticeable hair growth and/or reduction in hair loss is at least 300 minutes The electro stimulator therapy showed remarkable results during and after the course of this study and would benefit anyone with hair loss

Recommendation 1.Consider a therapeutic protocol manual 2.Consider further comprehensive studies 3.Consider a much bigger sample 4.Consider promotion of the unit

Compiled by Dr. Dereje M. Yalew (IMG) December 6, 2009