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| Potential new cure found for baldness | Potential new cure found for baldness |
| (about 13 hours later) | |
| A potential new cure for baldness has been discovered using a drug originally intended to treat osteoporosis. | A potential new cure for baldness has been discovered using a drug originally intended to treat osteoporosis. |
| Researchers found the drug had a dramatic effect on hair follicles in the lab, stimulating them to grow. | |
| It contains a compound which targets a protein that acts as a brake on hair growth and plays a role in baldness. | |
| Project leader Dr Nathan Hawkshaw, from the University of Manchester, said it could "make a real difference to people who suffer from hair loss". | |
| Only two drugs are currently available to treat balding (androgenetic alopecia): | Only two drugs are currently available to treat balding (androgenetic alopecia): |
| Neither is available on the NHS and both have side-effects and are not always very effective, so patients often resort to hair transplantation surgery instead. | Neither is available on the NHS and both have side-effects and are not always very effective, so patients often resort to hair transplantation surgery instead. |
| The research, published in PLOS Biology, was done in a lab, with samples containing scalp hair follicles from more than 40 male hair-transplant patients. | The research, published in PLOS Biology, was done in a lab, with samples containing scalp hair follicles from more than 40 male hair-transplant patients. |
| And Dr Hawkshaw told the BBC a clinical trial would be needed to see if the treatment was effective and safe in people. | And Dr Hawkshaw told the BBC a clinical trial would be needed to see if the treatment was effective and safe in people. |
| What causes hair loss? | What causes hair loss? |
| Hair loss is a daily occurrence and generally nothing to worry about. Some types are temporary and some are permanent. | Hair loss is a daily occurrence and generally nothing to worry about. Some types are temporary and some are permanent. |
| You should see a doctor because of: | You should see a doctor because of: |
| Source: NHS Choices | Source: NHS Choices |
| A British Association of Dermatologists spokesman told the BBC: "This is a very interesting study. | A British Association of Dermatologists spokesman told the BBC: "This is a very interesting study. |
| "As the researchers say, hair loss is a common disorder and it can cause considerable damage to emotional health, including loss of self-esteem and confidence. | "As the researchers say, hair loss is a common disorder and it can cause considerable damage to emotional health, including loss of self-esteem and confidence. |
| "That said, more research will need to be done before it can be used by people with hair loss. | "That said, more research will need to be done before it can be used by people with hair loss. |
| "For individuals with hair loss, treatments can be very hit and miss. There isn't one which is universally effective. | "For individuals with hair loss, treatments can be very hit and miss. There isn't one which is universally effective. |
| "For that reason new treatments are exciting as they give people more treatment options that may be effective." | "For that reason new treatments are exciting as they give people more treatment options that may be effective." |