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Drug from glaucoma will save against alopecia
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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If you notice that you began to lose your hair, do not despair, this trouble can be helped. A new report by researchers from the University of Bradford, published in the online journal FASEB Journal, indicates that the drug used to treat glaucoma - a dangerous chronic eye disease - Bimatoprost, can be used as a stimulant for hair growth.
The effect of this drug on the eyelashes was already known - as a result of the use, a noticeable darkening of the eyelashes and iris of the eye was observed. Despite the fact that this is considered a side effect of the drug, many people on whom it acted in a similar way considered it a cosmetic effect.
The data obtained by the specialists are the first information that confirms the real possibility of using "Bimatoprost" as a medical preparation for hair growth.
"We hope that our research will help to develop new methods of treating baldness that will help many people finally get rid of complexes and improve the quality of life," says research co-author Valerie Randall. - Further study of the drug and its effect on hair growth will help to better understand how the hair follicles work. Thanks to this, it will be possible to hope for the appearance of new therapeutic methods for treating alopecia. "
To find out whether the drug really has this property, Dr. Randell and her colleagues conducted three series of experiments. In two of them, human cells were used, and in the third experiment - cells of mice.
Tests on human cells included the use of hair follicles in the culture of the organic hair model, as well as growing directly from the head. In both cases, the experts found, then "Bimatoprost" acts and really stimulates hair growth.
The third experiment in a series of experiments was performed on mice. Rodents rubbed the bald patches of the drug. It turned out that the situation is similar to human cells - the hair began to grow. Scientists believe that "Bimatoprost" extends the anagen phase (active phase) of hair growth.
"This discovery can become sensational and no less important than the invention of Viagra, the appearance of which was so awaited for middle-aged men," the researchers say.
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