Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery that could lead to a new drug that is actually able to reverse baldness. Experiments have taken place with mice that have demonstrated that hair follicles can be reawakened by deliberately activating a protein call Wnt. Wnt is essential for the formation of hair follicles but it was previously thought to be operational in embryos only. The critical role of Wnt was confirmed in two further studies which inhibited the production of Wnt and the hair regrowth in the mice was much diminished.
A drug which uses this method of hair regrowth may be at least a decade away as the only way that the scientists were able to activate the Wnt was to create a large surface wound on the back of the mice which would be wholly inappropriate for cosmetic use in humans.
There are currently two hair loss treatments available to purchase, both of which have reasonably high rates of success. Regaine is a topical solution that is applied twice daily to the scalp but most people find this less convenient that the once a day pill, Propecia, which is available on prescription only. Both of these treatments are available through The Online Clinic.