The clinical candidate causing some excitement for application in androgenetic alopecia is PP405, an investigational medicine developed by Pelage Pharmaceuticals. Presentations at the AAD 2026 meeting in Denver and the SID meeting in Chicago highlight PP405 as the first therapy to successfully target dormant hair follicle stem cells directly at the level of their metabolism.
The most anticipated update from the SID 2026 meeting is the presentation by Dr. Peggy Myung, Associate Professor and Vice Chair of Research in the Department of Dermatology at Yale University. In her State-of-the-Art Plenary Lecture, “Uncovering mechanisms of hair follicle dermal niche formation in development and regeneration,” Dr. Myung unveiled the molecular roadmap for creating hair follicles from scratch in adult skin.
A breakthrough in 3D bioprinting has successfully created artificial human skin that comes pre-loaded with its own working hair follicles, sweat glands, and blood vessels. In tests reported on May 13, 2026, this “bio-skin” was transplanted onto wounds and achieved 100% functional regeneration, with follicles that continued to grow and cycle naturally for months. This is a monumental shift for patients with “dead” or scarred scalp areas where medications and traditional hair transplants fail, as it allows doctors to essentially print a brand-new, hair-bearing scalp in the lab.
Scientists have discovered that hair loss is often caused by hair stem cells getting “trapped” in a stiff, damaged scalp environment. By using a combination of mechanical stimulation—such as microneedling and vibration—researchers were able to soften the scalp and reactivate these dormant cells. Clinical results show a 20% to 30% improvement in hair density within 12 weeks, with this approach performing three times better than traditional treatments.
Scientists have successfully completed early testing for ABS-201, an AI-designed antibody that stops the hormone prolactin from “shutting down” hair growth. Trial data released on May 7, 2026, confirmed the treatment is safe and highly effective at maintaining a constant growth signal in the scalp. Because the medication is “long-acting,” patients only need two or three injections over a six-month period to achieve results that previously required taking a pill or applying foam every single day.
PP405 is a new topical gel that “reprograms” the energy source of hair stem cells to force them back into the growth phase. In clinical trials, 31% of men with advanced hair loss saw a density increase of more than 20% in just eight weeks of treatment—a response significantly faster than existing drugs. Unlike current pills, this gel does not interfere with testosterone or DHT, meaning it avoids common sexual and mood-related side effects.
Researchers have found that a naturally occurring sugar used to build DNA can trigger “robust” hair regrowth.
A groundbreaking study published in Nature Communications has revealed that the hair follicle actually contains a “tiny biological motor”. A hidden network of moving cells in the follicle’s outer layer—the outer root sheath (ORS)—moves in a downward spiral, which generates an active upward force that “pulls” the hair shaft out of the scalp.
Scientists have turned a common natural sweetener into a powerful new delivery system to fix one of the biggest problems with current hair loss treatments. By using a compound from the Stevia plant, researchers have created a painless “patch” that regrows hair significantly faster and more effectively than standard liquids.
A major study published today, April 29, 2026, in the journal Stem Cell Reviews and Reports has identified that the “ground” your hair grows in is the secret to stopping baldness. By “softening” the scalp’s internal environment, researchers have successfully reawakened hair follicles that were thought to be permanently dead.
New clinical trial results released today, April 27, 2026, reveal that a new kind of once-a-day pill called VDPHL01 is successfully regrowing hair faster and more safely than older versions of the same medicine. By changing how the drug enters the body, scientists have found a way to grow significant amounts of hair while protecting the heart.
New data released this week at a global healthcare summit reveals that a high-tech treatment called ABS-201 is successfully regrowing hair and keeping it growing for years after the treatment ends. This marks a shift from “daily maintenance” to “permanent regeneration” in the fight against baldness.
A team of scientists in Taipei has just revealed a new plant-based serum that regrows hair and makes it significantly thicker in less than two months. This treatment uses “tiny biological delivery trucks” to send growth signals directly into the roots of your hair, skipping the need for harsh chemicals. What Is It and How […]
Have you ever noticed women’s hair starts to grow rapidly and become thicker during pregnancy? This tells you something very important: hormones control hair growth. And that tells you something even more important: the change that happens in pregnant women’s scalps at a cellular level can be replicated, which can make hair grow. Here’s how it works and how you can do it…
I previously explained how normal work stress increases scalp temperature and how that can cause hair loss. But now it seems there’s some exciting new research showing how ‘cold therapy’ can stimulate hair growth by activating TRPV1 and norepinephrine. It’s easy, cheap and anyone can do it from home. And it may be really good for you in other ways. Check this out…
TRPV1 (Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 1) is a type of ion channel found in various cells, including sensory neurons and skin cells. It is known for its role in detecting heat, inflammation, and pain. TRPV1 is activated by various stimuli, such as high temperatures, acidic conditions, and certain chemical compounds like capsaicin (the active ingredient in chili peppers).
Norepinephrine, a neurotransmitter and hormone associated with the body’s fight-or-flight response, has several indirect effects on hair growth, largely through its influence on the body’s stress response and circulation. Here’s how norepinephrine might affect hair growth:
In one study, 100% of participants who were treated with antihistamines saw “major hair regrowth”. Here’s how it works and how you can use it…
Flutamide is an androgen receptor blocker. It binds to androgen receptors in cells and as a result it blocks androgen hormones like testosterone and DHT from binding, therefore preventing the negative effects of androgen binding — such as prostate cancer and hair loss.
By blocking androgen receptors in the hair follicles we can prevent the effects of DHT and therefore prevent male pattern hair loss. Here’s how….
Bicalutamide is a drug that binds with androgen receptors. When men lose their hair its because the hormone DHT binds with receptors in the scalp causing the hairs to miniturize. By reducing the number of available receptors using Bicalutamide we may be able to prevent DHT from causing hair loss! Check it out…
There’s an interesting research paper on Science Direct that suggests Dermal Papilla Cells (DPCs) could “make new hair follicles” and the treatment could be administered easily at home!
Here’s what you need to know…
Several studies seem to show a clear link between low lysine levels and hair loss and high lysine levels being linked to increased hair growth. Here we examine how lysine effects hair growth and how you can use it.
There’s a new experimental hair loss treatment called “scalp micro-infusion”, which uses a similar tool to a tattoo pen to deliver a small amount of drugs into the scalp. Could this be the cure for hair loss? Let’s find out…
Prostaglandin analogs/analogues are a class of medications that mimic the effects of naturally occurring prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are hormone-like substances that play various roles in the body, including regulating inflammation, blood flow, and cell growth.
We know that increasing the naturally occuring prostaglandin PGE2 and decreasing PGD2 can increase hair growth, so is it possible to apply an analog to achieve similar or even greater effects?
Diphenylcyclopropenone (DPCP) is an experimental treatment for hair loss that seems to work by changing the immune response in the scalp.
Somehair loss is believed to be caused by an auto-immune response, where the hair follicles are ‘attacked’ by the immune system. By modulating the imune response it may be possible to increase hair growth.
HIF-1α is a protein that responds when cells have low oxygen levels (AKA hypoxia). Hypoxia may be associated with hair loss and preventing it may increase hair growth. Therefore increasing HIF-1-alpha could help increase hair growth. Let’s see how you can use this to increase your hair growth…
New research from Northwestern’s Feinberg School of Medicine in Illinois has discovered that as we age hair becomes ‘harder’ making it less likely to grow. By softening it, more hair grows. Here’s what you need to know…
I’ve just reviewed a report showing incredible hair growth results from use of topical Calcipotriol. Check it out…
Lactoferrin is a protein found in milk. A study has found that the protein increases dermal papila proliferation, which results in increased hair growth (at least in mice). Lactoferrin therefore has potential as a hair loss treatment.
Sandalore is a perfume chemical designed to smell like Sandalwood. Amazingly though, researchers have discovered that the chemical binds to receptors in the scalp, causing the hair growth phase length to increase and an increase in IGF-1 secretion, leading to increased hair growth.
