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
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 regrowth treatment
Factors influencing the out come
of therapy
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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 outcomes
Outcome evaluation
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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
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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
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Consider a therapeutic protocol manual
Consider further comprehensive studies
Consider a much bigger sample
Consider promotion of the unit
Compiled by
Dr. Dereje M. Yalew (IMG)
December 6, 2009