Hair Growth
Overview
Hair loss (androgenetic alopecia, telogen effluvium, alopecia areata) involves follicle miniaturization, inflammatory attack on follicles, and disrupted hair cycle regulation. Peptide therapy works by improving scalp vascularity, stimulating follicle stem cells, reducing scalp inflammation, and extending anagen (growth) phase. Microneedling dramatically enhances topical peptide penetration into the scalp.
Recommended Peptides
- GHK-Cu – the most evidence-supported topical hair peptide; promotes follicle enlargement, extends anagen phase, and improves scalp microvascularization; combines synergistically with microneedling for enhanced penetration; also modulates DHT-related pathways in some studies
- PTD-DBM – Wnt pathway activator via disruption of CXXC5-Dishevelled interaction; promotes follicle neogenesis; referenced in emerging hair loss literature
Complementary Approaches
- Minoxidil combination with GHK-Cu shows additive effects in some protocols
- Microneedling (0.5-1.5mm) performed prior to topical GHK-Cu application significantly increases follicle penetration and efficacy
Protocols
Related Conditions
Research Summary
Thymosin Beta-4 (TB-500) promotes hair growth via stem cell migration from the hair follicle bulge region (PMID-17947589). GHK-Cu stimulates hair follicle stem cell support and dermal papilla function; the 4,000+ gene modulation includes hair growth-relevant pathways (PMID-25302294). All hair growth evidence for these peptides is preclinical (animal models).
Related
#condition #dermatological