Electrotrichogenesis: Further Evidence of Efficacy and Safety on Extended Use

Abstract

These data represent a subset of data from the original 36-week study conducted by Maddin et al., which was in itself a preliminary study of a pulsed electrical stimulation device in male subjects alone. The extension phase of this study, which is summarized here, was undertaken to gather data on longer-term efficacy and safety and to study clinical effects in control subjects who were then switched to active treatment. Thirteen subjects had active treatment for 70 weeks, and 14 subjects were included in the crossover group, which had sham treatment for 36 weeks followed by active treatment for 30 additional weeks. On average, terminal hair counts increased from 82 to 276 in the active treatment group. Among those in the crossover group, a mild increase, from 124 to 160, was observed during the sham treatment period and a more notable increase, from 160 to 249, occurred during the subsequent active treatment period. The results presented here provide evidence of the efficacy and safety of this device during extended use; however, the generalizability of these findings is limited by the small subset of subjects for whom complete data are available.

Self-Activated Electrical Stimulation for Effective Hair Regeneration via a Wearable Omnidirectional Pulse Generator

“…In addition, compared to the reported electrical stimulation and MNX approaches for clinical hair regeneration, our m -ESD demonstrated more rapid and generally more effective hair proliferation with a much shorter treatment time (Figure 4f). 16,18,19,41–43 This analysis confirmed that the self-generated electric pulses from m -ESD could significantly promote hair regeneration and HF proliferation in SD rats.…”

“…Currently, several promising nonpharmacological treatments such as thermal, laser, and electrical stimulation have been developed and are gradually moving into clinical investigation/practice. ,− Among them, electric stimulation can induce a non-invasive biological effect named electrotrichogenesis (ETG). Though the optimal ETG parameters have not been clinically confirmed, alternating electric field (EF) in the range of 0.1–10 V/cm and frequencies of <15 Hz are commonly used, which imposes negligible tissue damage. , ETG could enhance the influx of calcium ions into the dermal papilla cells via voltage-gated transmembrane ion channels, facilitate ATP synthesis in mitochondria, activate protein kinases, and stimulate protein synthesis and cell division. ,, As a result, the ETG effect is believed to be able to regulate secretion of multiple hair growth factors, promote HF proliferation, prolong the anagen stage, and ultimately promote hair regeneration. ,, Although state-of-the-art extracorporeal treatment apparatuses have miniaturized their sizes to accommodate themselves to wearable devices, the entire system remains bulky and inconvenient for daily treatment as restricted by battery capacity and output current. − …”

Evidence‐based (S3) guideline for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in women and in men – short version

“…Besides the pharmacologic therapeutic options mentioned before, there is a wide range of molecules, products and interventions claiming to promote hair growth in AGA. These include cosmetic to pharmaceutical agents, natural products, functional food and even electrostatic/‐magnetic treatment . The mode of application comprises topical application, oral intake and scalp injections.…”

Evidence‐based (S3) guideline for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in women and in men

“…Four trials for pulsed electrostatic field could be included into the evidence‐based evaluation of the guideline [98–101]. Though the trials showed modest increase in total, anagen or nonvellus hair counts, the use in clinical routine is doubtful due to unfavourable cost‐benefit ratio.…”