Scientists at National Taiwan University have developed a new topical serum that, in tests on mice, caused hair regrowth in just 20 days.
This serum contains natural fatty acids that are harmless to the skin, and if successful in human trials and approved by health organizations, it will be available to the public without a prescription.
Researchers used the irritant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) to induce eczema on the backs of shaved mice.
After 10 to 11 days, the treated areas saw new hair growth from the follicles, while the areas lacking the substance showed no growth.
This discovery showed that the stimulating substance directs macrophages to the fat layer under the skin, and the fat cells activate hair follicle stem cells by releasing fatty acids through lipolysis.
