Researchers have discovered that a sugar found in DNA could form the basis for a new treatment for genetic hair loss. During experiments on mice suffering from hair loss related to the hormone testosterone (a condition similar to hereditary baldness in humans), scientists tested a gel based on the sugar deoxyribose. In the treated areas, hair began to grow back quickly and densely, which was comparable to the effectiveness of minoxidil — the most popular topical treatment for hair loss. Researchers from the University of Sheffield (UK) and COMSATS University (Pakistan) came to this discovery by chance while studying the sugar's effect on wound healing in mice. They removed hair from specific areas of the mice's skin and applied a biodegradable gel daily. Within just a few weeks, a strong and noticeable growth of long, thick hair was observed. Although the exact mechanism of the sugar's action is not yet fully understood, the researchers noted a significant increase in the formation of blood vessels and skin cells around the treated hair follicles. Researcher Sheila McNeil from the University of Sheffield stated: "Our results suggest that the solution might be simpler than we thought, using a natural sugar that enhances blood flow to the follicles and stimulates their growth." The scientists emphasize that the experiments were conducted only on male mice, and the findings are still in the early stages, but they are promising and warrant broader studies on humans. If the treatment proves to be clinically effective and safe, it could be used in the future to treat hair loss or even to stimulate the growth of eyelashes and eyebrows after chemotherapy.
