Could this experimental electric comb be a cure for baldness?
· Medical Xpressby Paul Arnold, Medical Xpress
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Men and women have been searching for cures for baldness for thousands of years. Early remedies, such as ancient animal fat potions, rarely succeeded as far as we know, but modern-day treatments like minoxidil solutions, finasteride tablets and hair transplants all have varying degrees of success. Now researchers have developed a new comb-like device that has produced impressive hair growth results in mice.
The innovation, called Detangle, was developed by a team led by researchers at Beihang University in China, as they discuss in a paper published in Nature Communications. "Here, we report 'Detangle' (a name inspired by the animated film 'Tangled'), a comb-shaped device engineered for AGA [androgenetic alopecia] treatment."
It looks like an ordinary comb but has specially designed teeth embedded with electrodes. Some teeth also contain compartments for delivering therapeutic molecules designed to stimulate hair growth.
Tackling baldness on two fronts
When the comb is drawn across the scalp, it delivers tiny pulses of electricity while its specially designed teeth gently lift the skin. This creates a stronger electric field that reaches deeper into the skin, helping the therapeutic molecules enter hair follicle cells, where they can encourage hair growth.
The researchers chose two molecules to tackle different aspects of pattern baldness. The first is a VEGFA plasmid that encourages the growth of new blood vessels around hair follicles, thereby improving their blood supply.
The second, SRD5A2 siRNA, reduces the production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This is a hormone that can cause hair follicles to shrink, resulting in progressively thinner hair.
The team tested Detangle on mice with experimentally induced pattern hair loss. They used the comb loaded with both molecules on the mice's shaved backs once every three days for 28 days. Then they compared its effectiveness with conventional treatments, including minoxidil and finasteride, given to other mice.
Promising results
The results were impressive.
The mice treated with Detangle experienced hair regrowth over almost 100% of the shaved area, compared with around 70% in those given minoxidil. The device also outperformed finasteride. Further testing revealed that Detangle increased the number of hair follicles and improved blood flow to the treated skin.
The study authors believe that getting therapeutic molecules deep into the skin is crucial to treating pattern baldness. "Safe and efficient delivery remains the key to the treatment outcome of AGA."
However, Detangle has yet to be tested in humans, so whether it can produce similar results in people remains to be seen.
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Publication details
Feng Liu et al., Combing-triggered electrostimulation synchronizing deep delivery for rapid hair regrowth in androgenetic alopecia, Nature Communications (2026). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-026-79122-3
Journal information: Nature Communications
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DermatologySkin & Hair careCommon illnesses & Prevention Who's behind this story?
Paul Arnold
BSc Biology from University of London. BBC documentary producer with world travel experience. Freelances from southern Spain. Full profile →
Gaby Clark
MA in English, copy editor since 2021 with experience in higher education and health content. Dedicated to trustworthy science news. Full profile →
Robert Egan
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