Histogen’s Hair Stimulating Complex (HSC): Revolutionary Hair Loss Treatment for Males with Androgenic Alopecia?
Over the past year, regenerative medicine company Histogen, Inc. has continued to test its highly anticipated hair loss treatment known as HSC (Hair Stimulating Complex). The latest phase in HSC’s ongoing trials began in Pasig City, Manila, Philippines on December 22, 2011 and will conclude in December 2012.
Androgenic alopecia (genetic baldness) affects an estimated 40 million men and 21 million women in the United States alone with many millions more worldwide. Approximately 7% of these hair loss sufferers, from the early stages of thinning hair to completely bald, currently seek medical and/or surgical hair restoration treatments to slow the progression of further balding and regrow hair. Though a relatively small number, this amounts to a highly competitive, multi-billion dollar industry.
Today’s most effective hair loss treatments are the clinically proven and FDA approved drugs Rogaine (minoxidil) and Propecia (finasteride) as well as state of the art follicular unit hair transplantation (FUT). However, a number of balding men and women also seek alternatives like low level laser therapy (LLLT) and herbal treatments among others. Each of these treatments has its own benefits and limitations but Histogen, Inc. hopes to add its new and potentially revolutionary injectable treatment to the list.
How HSC Works
According to the literature, “HSC consists of proteins secreted by human dermal cells under proprietary culture conditions that include reduced oxygen and bioreactors. Under these conditions, the cells secrete soluble proteins that include both growth factors and soluble precursors to the deposited extracellular matrix. Several of these proteins are known to be important in the control of the hair cycle and will stimulate resting hair follicles to resume hair formation”.
Interestingly, the importance of a low oxygen environment (hypoxia) has been cited as an important factor in reawakening dormant hair follicles by other researchers like French cosmetics giant L’Oreal whose upcoming hair growth lotion Neogenic also aims to revolutionize the hair restoration industry.
To learn more about Histogen’s Hair Stimulating Complex including the results of its pilot study see the article, Histogen Inc. Makes Headway in Pursuit of a Revolutionary Hair Loss Treatment
Conclusion
Only time will tell if HSC can deliver on its promise to stimulate new hair growth but, even if it lives up to its hype, it does not represent the fabled “hair loss cure” and will likely takes its place as an adjunct to the existing and proven hair loss treatments mentioned above.
For more on Histogen and to stay abreast of their progress, you are encouraged to add your comment to the discussion topic “Histogen” on our hair loss forum.
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David (TakingThePlunge)
Editorial Assistant and Forum Co-Moderator for the Hair Transplant Network, the Coalition Hair Loss Learning Center, and the Hair Loss Q & A Blog.
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