#603

By any chance do you practice intermittent fasting? If not, just out of curiosity: there’s 1 mice study that investigated intermittent fasting regimens impact somatic stem cells and tissue biology of hair follicule. Chen et al. (2025) wrote:
“Here, we report that commonly used intermittent fasting regimens inhibit hair follicle regeneration by selectively inducing apoptosis in activated hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs). This effect is independent of calorie reduction, circadian rhythm alterations, or the mTORC1 cellular nutrient-sensing mechanism. Instead, fasting activates crosstalk between adrenal glands and dermal adipocytes in the skin, triggering the rapid release of free fatty acids into the niche, which in turn disrupts the normal metabolism of HFSCs and elevates their cellular reactive oxygen species levels, causing oxidative damage and apoptosis.”
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0092867424013114

#604

Yes, ~16/8. At this stage of my life I really don’t pay any attention to my hair follicles.

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#605

Targeting IGF1-Induced Cellular Senescence to Rejuvenate Hair Follicle Aging
The insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) signaling pathway is known as a potent aging modifier, disruption of which consistently associates with lifespan extension across diverse species. Despite this established association, the mechanisms by which IGF-1 signaling modulates organ aging remain poorly understood. In this study, we assessed age-related changes in IGF-1 expression across multiple organs in mice and identified a more prominent increase in skin IGF-1 levels with aging—a phenomenon also observed in human skin. To explore the consequences of elevated IGF-1, we developed transgenic mice ectopically expressing human IGF-1 in the epidermis, driven by the bovine keratin 5 promoter (IGF-1 Tg). These mice exhibited premature aging of hair follicles, as evidenced by accelerated hair graying and loss. Single-cell RNA sequencing analyses of dorsal skin highlighted an upsurge in cellular senescence markers and the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) in hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs), alongside a decline in hair growth and HFSC exhaustion. Our findings indicate that excessive IGF-1 triggers HFSC senescence, thereby disrupting hair follicle homeostasis. Remarkably, interventions in IGF-1 signaling via downstream mechanisms—specifically blocking Ac-p53 activation via SIRT1 overexpression or senolytic treatment for senescent cell clearance, or reducing IGF-1 through dietary restriction—significantly reduced senescence markers, mitigated premature hair follicle aging phenotypes, and restored the stem cell pool. Our findings provide fundamental insights into the biological processes of hair aging and highlight the therapeutic promise of targeted interventions to rejuvenate aged HFSCs and promote hair follicle health.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/acel.70053

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#606

Great article and yes… since I have been on 3.3 iu HGH for 6 months, the hair on top of head has taken a big hit.

Elevated IGF-1 Levels in the Epidermis Enhance Cellular Senescence and Accelerate Aging in Hair Follicles.

To explore the consequences of elevated IGF-1, we developed transgenic mice ectopically expressing human IGF-1 in the epidermis, driven by the bovine keratin 5 promoter (IGF-1 Tg). These mice exhibited premature aging of hair follicles, as evidenced by accelerated hair graying and loss.

Our findings indicate that excessive IGF-1 triggers HFSC - hair follicle stem cells, thereby disrupting hair follicle homeostasis.

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#607

TRT already raises IGF-1 I think. I guess I’ll keep off the HGH and secretagogues.

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#608

Exactly.

That’s the idea is higher IGF-1 for thymus regeneration. And, overall growth and health from T-cell production.

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#609

Interesting video for the members here who make their own hair topical;

3 Likes
#610

I don’t know how to gift an apple new article, but this is about PP405

Here is what perplexity said about it:

https://www.perplexity.ai/search/e26395c8-4e82-4fb5-8aff-02e2bcf0819e

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#611

This is a story that has been in the news for the past year or two… we’ll see where it goes.

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#612

Since starting TRT I had more hair coming out in the shower. Hair still looks good though.

I’ve been making a lot of changes to address this before it becomes an issue. I wanted to avoid 5AR inhibitors like finasteride/dutasteride, because the side effects sound freaky.

I’ve had some good results with things I’m not seeing people talk about that I will detail below.

So I started taking this recently (3x morning, 3x night): iherb.com/pr/dragon-herbs-hair-nails-100-vegetarian-capsules/37075

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What evidence do I have for these ingredients? None, I just wanted to try it. It looks different to the other hair and nails supplements that are a multivitamin + silica + horsetail herb. I ordered 5 bottles.

I’ve also made a special topical serum with this as the base: Enjoy Thicker Hair with Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density’

In this I put 5mg melatonin powder, GHK-Cu powder (didn’t measure but wasn’t heaps, only slightly tinted the serum blue) and IPAM powder (didn’t measure but there is none precipitating at the bottom).

I put this on most days but not all.

I also recently started using growth hormone at night before bed to aid in rejuvenation. I’m noticing I am recovering from physical exertion much faster, I have more energy and it might have something to do with reduced hair fall in shower. I feel so much better with this addition it is quite amazing. With this I am cautious to keep blood sugar in check but I am on GLP1 agonist and I alternate between berberine and XR metformin.

I also started using this 2% ketoconazole shampoo 2-3x a week: Hair Covet Hair Restoration Shampoo - MinoxidilMax Official Site

What I like about this one is the other ingredients are quite good. Most ketoconazole shampoos I’ve found have really low quality ingredients and leave my hair feeling dry and brittle.

And I started conditioning my hair. Something I just didn’t bother doing.

I was also in a body fat cut for the past year which I think would have caused a bit of telogen effluvium, which might be the main culprit of extra hair fall for me. I reached my target body composition in terms of body fat, and I am in a more bulking phase aiming to put on more muscle and just have more intense energy.

I reduced my tirzepatide dosage from 7.5mg a week to 3.75mg a week. Hunger has gone up due to this and growth hormone, but I’ve also increased my exercise quite a bit including more cardio. I’m enjoying this exercise. I am hoping to “maingain”, not bulk and gain the fat back. Focusing more on athleticism and youthful high vitality/energy. I want to be more energetic than I was at 18, and I’m making progress here IMO.

I also ordered some RU58841, which is a topical antiandrogen. I’ve not used it yet. I would consider this the nuclear option, something I don’t want to use but it is good to have on hand. I’m pleased with my results so far.

Now I feel like it is a combination of all this that has resulted in a noticeable reduction in hair fall when I wash my hair in the shower. My hair also just looks nicer and feels nicer. I didn’t get a haircut but someone at work asked if I got a haircut because they thought it looked good.

4 Likes
#613

BJ has been using topical dutasteride successfully. It should be far more effective than any vitamin or supplement, which are likely just money down the drain. Topical dutasteride works directly on the scalp and generally has minimal systemic effects. BJ monitors his DHT levels, and he’s found that a single daily application (rather than twice daily) provides noticeable hair benefits without significantly impacting systemic DHT.

I recently started with topical dutasteride as well. I can’t yet report on its effectiveness for hair loss prevention, but so far it’s been pretty easygoing. My dermatologist suggested that applying it two or three times per week should be more than adequate, since dutasteride accumulates in the scalp’s fatty tissue.

3 Likes
#614

Keep me updated. I’ve been curious about it but I don’t want to touch the stuff. I’d prefer topical dut over topical fin purely because it isn’t absorbed as easily systemically.

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#615

Do you think it promoted hair growth all over or on just the scalp?

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#616

Dark, healthy hair all over my body (arms, belly, legs), as a guy that is cool.

My head hair is thicker all over - but very fine on the top. Hoping it will take off and come in thicker - but at 7.5 months, I still have 4.5 months to go for a full year of HGH use.

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#617

Had some comments recently that my hair is really thick and healthy looking. I feel the same way.

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