The Biological Effects of a Pulsed Electrostatic Field with Specific Reference to Hair Electrotrichogenesis

Abstract

This comparative, controlled study demonstrates the positive biologic effect on hair regrowth of a pulsed electrical field administered according to a regularized treatment schedule over 36 weeks. Mean hair count comparisons within the groups significantly favor the treatment group, which exhibited a 66.1% hair count increase over baseline. The control group increase over baseline was 25.6%. It is notable also that 29 of the 30 treatment subjects (96.7%) exhibited regrowth or no further hair loss. The process is without side effects and untoward reactions. The rationale of this phenomenon is unclear but is considered to be due to an electrophysiologic effect on the quiescent hair follicle, similar to that documented with respect to bone fracture and soft tissue repair enhancement. The electrical pulse may cause increased cell mitosis through calcium influx, involving both the hair follicle sheath and dermal papilla cells.

Evidence‐based (S3) guideline for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in women and in men

“…Four trials for pulsed electrostatic field could be included into the evidence‐based evaluation of the guideline [98–101]. Though the trials showed modest increase in total, anagen or nonvellus hair counts, the use in clinical routine is doubtful due to unfavourable cost‐benefit ratio.…”

Induction of Hair Growth by Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 in 1,763 MHz Radiofrequency-Irradiated Hair Follicle Cells

“…Previous studies using high-voltage pulsed galvanic stimulation showed that the electrical stimulus induced cell migration and wound repair through increased protein and DNA synthesis [11]. Maddin et al demonstrated that a pulsed electrostatic field had positive biological effects on hair re-growth but the biophysical mechanism was not clear [12].…”

Hair loss as a consequence of cancer chemotherapy – physical methods of prevention. A review of the literature

“…Good results were obtained: out of 13 study patients hair loss was noted in just one person and it was only partial. No adverse effects of ETG or negative sensations of patients undergoing treatment have been reported [28][29][30].…”

“…Due to appropriate electric field distribution, the highest drop in voltage is at the scalp surface, with minimal exposure in deeper parts of the head. In physical terms the method seems perfectly safe: electric field intensity (4000 V/m) represents 2% of the level determined as safe in experiments conducted on animals exposed to an electric field for more than 10 months, and only 0.001% of the value recognized as dangerous [28].…”

“…Hair papilla cells are believed to be the most susceptible to the effects of electric stimulation. Ultimately, ETG may stop hair loss and promote hair regrowth [28].…”