An experimental electric comb restored nearly 100 percent of lost hair in balding mice during a 30-day test, outperforming conventional treatments, Gizmodo reported.
Scientists at Beihang University in China developed the device, named Detangle after the 2010 Disney film Tangled. The findings were published this month in the journal Nature Communications.
Androgenetic alopecia affects roughly 1.5 billion people globally. The condition stems from hair follicles that are overly sensitive to androgens, specifically dihydrotestosterone, or DHT.
Unlike standard brushes, the Detangle system features two types of teeth with different lengths. One type holds therapeutic molecules while the device delivers small pulses of electricity.
The researchers loaded the comb with a plasmid to encourage new blood vessel growth and SRD5A2 siRNA to suppress DHT production. The comb’s differing tooth lengths gently raise the skin to generate a concentrated electric field around the follicles.
The research team tested the comb on mice modeled with pattern baldness by shaving their backs and dosing them with testosterone for 28 days. The treated mice were brushed with Detangle once every three days.
By the end of the month, mice treated with the electric comb experienced nearly 100% hair regrowth on their shaved backs. In contrast, ZME Science noted that mice receiving 0.2 milliliters of topical minoxidil daily reached only about 70 percent hair restoration.
Another group received oral finasteride. The comb effectively delivered the molecules without causing noticeable harm to the skin of the mice.
Topical minoxidil often leaves messy residues, while oral versions can cause unwanted hair growth elsewhere on the body. Some patients fail to respond to traditional medications because topical agents struggle to penetrate deep enough through the skin.
The current study serves as a promising proof of concept, but it does not yet represent a clinically available cure. Researchers must still establish whether the device produces comparable results in human volunteers.
Future studies will need to determine the appropriate treatment frequency, dosage, and long-term safety for people. Investigators are also exploring potential applications for other conditions involving deep tissue delivery in dermatology.
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