Are Your Follicles Really Gone? The Truth About Dormant Hair

What’s New

The world of hair loss research is shifting, and the news is encouraging:

• Dormant, not dead. A recent study mapped the signaling networks behind follicle regeneration and revealed that hair loss is often more about miscommunication than permanent follicle death. This means that even in thinning areas, many follicles may still be waiting for the right signal to grow again.

• PP405 — a rising star. In a Phase 2 trial, about 31% of men treated with PP405 saw more than 20% thicker hair in just 8 weeks, with some regrowth in areas long thought inactive. The best part? The treatment showed no significant side effects.

• New treatments on the horizon. Early development of a topical called GT-20029 is targeting androgen-related hair thinning in a more precise way, using advanced PROTAC technology to disrupt the miniaturization process.

• Personalized regimens with AI. A 6-month clinical trial showed that AI-recommended routines, tailored to individual scalp data, outperformed generic approaches — a step toward more customized hair wellness.

These insights remind us: science is moving forward, but it’s also validating what trichologists have always said — follicles can be supported, re-trained, and sometimes re-awakened.

Practical Tip of the Day

Try a “Pre-Serum Scalp Prep” tonight.

1. Lightly mist your scalp with an aloe or glycerin-based spray.

2. Part your hair into small sections and gently massage each zone in circles for about 20 seconds.

3. Apply your serum or treatment immediately afterward.

This routine improves circulation, hydrates the scalp, and helps your treatments absorb more effectively. It’s a simple, calming ritual that can make a big difference over time.

Body–Hair Wellness Insight

Here’s the truth: no matter how advanced the treatment, your internal health sets the foundation. Think of your body as the soil in which hair grows — if it’s depleted, stressed, or inflamed, even the best treatment struggles.

• A systematic review found that frequent sugary drinks and alcohol use are linked to higher rates of hair loss, while nutrients like vitamin D, zinc, and iron were tied to stronger, healthier hair.

• Stress and poor sleep raise cortisol, a hormone that can shorten your hair’s growth phase and accelerate shedding.

• Hormonal imbalances — thyroid, insulin, adrenal — quietly influence whether follicles stay strong or begin shrinking.

Think of it this way: your treatments are seeds, but your body is the soil. Rich, balanced soil grows healthy plants — and the same is true for your hair.

Fact of the Day

Even in bald spots, most scalps still contain mid-follicle stem cells. They’re not gone — just inactive. That’s why science is shifting toward “reactivation” instead of replacement.

When we combine breakthroughs in science with the basics of daily care — nourishing your body, treating your scalp with intention, and staying consistent — that’s when transformation happens.

Stay encouraged. Your follicles are listening.

— Brandon

References

1. Stem Cell Research & Therapy: Hair follicle regeneration and therapeutic strategies

2. Dermatology Times: PP405 Phase 2a trial results

3. ClinicalTrialsArena: GT-20029 Phase II trial update

4. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology: AI-personalized regimens trial

5. Nutrition & Health: Dietary factors and hair health review

Shop & Explore

✨ Want to take your hair health further? Shop my Cécred favorites and explore products I use in my own clinic.

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