New Electric Comb Developed in Beijing Achieves 98% Hair Regrowth in Mice
Researchers in Beijing have developed an experimental electric comb that stimulates hair follicles and delivers growth compounds, achieving 98% hair regrowth in mice within 28 days during early trials.
Researchers at Beihang University in Beijing have unveiled a novel electric comb that stimulates hair follicles and enhances the delivery of growth-promoting substances. Published in the scientific journal Nature Communications, the experimental device achieved remarkable results in animal trials, regrowing approximately 98% of lost hair in mice within a 28-day period.
Dubbed "Detangle", the device resembles a standard comb but features microscopic electrical components embedded within its teeth. During operation, it generates gentle electrical pulses that reach deep into the hair follicles to stimulate activity. Furthermore, selected teeth are engineered to channel therapeutic substances directly through the scalp, leveraging electrical currents to boost absorption closer to the hair roots. The researchers designed the teeth in varying lengths to intensify the electrical field and penetrate deeper than conventional external stimulation methods.
Comparative Trials and Results
To evaluate the device's efficacy, the research team conducted trials on mice suffering from testosterone-induced hair loss, comparing several treatment regimens over a 28-day period. The comparative analysis yielded significant performance disparities across the tested methods:
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Untreated control group: approximately 1% hair regrowth.
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Electrical stimulation via the comb alone: about 40% regrowth.
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Finasteride treatment: around 50% regrowth.
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Minoxidil treatment: roughly 70% regrowth.
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Combined comb treatment with two experimental compounds: approximately 98% regrowth.
The tested compounds were designed to operate through dual mechanisms: one stimulates blood vessel formation around the hair follicles, while the other suppresses a hormonal pathway linked to baldness. The synergistic combination of electrical stimulation and these two specialized compounds produced the highest regrowth rate observed in the study.
Future Clinical Outlook
Despite the promising outcomes, the researchers emphasize that human application remains a distant prospect. Because the experiments were restricted to mice, scientists cannot yet confirm whether the comb will replicate its high efficacy in humans experiencing hair loss. Subsequent research phases will focus on evaluating device safety, compound efficacy, and long-term treatment effects before any clinical adaptation can be considered.
