Biomedical applications of electrospun nanofibers in the management of androgenic alopecia

Androgenic alopecia is a complex condition that affects the scalp, leading to hair thinning and hair loss. Approximately 50% of the total population worldwide suffers from hair loss. It is also estimated that the incidence of androgenetic alopecia in individuals will increase by 60% by 2035. Androgenetic alopecia has a significant impact on people's emotional health, mental health, and self-esteem. Early detection, continued drug treatment, and appropriate scalp care are the only solutions for timely treatment. Many treatments are available, but it is important to understand the underlying conditions, mechanisms, and types of alopecia. Conventional drugs are inexpensive, but not effective enough to accelerate the entire hair loss process. One of the promising current trends in innovative scalp repair are scaffolds, films, and nanofibers. These newer research areas are observed in tissue engineering in combination of traditional therapeutics with modern products and practices. There is growing interest in electrospun nanofibers with enormous porosity, excellent hygroscopicity, excellent oxygen exchange rate and antibacterial activity. The applications of nanofibers can be extended by using different polymer combinations and incorporating active pharmaceuticals (APIs) such as stem cells within the nanofiber network to treat the condition. This review describes the potential application of electrospun nanofibers in hair growth.

Automated summary

Androgenic alopecia is a common condition that affects 50% of the global population, with the incidence expected to increase by 60% in the coming decades. It has a significant impact on emotional health, mental health, and self-esteem. Electrospun nanofibers show promise in promoting hair growth and are an innovative approach in scalp repair.