Prince William begun losing his hair at a young age. Source: Vanity Fair SHAMPOOING with a drug designed to treat brittle bones could help cure baldness within days, research suggests.
Scientists are “optimistic” a new baldness treatment known as WAY-316606, could one day help millions of men who suffer from hair-loss.
Researchers found the drug – originally developed for osteoporosis — boosted growth from human hair follicles in just two days in a series of lab tests.
It apparently works by blocking a naturally-occurring protein that kills hair growth and plays a key role in male pattern baldness - which affects half of all men by age 50.
They now hope to carry out clinical trials on blokes with thinning patches.
Lead researcher Dr Nathan Hawkshaw, from Manchester University, said: “The fact this new agent, which had never even been considered in a hair loss context, promotes human hair growth is exciting because of its translational potential: it could one day make a real difference to people who suffer from hair loss.
“I’m very optimistic it could work. In lab tests, the drug started promoting growth in hair follicles in just two days – that’s pretty quick.
“We are looking at using it as a topical treatment, a gel or shampoo that could reach the follicle.”
Dr Hawkshaw also said there are no known side-effects of the bone drug.
