Synthetic sandalwood that prolongs the growth of human hair

A team of researchers led by Ralf Paus of the University of Manchester has discovered that applying sandalwood to the scalp can prolong hair growth. In their article published in the journal Nature Communications, the group describes the experiments they conducted with synthetic material and human skin samples, and what they found.

Research based on previous work conducted by a team that had discovered that a receptor cell in the skin called OR2AT4 was sensitive to chemicals found in synthetic sandalwood – application of sandalwood stimulated by keratinocyte growth . Because skin healing and hair growth are closely related, researchers wondered if applying synthetic sandalwood could also stimulate the growth of new hair. To find out, they obtained skin samples from a facility that was doing facelifts.

The researchers tested their idea by soaking the skin samples in a synthetic sandalwood solution for six days and then observing the skin to detect changes in the hair follicles. They report that treated hair follicles survived longer than those that were not treated and also produced more growth factor. The researchers verified that synthetic sandalwood interacted with the OR2AT4 receptor, causing the change by blocking the receptors and noting that this prevented the change from occurring.

Hair follicles are groups of cells that surround hair roots – they have a life cycle in three stages. In the first step, the hair starts to grow due to the stimulation of the root. Hair growth is caused by a process in which follicular cells are converted into hair. In the second stage, the follicle cells stop being transformed into hair. In the third stage, the hair is ejected and the follicle goes into rest. For normal hair growth, this process is repeated many times. The researchers' work has shown that the first step can be extended by applying synthetic sandalwood.

The researchers note that only the synthetic type of sandalwood caused the change; the natural variety did not offer such benefits. They also announced that clinical trials have begun to determine whether baldness could be as simple as applying a synthetic cream based on sandalwood on the scalp.

Explore more:
Sandalwood scent facilitates healing of wounds and regeneration of skin

More information:
Jérémy Chéret et al. The OR2AT4 olfactory receptor regulates the growth of human hair, Nature Communications (2018). DOI: 10.1038 / s41467-018-05973-0