iStock/Thinkstock(LOS ANGELES) — Millions of dollars are spent each year on hair restoration products, but preliminary research involving mice finds that plucking existing hair may induce new hairs to grow.
Researchers at USC discovered when they plucked 200 hairs from mice in a very specific pattern and density, they could induce up to 1,200 new hairs to grow.
In a report published in the journal Cell, the researchers describe the phenomenon as “quorum sensing.” They say the follicles from the plucked hairs release chemical distress signals to their hairy neighbors. When the signal reaches a certain level, it communicates to all of the surrounding hair follicles that it’s time to re-grow hair.
Scientific observers not involved in the study note that the results of the mouse study may not carry over to humans.
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