HAIR RESEARCH questions and answers

Q. Why do you do hair research?

A. Why not? We get asked why we study hair follicles a lot, even by other scientists and dermatologists. Many people think hair research is not a “serious” subject of study. Unfortunately, hair research suffers from an apparent association with quack cures and snake oils and the view that “it’s only hair after all”. Often though those who do not take hair loss seriously are those who have a full head of hair! It’s true that you do not die as a direct result of hair loss (see below), but for many with alopecia it can be an emotionally distressing event. Whilst hair loss is generally acknowledged in men, hair loss in women and children does not receive the same universal acceptance. It may be one of the best kept secrets in the world, but up to 40% of women experience hair loss at some point in their lives. Around 2% of children will experience some form of hair loss and for men, up to 70% will develop some degree of baldness.

When hair loss is sudden and extensive, as it can be with alopecia areata, the emotional impact can be particularly severe. Affected individuals may limit their social interaction, become depressed, and ultimately a few commit suicide. Hair plays an important role in our society though its influence is usually not consciously recognized. Several studies have shown that individuals experiencing baldness are less likely to succeed at job interviews and will have lower incomes than their fully haired counterparts. Hair subconsciously indicates youth and vitality - baldness is generally taken as a negative indicator of age and senescence.

As baldness is viewed in such a negative light, it is not surprising that billions of dollars are spent each year by people on treatments, wigs and cosmetics to hide their hair loss. Hair loss has a considerable impact on our culture and its influence cannot be understated.

Q. Can you make lots of money from hair research?

A. Yes and no. In principle there may be a lot of money to be made with an effective treatment for hair loss. However, our laboratory at the Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute takes an academic approach where the focus is first and foremost on understanding hair biology and mechanisms of hair loss. Our greater focus is on “orphan” hair loss diseases; those conditions that affect relatively few people and for which a treatment is unlikely to be developed by industry. The laboratory conducts very little research on pattern baldness, rather it concentrates on alopecia areata, scarring alopecias, and understanding basic hair biology.