mTORC1 activity negatively regulates human hair follicle growth and pigmentation.

Dysregulation of the activity of the mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) is commonly linked to aging, cancer, and genetic disorders such as tuberous sclerosis (TS), a rare neurodevelopmental multisystemic disease characterized by benign tumors, seizures, and intellectual disability. Although patches of white hair on the scalp (poliosis) are considered as early signs of TS, the underlying molecular mechanisms and potential involvement of mTORC1 in hair depigmentation remain unclear. Here, we have used healthy, organ-cultured human scalp hair follicles (HFs) to interrogate the role of mTORC1 in a prototypic human (mini-)organ.

Hair Restoration in the Ethnic Patient.

Hair restoration surgery is a popular procedure among patients of all ethnic groups. Whether performing hair procedures to treat male and female pattern hair loss, or to restore eyebrows and beards, or to shorten overly high hairlines, the surgeon must consider differences in esthetic ideals, hair characteristics, and healing properties to achieve optimal results.

Hairline-Lowering Surgery.

As an alternative to hair transplantation for lowering the overly high hairline, hairline-lowering/forehead-reduction surgery has several advantages, including unsurpassed density and immediate results. Appropriate candidates for this surgery must have a stable frontal hairline (thus excluding most men) and a fairly to very mobile scalp that will permit sufficient advancement to warrant this more "invasive" approach. The main objective of this surgery is the lowering of the hairline.

Follicular Unit Excision: Current Practice and Future Developments.

Hair transplantation, or hair restoration surgery (HRS) remains the only method to consistently restore hair in those experiencing pattern hair loss as well as hair loss from most other causes. HRS has been significantly improved with the development of follicular unit extraction, later renamed follicular unit excision, or FUE. This allows the surgeon to harvest grafts from the donor area without leaving a scar.

Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Stromal Vascular Fraction for Hair Loss: Current Status.

The current state of the applicability of cell therapy for the treatment of various conditions of hair loss reveals a promising and potentially effective role. Further research, based on published work to date, is indicated to further explore the potential roles of autologous fat grafting, mesenchymal stem cells, and stromal vascular fraction therapy. The authors' evolving experience matches these promising scientific findings.