Hair Loss Treatment: David Beckham, Elon Musk, Sourav Ganguly, and Himesh Reshammiya all faced hair loss at some point in their lives. Many turned to hair transplants, a slow, invasive, and expensive solution. Now, a new drug called PP405 is making waves in the West, and experts are calling it the start of the “Great Unbalding.”
What Is PP405 And How Does It Work?
PP405 is a new hair loss treatment that targets Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the hormone responsible for shrinking hair follicles. Over time, DHT weakens follicles until they stop producing hair, causing baldness.
The drug is easy to use, requires no injections or pills, and may work for both men and women.
Dr Sandip Agnihotri (Consultant Dermatologist) says, “For some time now the dermatologists have been feeling the need to address the shortcomings of the existing therapies of baldness. Mainly like minoxidil or finasteride, the shortcomings are a less-than-optimal response of efficacy in many patients. PP405 is an entire new pathway, operating through lactate dehydrogenase seems to be addressing these shortcomings. So far, it seems the safest. We must wait for post market trials.”
How PP405 Is Different From Other Hair Loss Treatments
Unlike most hair loss treatments that mainly slow down hair loss, PP405 aims to reverse it. It works by reactivating dormant hair follicles. The drug blocks mitochondrial pyruvate carriers (MPCs), which act as “off switches” in the follicles. This activates stem cells and encourages new hair growth.
Early trials are promising. Users have seen a 20% or more increase in hair density within eight weeks—much faster than standard treatments.
Another advantage is that PP405 is applied topically and does not affect hormones. This avoids the side effects often linked to oral drugs like finasteride, including sexual or systemic issues.
Caution And What’s Next
Despite the buzz, experts urge caution. Dr Kiran Kaur Sethi (MD, Medical Director of Isya Aesthetics) says, “There is only phase two trials which have been done, and until phase 3 and phase 4 trials come out and we have enough humans who have experienced it, we have seen what the side effects are, it won’t be available for us to use. So we can wait with bated breath.”
If PP405 continues to perform well in clinical trials, it could reach India in the next few years. This would give millions of people struggling with androgenetic alopecia (commonly known as pattern baldness) new hope.
After years of breakthroughs in weight loss and wellness, the next big revolution could be “unbalding,” where hair loss is not just managed but actually reversed.
