Detangle Electric Comb System for Hair Growth
Last week, a new study was published in “Nature” by scientists from China. It is titled:
“Combing-triggered electrostimulation synchronizing deep delivery for rapid hair regrowth in androgenetic alopecia (AGA).”
It pertains to a new unique type of electric comb-shaped bioelectronic system, named “Detangle”. In early testing, it was more effective than minoxidil in regrowing hair in mice with AGA. It has yet to be tested in humans. However, some of the scientific basis for its efficacy that I discuss further below could be applicable in humans too.
The name “Detangle” was inspired by the 2010 animated Disney film “Tangled“, which is about the long-haired Rapunzel. In the past two days, this story has taken on a life of its own in the media, especially in science related publications. Some highlights:
The Detangle electric comb system does not require any kind of batter and employs a control circuit to generate pulsed electric fields. It integrates two types of electronic teeth with differential heights. The shorter teeth are designated as drug-loading modules, and are preloaded with therapeutic molecules that can boost hair growth. The tips of the drug-loading modules feature a ball-based release mechanism. The researchers state that this is functionally analogous to a ballpoint pen, which enables “contact-triggered molecular deployment”.
Quote:
“The electrodes that, triggered by the combing action, raise the skin to generate a 2.63 times stronger electric field compared to that produced by aligned electrodes. This enhanced field creates sufficient transmembrane potential for the subsequent delivery of regulatory molecules into follicular cells, significantly increasing their intracellular uptake efficiency by up to 3.4-fold. Through the synergistic effect that electrostimulation regulates cellular metabolism, while co-delivery of VEGFA plasmid (to enhance perifollicular vascularization) and SRD5A2 siRNA (to inhibit androgen secretion) amplifies the therapeutic effect.”
In effect, the pulses and the skin-raising action synergistically generate a stronger electrical field than normally possible. This allows for the molecules to penetrate deeper into the skin. In fact, this method of using comb teeth embedded with electrodes of differential height:
“Can generate a directional electric field that penetrates 9 times deeper than conventional external electrode application during combing. The electric field used for electrostimulation can drive charged molecules from the skin surface into deeper tissue layers.”
In this particular experiment, the scientists used the following two molecules.
- A Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (VEGFA) plasmid to encourage new blood vessel growth (angiogenesis).
- 5-alpha-reductase 2 targeting siRNA (called SRD5A2 siRNA) to suppress the synthesis of dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
By the end of the month, the mice on the Detangle electric comb system experienced nearly 100% hair regrowth on their shaved backs. In comparison, the minoxidil group mice saw 70% hair regrowth. I am a bit skeptical about this comparison, since 70% hair regrowth on minoxidil seems far fetched to me.
Nevertheless, I find this invention and the idea of combining electric stimulation with superior drug delivery to hair follicles roots quite interesting.
Electricity and Hair Growth
Note that in 2019, I wrote about the long history of research into electricity and hair growth. At that time, US-based scientists had developed a hair growth cap that produces gentle electrical pulses to stimulate hair growth.
These electric pulses are converted from the biomechanical energy from your body’s daily movement while you are wearing the cap. Supposedly, the resulting electric field:
“Stimulates the segregation of KGF and VEGF growth factors, which effectively activates scalp hair follicles.”
The above mentioned scientists created a company (Rise Technology) in 2019 to sell the cap. Even though the product is yet to be released, the website is still active as of 2026 and you can get on a waiting list for the cap.
Also make sure to check out my past posts on: pulsed electromagnetic field therapy for hair loss; and the Niostem wearable low-level electrical stimulation hair growth device.
On a related note, hair growth lasers also work via a similar concept, but involve light energy instead of electricity. And there is also significant research into the use of sound energy for hair growth.
None of these examples will lead to any kind of miracle hair growth.
