Hair treatment: Personalised hair loss treatment with the genetic test TrichoTest

Hair transplantation and skin health clinic Rubenhair is a leading clinic in Latvia and the Baltics, known for its innovative solutions for 11 years and offers TrichoTest. Clinic has started a strategic partnership with the genetic testing laboratory Fagron Genomics, which is one of the leading companies in the world.

Hair is an integral part of our identity, shaping our self-perception and influencing our psychological well-being. The complex cycle of hair growth consists of growth (anagen), transition (catagen) and resting (telogen) phases, at the end of which the hair falls out and the cycle returns to the anagen growth phase. Most people lose between 50 and 100 hairs each day due to this natural process. Alopecia, characterised by hair loss, disrupts this finely tuned balance. The main types of scalp alopecia are androgenetic alopecia, alopecia areata and telogen effluvium.

Alopecia treatment includes a wide range of treatment options, and it is valuable to perform genetic testing to predict a patient’s response to alopecia treatment medications before starting therapy. The type and degree of alopecia, current medications, pathologies, intolerance, allergy, physiological and emotional stress are taken into account using the Fagron TrichoTest™ hair health test.

What is Fagron TrichoTest™ and how does it work?

Fagron TrichoTest™ is a revolutionary approach to personalized hair loss treatment, built with the latest genetics and pharmaceutical care solutions. But what exactly is this hair health test and how does it work?

TrichoTest™ is an innovative genetic test designed to understand the complex dynamics of hair loss. Its main goal is to adapt the treatment of alopecia to each patient individually, eliminating the shortcomings of a single approach and moving to personalized treatment.

TrichoTest™ examines the genetic information contained in human DNA, specifically analysing 26 genetic variations in 23 genes known to affect hair growth and hair loss. These genes act as biomarkers, providing valuable insight into a patient’s likely response to various alopecia treatments.

However, taking the TrichoTest™ makes it clear that genetics is not the only determinant of hair health. Many external factors such as lifestyle, diet, stress levels, medications and other health factors significantly affect hair growth and loss. The TrichoTest™ requires the completion of a detailed questionnaire that includes these important aspects of the patient’s history and current conditions.

The TrichoTest™ report forms the basis of a personalized treatment plan, recommending the most appropriate active pharmaceutical ingredients and treatments that are most likely to be effective given the patient’s unique genetic profile and personal history.

What types of alopecia does the TrichoTest address?

TrichoTest™ is a hair test specifically designed to treat androgenetic alopecia, alopecia areata and telogen effluvium with its information.

Androgenic alopecia, also known as pattern baldness, is a common form of progressive hair loss in both men and women. Alopecia areata, an autoimmune disease, causes patchy hair loss on the head or even all over the body. Finally, telogen effluvium is a temporary form of hair loss that is usually caused by stress, a traumatic event, or hormonal changes, often after childbirth.

TrichoTest™ provides information to evaluate each of these conditions, identifying the unique genetic and lifestyle factors that may contribute to hair loss, and recommends the best hair loss treatments to healthcare professionals.

How can genetics affect a patient’s treatment and quality of life?

The human genome is a rich source of information that contains genetic information about the structure of the organism, the life processes in it and about the organism’s response to the environment. It affects how our bodies react to various substances, including medications. In the context of hair loss, understanding genetic factors can significantly improve treatment outcomes, and this is where the value of the Fagron TrichoTest™ becomes apparent.

Genetics play a critical role in determining our unique biological responses. By understanding an individual’s genetic makeup, healthcare professionals can tailor a course of treatment to meet that individual’s specific needs and potential reactions. This process, known as personalized medicine, is able to optimize the effectiveness of treatment, reduce the risk of possible side effects, and is now being applied to the field of alopecia treatment using the Fagron TrichoTest™.

TrichoTest™ analyzes key genes scientifically linked to hair loss and hair health. The resulting test information can provide predictions about how a patient might respond to different treatment options. For example, if a person’s genetic profile indicates an increased sensitivity to a certain medication, healthcare professionals can adjust the dose or choose an alternative treatment that might be more effective or cause fewer side effects. In this way, healthcare professionals can make data-driven best treatment decisions that are tailored to the patient’s genetic profile, increasing the likelihood of successful treatment.

The effectiveness of alopecia treatment is not absolute, and it is necessary to take the medication for at least 4 to 6 months to observe improvements and to take it for a long time to maintain the response. Hair loss medications Minoxidil and Finasteride are widely used. The effectiveness of minoxidil for the general population is still relatively low, at around 30 – 40%. Although finasteride stops hair loss in about 87% of men, only 11% achieve significant hair regrowth.

Due to the significant time and money investment of patients in the treatment and possible low response rate, initial analysis of hair-affecting biomarkers helps to accurately determine the patient’s response before starting the treatment. Many polymorphisms that determine potential response to alopecia treatment have been defined, but none of them are used individually in clinical practice. For example, the Sulfotransferase enzyme (SULT1A1) accurately determines the patient’s response and effectiveness to the use of Minoxidil.

Each country’s goal is to foster a well-informed community of healthcare professionals capable of implementing personalized medicine for optimal patient care. Essentially, by incorporating genetics and drug effectiveness testing into patient treatment, healthcare professionals can pinpoint the drugs that will provide the best treatment outcomes, which will improve quality of life and prolong life for people in general.

Contact information:

Clinic Rubenhair
Address: Republikas laukums 3, LV-1010 Riga
www.rubenhair.eu
E: info@rubenhair.eu
Tel / WhatsApp: +371 26777776