Hair growth effects of Laminaria japonica extract and growth factor mixture on a C57BL/6 mouse model.

Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering, January 2016, Volume 21, Issue 1, pp 175–182
Hair growth effects of Laminaria japonica extract and growth factor mixture on a C57BL/6 mouse model.
Bong Moo LeeKi Soo ParkYong Jig LeeEun Som ChoiDae Hwan Park

Abstract
To develop a drug to treat hair loss, we evaluated the effects of Laminaria japonica extract mixed with growth factor. After topical application of the L. japonica growth factor mixture to a six-week-old C57BL/6 mouse model, analysis of hair re-growth was determined using a high-resolution hair analysis system, as well as, photographic and histologic analysis. Depilated areas were completely covered with fully-grown hair in all study groups (control group, L. japonica extract group, and L. japonica extract mixed with growth factor group) and the hair re-growth score was the highest in the group treated with L. japonica supplemented with insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). The width and length of the hair follicles showed a significant increase in the groups treated with L. japonica mixed with IGF-1, compared to the control groups. Groups treated with L. japonica mixed with growth factor showed significantly increased gene expression of IGF-1 and decreased expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, compared to the control groups. We confirmed that IGF-1 was more effective in promoting hair growth than vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Therefore, we suggest that L. japonica mixed with IGF-1 could successfully be used to treat patients with alopecia; however, clinical trials and additional studies on the side effects of the mixture are necessary. © 2016, The Korean Society for Biotechnology and Bioengineering and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

Growth Factors and IGF-1 are huge in MPB. It explains why I didn't have results with various DHT blockers prior to supplementing with Ecklonia Cava and Laminaria Japonica and I assume everytime I add Zinc my hair starts to improve...

Nice point Biffy.

I remember some key search in this regard. DHT blockers useless if IGF-1 levels are low.

The reason is, IGF-1 is suppressed by DHT, however if IGF-1 is already low, then blocking DHT is pointless.

Laminaria japonica  is just common Kombu japanese style seaweed.  Seems easy to make a water extract by soaking, blending, and lightly heating.  Or an oil submersion of dried leaves left to soak, then pressed out.  I would commonly put seaweed in my coconut oil and green tea soaks,  for topical application. Of course it is great to eat also for the thyroid and reasons listed below. 

• Alginates absorb radioactive elements and eliminate heavy metals and free radicals from your body
  
  
• Organic Iodine supports your thyroid to stabilize metabolism and is essential for expecting mothers and anyone with a thyroid disorders.
  
  
• Contains fucose, mannose & glucuronic acid to enhance cellular communication & immune function.
  
  
• Laminarin is a polysaccharide that has been shown to be helpful in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases
  
  
• Antimicrobial agents like vitamin C, vitamin A and B vitamins.
  
  

http://bodyecology.com/articles/heavy_metal_cleansing_sea_vegetable.php



used to prevent  weight loss and diabetes 


The active component was considered to be alginic acid in the water-soluble fraction



https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22054948