Verteporfin Hair Transplant Surgery Trial With Dr. Bloxham
Seeking Scarless Hair Transplants With Donor Regeneration
Dr. Blake Bloxham
Verteporfin Update #5 (Update 07/01/24)
Dr. Bloxham has managed to get two of three of his verteporfin patients back in his clinic so he can examine the hair clinically. We will summarize the main points from the video.
You can watch the video here:
Month 5 Review: Update (01/23/24)
Patient 1 – 6 months Follow-Up
This was a virgin patient with three sites of hair transplant. Two sites were not treated with verteporfin, and one site on the back of the head was (using the lowest concentration of verteporfin). While Dr Bloxham did mention that he was initially underwhelmed, something interesting was happening upon closer look. According to Dr. Bloxham, the scar on the verteporfin-treated site did look different from the untreated one. Firstly, there are small hairs growing through the scar site – which, as you can see, is not present on the untreated site. Secondly, he observed that the scar tissue looks more like scalp tissue in coloration, sheen, and texture.
Figure 1: Patient One untreated and treated hair transplant scars.
Patient 2 – 9 months Follow – Up
This was a patient who had previously had two hair transplant surgeries. During this study, he was given a low (o.4 mg per cm2), medium, and high (0.8 mg/cm2) concentration of verteporfin at different sites on the scalp. One area of the scalp was also excised at the same length and width to give an untreated comparison. With the lowest and medium concentrations, there did not appear to be much difference from the untreated scar when it came to scar size and appearance. However, when observing the area treated with the highest concentration of verteporfin, he noticed a “significant difference” from the other treated areas. Dr Bloxham kindly provided this high-resolution comparison image below:
Figure 2: Patient 2, untreated, and treated scars of different concentrations.
So, some interesting results, but we will have to wait and see what the next update holds! We may not see another update for a few months as we wait for the patients to hit the 1 year + mark post-treatment.
Let us know what you think about this in the comments, has this treatment lived up to expectations so far?
Months 2 and 3 Review: Update (11/22/23)
First Month Video Review: Update (10/22/23)
Q&A With Dr. Bloxham: Update (10/01/23)
FT: Can you give us a quick recap of the study progress so far and what you’ve witnessed?
Dr. Bloxham: We are basically at the two month mark right now. So I have images/video from post-op day 1 through month 2. The video I am working on now and will post asap will be post-op day 1 through month 1. I then hope to put the month 2 update up quickly and basically be caught up. Then, I can shift to monthly updates.
Without giving too much away or getting into speculation, I can say two things: 1) The verteporfin is doing something. Clearly it is influencing the tissue in some manner. And with that said: 2) The treated wounds are healing differently. Now, what will this mean in the end? I don’t know. But something seems to be going on. I’ll get a little bit more into this during the 1 month update and definitely during the 2 month update.
FT: From what you’ve seen so far with the verteporfin, do you have expectations of its effectiveness in hair surgery wound healing?
Dr. Bloxham: It’s so early for this type of wound (in its total healing process), that it is hard to say. I can say, however, that the slower/different wound healing doesn’t seem to be harmful in any way. There was some concern initially that changing the wound healing process could result in a higher risk of infection, wound dehiscence, etc. However, that does not seem to be the case.
Also, effectiveness will be a little tricky to quantify now because we really don’t have a good handle on tissue concentration yet. I went up much higher compared to other studies because I believe there will be a dose dependent response (IE: the higher the concentration, the better the response — to an extent), but we still don’t know if we are going high enough to maximize the drug’s potential.
FT: Do you use Acell in your practice, and if so, what are the results like? Would you ever consider combining Acell and verteporfin?
Dr. Bloxham: I have not personally used Acell, but I have never been impressed with what I’ve seen. However, it’s interesting you bring this up because I am looking into a different, but similar, product that has not yet been used in hair surgery, but has shown a lot of promise in other types of surgery. And, I have specifically thought about combining it with verteporfin in a test eventually. Namely because there is some thought that using verteporfin may remove some of the structure or strength from the final wound (though this is not confirmed), and that by adding a sort of structural matrix you would eliminate the risk of this.
Initial Surgery 07/11/23
Verteporfin being injected into FUT excision site. Redacted for sensitivity.
Alternate angle of verteporfin injection into surgical site.
While the terms which are most commonly paired with this type of procedure are “scarless” surgery and “unlimited” donor, at this time I believe it’s much more likely we get outcomes around “reduced scarring” surgery and “extended” donor. This is the thoughtful insight I seek to share with my audience. With augmentations to these types of protocols, yes, it’s possible that the outcomes get even better.
I also believe certainly that the future will bring us powerful therapies which essentially prevent scarring completely, but we have learned development can take time (years). For now, we just beginning some groundbreaking and sincere attempts by doctors like Dr. Bloxham and Dr. Barghouthi to enhance FUT and FUE surgery.
Thanks to Dr. Bloxham for this info. I’m also in discussions with Dr. Bloxham about testing and reviewing any of the up and coming treatments which are availablel. I hope to share any of the developments which are embarked upon.
Hace 30 años soy cirujano capilar, todas las tècnicas las he probado, sinceramente ni el plasma, ni otros procedimientos son muy exitosos, estuve en Rusia donde hay una clinica que con ozono en mesoterapia , fue la que dio mejores resultados, testados en mas de 3 mil pacientes, procedimiento fàcil y barato
Dr Emilio Menes
I’m so excited about this.
Yes, testing verteporfin into FUT scars for the first time is another interesting and exciting development which will shed light.
What happened to the Verteporfin study on hair lip scars?
What was that?
A researcher was trying to get approval for a study on treating babies’ hair lip scars with Verteporfin, in 2021, with no updates so far anywhere that I can find https://www.docseducation.com/blog/new-research-opens-door-scar-free-cleft-lip-surgery
Oh, cleft lip. Now I understand.
Malvin from hairrrstorationnetwork is doing a podcast with the responsible Dr from stanford longkar or something I think he will ask about the cleft lip study. I wish FT you do the interview instead tho I think when debating a researcher you need someone who understands the science behind things and can debate in a structured way.
Ft when do you think we can get an update from Dr Bloxham it’s been 3 weeks almost I think he should have removed statures by now and maybe to a degree can see something (scar wise)?
I like Melvin and think he does a good job; I don’t see much important information coming from Dr. Longaker at this time. I heard from him several months ago and he was mentioning that his team was still looking at a PREclinical study this year (which he may be getting closer to now).
I will hear from Dr. Bloxham this upcoming week, I don’t know exactly when he will be sharing new photos, but when they do become available they will be shared and uploaded here.
Got these words from Dr. Bloxham yesterday “The big updates will be from month 3/4 onward. This is where I typically start to see FUT scars really form and get some indication as to how they will heal — though there is a lot of change that can happen during the remodeling process (which takes around 12 months). ”
Stay tuned. In about 2 weeks we should have new photos.
Does it work on older scars?
Is this a clinical trial or just pseudo advertisement for a hair transplant surgeon, which this blog as seemingly started centering around?
Ein, you sound a bit out of the loop. Are you not familiar with the cutting-edge research being done to use Verteporfin on hair transplant wounds? Several months ago I documented Dr. Barghouthi’s work doing the same thing. https://folliclethought.com/donor-healing-study-with-verteporfin-by-dr-barghouthi/ These are the first two doctors in the world trialing this method. How else can I share the doctor’s work without mentioning who they are? So, the obvious answer is no, this is not a “pseudo advertisement”, whatever that means. Is every piece of news I’ve written here about biotech companies a pseudo advertisement? You tell me, I can’t follow your logic.
In the 17 new article posts I’ve written since the beginning of the year, only 1 of them contained an affiliation within it which was properly disclosed, the StimuSIL article. It’s baffling to me that for a ratio of 1 out of 17 in the past 8 months you say that this blog is seemingly started to center around that. And your condescending tones are not welcome here. I don’t expect perfection from commenters, but please try and think critically a bit before joining the convo. 👍 We all would appreciate it. Thanks for reading.
Hey folliclethought how’s that reevive product you pushed treatment going for you? I guess I didn’t get the nice gains you did from it
I wonder how long you used it for Flawleswalace? I’m still using it as part of my regimen and I still find it to be helpful for my hair growth. I believe it works better when using alongside another topical treatment like topical fin.
Hope you’re all still keeping up on the Updates page. News about StimuSIL’s clinical trial listing and device information is there now:
https://folliclethought.com/updates/
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/20406223231191049
Yet another recent case of hair regrowth and repigmentation, interesting
Thanks for sharing Andy. I believe dupilumab produced repigmentation in a previous study you shared, correct?
I think so yeah, do you think there could be a way of them formulating it to treat hair pigmentation if it works as so far that treatment is only for AA.
I doubt that a doctor would prescribe it off label for gray hair, and also that a company would pursue it for a new indication of gray hair. But, the mechanism could be applied to a new formula or compound. That seems the most likely road ahead.
Also, I went back to check. It was nilotinib which also restored pigment previously, not dupilumab.
Guys, I posted something new to the Promos page. It’s a research document from a hobbyist AGA researcher with a professional research background in another field.
https://folliclethought.com/promos/
He believes he has discovered a valid alternative perspective to the AGA pathogenesis model. Feel free to check it out and share your thoughts here.
HI FT. I haven’t been here in a while but quietly appreciating your latest updates. Thanks! . One question popped into my mind recently which I can’t seem to find an answer to . Do you know what happened to J. Hewitt? 😀
Good to hear from you Twenti. I heard from J. Hewitt around the beginning of the year and it sounded as though they are still working on a site for their trial. To my knowledge, there is no public update available. So, it’s still something that seems to be hanging as a potential, but no clear forecast.
Hi, any updates ?
I spoke with Dr. Bloxham just today, but no updates just yet! Will keep everyone posted asap.
Thanks FT what is his general feeling tho, optimism?
Also I tried searching for any article related on RU-58841 on your website but couldn’t find anything. What’s your personal intake on it?
I was waiting for Kintor but sense it’s still 2 years thought I’ll jump on it meanwhile?
Hi M, I try to cover developments which are actively being developed by companies. My personal take on RU is that it’s a chemical which never completed a phase 3 study and regulatory approval. I’m not sure if phase 2 data was ever released or completed. I know many people on the internet use it through the gray market sites, it seems tolerable for many, but I’ve heard some concerning feedback, too. It’s not in my jurisdiction or desire to recommend unapproved drugs to folks. You could try talking to people who have used it long term.
Are there any native Koreans in the audience? Please drop a reply here.
I’m a Korean
Andy, thanks so much. Can you please send me a message on the Contact page? Much appreciated.
This is very promising. Any word from Dr. Bloxham ? Shouldn’t first update be 1 month post surgery ?
Thanks
When I get another chance to talk to Dr. Bloxham I will ask specifically when he will be sharing an update. I know that he believes the 3 month mark is the true important period to see how the tissue is remodeling. I hope we can get something before then, too, to give the audience some answers.
Here’s some interim content from Dr. Bloxham for now.
Video update overview
FT did you have chance to speak to Dr. Bloxham ?
Video updates are time consuming, maybe Dr. would consider posting some photos and making comments, before video updates ?
We will soon reach 2 months mark, but still have update only for surgery day.
Sorry, not yet reg, the doctor has a busy schedule these days. But I hope this upcoming week he will have time.
Would agree with Reg, videos are time consuming, it would be great if Doctor could share some photos/info before uploading videos. That will make updates much faster. Please mention about this possibility when you speak with him next time.
G, just heard from Dr. Bloxham and the intention is that I will be receiving some new data this upcoming week! Let’s hope it works out. He wants to reiterate that in his study of verteporfin (FUT) it will be a longer waiting game to get a decisive idea of how vert is working in the linear scar. He says it will be a slower process than Dr. Barghouthi’s FUE study.
Sorry guys, as I said, Dr. Bloxham did tell me he would be sharing some photos this week, but weeks can fly by for a hair transplant surgeon. If he does not share anything by Friday morning I’ll see we can get something over the weekend or early next week.
Any updates? Been weeks since last comment…thank you
Bob, thanks for checking in. Dr. Bloxham will be uploading a new video summary to youtube as soon he can, and then hopefully providing more insight to this audience, however it does take some time. I’m looking forward the next update myself.
hi ft, so we re close to 4 months mark which is very important point. Dr. Bloxham’s video updates are very good but take a long time. Could you try to ask for a assessment after 4 months so we don’t have to wait for a new video .
highhope, yes I can ask for an assessment in the near future.
hi ft, any updates from 4 months ?
steve, will check this week.
The next video in the update series has been added. I also still plan to reach out to Dr. Bloxham soon.
What is your opinion about the video?
I only had time to skim through it Jose, but with my limited view, I think verteporfin looks like a good addition to hair transplant surgery, but not a “cure” like I’ve some internet-goers discussing online.
hi FT, long time no news.
Have you been able to talk to Dr ?
Aaaand Thank you
Was this cancelled ? Long time no updates
FT, can you speak to Doctor ?
Any updates? It’s been almost 2 months.
Myself and many others are very anxious to hear back from Dr Bloxham.
Thanks again
Hi,
Dr Bloxham has posted a Youtube video update which you can find here.
hi Ft, long time no updates ?
Do you mind contacting Dr. Longaker to check if there is any ?
is this still a thing ? FT Can you help us to understand if Dr. Bloxham dropped the trial or he will update us and when ?
Dr Bloxham hasn’t uploaded any new videos to their YouTube, but I will follow up with him and see if there are any further updates to be expected.
hello FT, did you manage to contact Dr. Bloxham ?
If we knew at least when he will update or if he dropped the trial, that would be awesome.