A new August 2025 study from China in relation to insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and hair growth is making some waves in the hair loss world. The authors synthesized a biomimetic peptide of IGF-1 (called Ac-GFFY-IGF) that structurally and functionally mimicked IGF-1. Also of note, another recent Chinese study from July 2025 covered targeting IGF-1 induced cellular senescence in order to rejuvenate hair follicle aging.
IGF-1 Hair Growth. Source: Bioactive Materials.
In mouse models, it ended up:
- Promoting the proliferation of dermal papilla cells.
- Resisting dihydrotestosterone (DHT)-induced hair follicle apoptosis.
- Facilitating the transition of hair follicles from telogen (resting) to anagen (growing) phase.
- Promoting hair regrowth more effectively than minoxidil and native IGF-1 in androgenetic alopecia mouse models.