Hair Loss and Hair Loss Treatment

Ann Dermatol. 2009;21:142

The therapeutic effect and the changed serum zinc level after zinc
supplementation in alopecia areata patients who had a low serum zinc level.

Park H, et al

edited for hair loss treatment blog

BACKGROUND: It has been reported that some alopecia areata patients have zinc
deficiency. There have also been several reports published concerning oral zinc
sulfate therapy, with encouraging results, in some alopecia areata patients.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effects of
oral zinc supplementation for twelve weeks in alopecia areata patients who had a
low serum zinc level. METHODS: Oral zinc gluconate (50 mg/T/day) supplementation
was given to alopecia areata patients without any other treatment for twelve
weeks. The serum zinc level was measured before and after zinc supplementation. A
four-point scale of hair regrowth was used to evaluate the therapeutic effect of
oral zinc supplementation in these patients. RESULTS: Fifteen alopecia areata
patients were enrolled in this study. After the therapy, the serum zinc levels
increased significantly from 56.9 microg/ to 84.5 microg/dl. Positive therapeutic
effects were observed for 9 out of 15 patients (66.7%) although this was not
statistically significant. The serum zinc levels of the positive response group
increased more than those of the negative response group (p=0.003). CONCLUSION:
Zinc supplementation needs to be given to the alopecia areata patients who have a
low serum zinc level. We suggest that zinc supplementation could become an
adjuvant therapy for the alopecia areata patients with a low serum zinc level and
for whom the traditional therapeutic methods have been unsuccessful.

Link: http://www.drproctor.com

Phytother Res. 2001 Jun;15(4):331-6. The first clinical trial of topical application of procyanidin B-2 to investigate its potential as a hair growing agent.

Takahashi T, Kamimura A, Yokoo Y, Honda S, Watanabe Y.

Procyanidin B-2 is a compound we have identified in apple which acts as a growth-promoting factor on murine hair epithelial cells. This report describes our investigation of the hair-growing effects of 1% procyanidin B-2 tonic after sequential use for 4 months. A double-blind clinical trial was performed, involving a total of 29 subjects (procyanidin B-2, 19 men; placebo, 10 men). No adverse side effects were observed in either group. In the procyanidin B-2 group, 78.9% showed an increased mean value of hair diameter, whereas only 30.0% in the placebo group showed any increase Fisher's exact probability test). The increased ratio of hairs measuring more than 40 microm in diameter after 4 months of procyanidin B-2 treatment was significantly higher than that of the placebo controls. The increase in number of total hairs in the designated scalp area (0.25 cm(2)) of procyanidin B-2 subjects after a 4 month trial was significantly greater than that of the placebo controls (procyanidin-B-2, 3.67 +/- 4.09 (mean +/- SD)/0.25 cm(2); placebo, -2.54 +/- 4.00/0.25 cm(2);. Procyanidin B-2 therapy shows potential as a promising treatment for male pattern baldness. Copyright 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Link: http://www.skindrugs.com/index.php

Clin Dermatol. 1988 Oct-Dec;6(4):119-21.

New topical agents for hair growth.

Roenigk HH Jr.

Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Illinois.

The topical agents developed thus far to treat male-pattern baldness or alopecia androgenica have provided encouraging results, but with continued efforts other new, more effective compounds are certain to be developed in the future in this promising new area of dermatologic research.

J La State Med Soc. 1994 Jan;146(1):7-8.

Male pattern baldness.

Duplechain G, White JA.

Tulane University Medical Center, Dept of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, New Orleans.

Male pattern baldness or alopecia androgenica is a common affliction affecting up to half the adult male population. Although females can be affected, the manifestations are usually limited to thinning of the hair. Over the past decade there has been increasing interest in treating male pattern baldness sparked by the introduction of minoxidil (Rogaine). This article will review the etiology, current treatments, and future developments.

Dermatology. 1998;196(4):474-7.

Ketoconazole shampoo: effect of long-term use in androgenic alopecia.

Piérard-Franchimont C, De Doncker P, Cauwenbergh G, Piérard GE.

BACKGROUND: The pathogenesis of androgenic alopecia is not fully understood. A microbial-driven inflammatory reaction abutting on the hair follicles might participate in the hair status anomaly. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to determine if ketoconazole (KCZ) which is active against the scalp microflora and shows some intrinsic anti-inflammatory activity might improve alopecia. METHOD: The effect of 2% KCZ shampoo was compared to that of an unmedicated shampoo used in combination with or without 2% minoxidil therapy. RESULTS: Hair density and size and proportion of anagen follicles were improved almost similarly by both KCZ and minoxidil regimens. The sebum casual level appeared to be decreased by KCZ. CONCLUSION: Comparative data suggest that there may be a significant action of KCZ upon the course of male pattern hair loss and that Malassezia spp. may play a role in the inflammatory reaction. The clinical significance of the results awaits further controlled study in a larger group of subjects.