Please forgive us. Sometimes when we don our BFT host hats, it’s impossible to remain entirely dispassionate about our daytime work. Today is one of those days. We are enthused and encouraged and can’t contain ourselves. There’s news to report and results to share. But as is our style, in the process you will learn a bit of science with enough bedtime reading references to induce REM sleep in even the worst insomniacs.
Recall that by age 50 over 80% of men are experiencing significant hair thinning with many of them opting to spend anywhere from $3000 to $20,000 for a hair transplant procedure. Annual expenditures for hair transplantation in the United States is a staggering $800 million. Perhaps more shocking, in excess of $250 million is spent on toupees and hairpieces. Nineteen percent of women experience significant hair loss sometime during their lifespan. Obviously, an effective option that “awakens” quiescent hair follicles has a large eager and waiting market.
It’s fairly certain some readers suspected we might be busy developing a hair regrowth product when we did three prior posts on hair a while back. We were, but early in the process. Much has happened since. As we explained before, hair physiology is very complex. A combinatorial (“multi-prong”) approach to hair regrowth was the strategy we adopted to give us the best odds at stirring slumbering hair follicles into action.
HERETOFORE LIMITED NON-SURGICAL OPTIONS
For many years, the market has had limited offerings with which to coax quiescent hair follicles to change their ways and resume producing visible hair. Minoxidil (Rogainâ) exploits the hair growth side-effect noticed when the anti-hypertensive drug was first being tested. The accepted mechanism of action is that minoxidil shortens telogen, the resting phase of the hair growth cycle, and has a vasodilatory effect that improves peri-follicular blood flow. Finasteride (Propeciaâ), the only other FDA approved drug for hair loss, is a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor which inhibits the transformation of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone, the metabolite of testosterone that causes pattern baldness in both sexes. A significant number of people taking finasteride discontinue due to side effects, particularly reduced libido and erectile dysfunction. The effect of both minoxidil and finasteride appears to be more to slow hair loss, than to significantly increase hair growth.
PRP (platelet rich plasma) has been injected into the scalp but with mixed results. The purported mechanism of action being localized increased levels of growth factors and cytokines including transforming growth factor (TGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), insulin-like growth factor (IGF), and interleukin-1. PRP involves blood aspiration from a vein, centrifugation of the blood and activation of the derived platelets, followed by injection of PRP into multiple sites in the balding scalp. There is substantial associated cost.
Low level laser therapy (LLLT) has increased hair counts in both men and women, albeit with modest improvement and with the requirement that the LLLT devices be worn often and for significant periods of time.
WHAT WE’RE DEALING WITH – MINIATURE HAIR FOLLICLES
Androgenetic alopecia is the result of progressive cyclical miniaturization of the hair follicle due to the influence of dihydrotestosterone on the hair follicle over time. Eventually, the follicle may disappear altogether. Totally obliterated hair follicles are impossible to resurrect although methods of regeneration with stem cell technology may one day evolve. We are not there now. Even miniature follicles give us something to work with.
On a substantially bald pate, most follicles have become miniaturized but continue to produce tiny wisps of hair. Progressively get small enough and one sees velus hair, the near colorless tiny hair of childhood. These miniature in size, yet functioning follicles may still respond to the proper physiologic signals. Our efforts have focused on identifying which signals are most important based on peer reviewed published literature, and our own research.
COMBINATORIAL “MULTI-PRONG” APPROACH
Not surprising, at least to us, many of the signals are ones that can be produced using laboratory culture of our old friends, bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells. This is especially true when specialized protocols are used to coax the cells to produce certain types of bio-signals (discussed below.)
Much of the published hair research over the past decade or so has focused on the role individual growth factors and cytokines play in hair follicle physiology. Some of these include the major bio-signals one finds in PRP. Unlike our usual refrain of “focus on anti-inflammatory bio-signals for chronic skin use”, there is a role for certain cytokines one usually associates with the genesis of inflammation including VEGF which helps increase localized blood flow. Improving blood flow to follicles is a good thing.
Another class of bio-signals proven effective in hair follicle stimulation is extracts derived from botanical source. Our innovative system includes nearly two dozen of these botanicals which are used in alternating (every other day) fashion with stem cell-derived and synthetic bio-signals.
Finally, there are certain molecules that have proof of efficacy in hair follicle stimulation that are included in our system.
THE USE OF MICRONEEDLING
The creation of thousands of tiny shallow perforations in the surface of the skin of the scalp serves multiple purposes. It enhances penetration through the normal surface barrier and increases availability of topically applied stem cell and synthetic bio-signals to peri-follicular tissues. It is not used with botanical extracts. Only naturally occurring substances, ones that are normally found within human tissues, should be administered using microneedling. This includes bio-signals produced by stem cell culture and synthetic versions which are molecularly identical to those produces by our own cells.
UNIQUE ROSTER of ACTIVE INGREDIENTS
Wnt-Conditioned Media
The wnt//b-catenin signaling pathway enables activated cell surface receptors to influence gene transcription at the nuclear level; they are universally required for cell proliferation, differentiation and migration. Hence, they are integral to hair follicle development and growth. Prolonged ectopic Wnt-mediated β-catenin activation causes regenerating anagen hair follicles to grow larger in size with dramatically enhanced proliferation within the matrix, dermal papilla and hair shaft. Wnt proteins are lipid-modified, constraining them to act as short-range cellular signals only.
Stem cells fuel tissue development, renewal and regeneration, activities controlled by the local microenvironment, or “niche.” The locality of Wnt controls how stem cells differentiate, indeed enabling the self-organization of patterned tissues. The signaling pathway is an ancient evolutionary program dating from when Wnt signals arose in the simplest multicellular organism. Hair follicle genesis, function and phase transitioning is impossible without Wnt signaling. We manipulate our human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell cultures, employing proprietary specialized techniques, enable harvesting of conditioned media with a “wnt emphasis.”
Cucurbitacin B
Another regulator of gene expression that controls cellular processes including growth and cycle progression is PAK1, a serine/threonine kinase that regulates both physiologic and disease processes. PAK1 blockers, such as cucurbitacin B, have been shown to be anti-oncogenic, anti-melanogenic and anti-alopecia i.e. promoting hair growth. Among the many known PAK1-inhibitors, cucurbitacin B from bitter melon is the most potent in its ability to promote the growth of hair cells.
Adenosine
Hair follicles produce hair fibers during the anagen growth phase. In a culture of dermal papilla cells in vitro, adenosine stimulated proliferation and activated and prolonged the anagen phase. Adenosine also promotes the expression of several growth factors responsible for hair growth, including fibroblast growth factors (FGF)-7, FGF-2, insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). β-catenin is a co-activator of Wnt/β-catenin signaling that induces morphogenesis and differentiation of hair follicles and also acts to transactivate downstream signaling pathways. Transcriptional activation of β-catenin in dermal papilla cells is increased by adenosine.
Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled studies of Japanese men and women confirm adenosine improves androgenic alopecia. Volunteers used either 0.75% adenosine lotion or a placebo lotion topically twice daily for 12 months. Adenosine significantly increased the anagen hair growth rate and hair thickness.
C3pipa
Metabolic reprogramming is necessary for regulating the fate of stem cell populations. It is now acknowledged that stem cells use a wide variety of substrates, such as glucose, glutamine, and fatty acids to support production of biosynthetic intermediates and/or energy during proliferation or differentiation. Recent findings point to pyruvate as one of the key metabolites controlling stem cell function. The metabolic fate of pyruvate, toward lactate production or mitochondrial metabolism, is a key aspect of the regulation of the stem cell compartment as it participates in the decision between the maintenance of self-renewal or the promotion of clonal expansion and differentiation. Substances regulating pyruvate metabolism are reported to alter the balance between self-renewal and differentiation states.
Caffeine
In cultures of male human hair follicles, caffeine counteracts the suppression of hair shaft production by testosterone. A study of male and female scalp hair follicles showed the caffeine effect was even more pronounced in female hair follicles. In both sexes, caffeine enhanced hair shaft elongation, prolonged anagen duration and stimulated hair matrix keratinocyte proliferation.
Caffeine counteracted the testosterone-enhanced TGF-β2 protein expression seen in male and female hair follicles, enhanced IGF-1 protein expression, stimulated cell proliifer-ation, inhibited apoptosis/necrosis, and upregulated IGF-1 gene expression and protein secretion.
Baicalin
The flavonoid baicalin is known to have multiple biological functions including activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. The hair growth promoting effects of baicalin in human follicular dermal papilla cells was studied. Evaluated was its effect on β-catenin signaling and growth factor expression levels. Results indicated that baicalin activates Wnt/β-catenin signaling in a dose-dependent manner in human DP cells and it induces the mRNA expression of growth factors, such as insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Compared to vehicle treatment, baicalin treatment induced an earlier conversion from telogen to anagen. The results strongly suggest that baicalin promotes hair growth by regulating the dermal papilla cell activity.
Quercetin
Testosterone is necessary for the development of male pattern baldness (androgenic alopecia) yet the mechanisms for decreased hair growth are unclear. It is known that prostaglandin D2 synthase and prostaglandin 2 are elevated in bald scalp compared to haired scalp of men with androgenic alopecia. Prostaglandin D2 inhibition has been discovered as a pharmacological mechanism for treating androgenic alopecia. A study of 12 traditional herbal treatments for baldness concluded that a common mechanism of action was inhibition of prostaglandin D2 synthase although most botanicals had unacceptable side-effects such as skin irritation, sensitization, corrosiveness or poor absorption. Quercetin in particular shows good pharmacokinetic properties including anti-inflammatory effect and minimal adverse skin reaction.
L-Carnitine
The amino acid l-carnitine plays a key role in the intramitochondrial transport of fatty acids for beta-oxidation and thus serves important functions in cellular energy metabolism, making supplementation of potential value by increasing the energy supply in the proliferating and energy-consuming anagen hair matrix. Hair follicles in the anagen stage of the hair cycle were cultured in the presence of l-carnitine-l-tartrate for 9 days. At day 9, treated hair follicles showed a moderate, but significant stimulation of hair shaft elongation compared with vehicle-treated controls. Apoptosis was down regulated, and proliferation up regulated.
Vitamin E Acetate
Studies have shown an association between oxidative stress and alopecia. Patients with alopecia exhibit lower levels of antioxidants in their scalp as well as a higher lipid peroxidation index. Tocotrienols belong to the vitamin E family and are known to be potent antioxidants. A placebo-controlled study investigated the effect of tocotrienol supplementation on hair growth in volunteers suffering from hair loss. The number of hairs in the tocotrienol supplementation group increased significantly as compared to the placebo group, with the former recording a 34.5% increase at the end of the 8-month supplementation as compared to a 0.1% decrease for the latter. This observed effect was most likely to be due to the antioxidant activity of tocotrienols that helped to reduce lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress in the scalp.
Herbal Extracts
Traditional medicine has used botanical agents in promoting hair growth with centuries of anecdotal success. Soph-isticated methods were used to investigate many of these botanical agents to evaluate their benefits in improving balding.
The expression levels of 5α-reductase were analyzed using quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction in the human follicular dermal papilla cells. The 5α-reductase mRNAs and proteins were detected in the cultured cells and the expression level in the presence of the herbal extracts was gradually decreased. Herbal extracts were found to significantly increase the proliferation of human dermal papilla cells. These results suggest herbal extracts exert positive effects on hair proliferation and could be a valuable therapy for increasing hair proliferation.
Synthetic Bio-identical Growth Factors & Bio-signals
A growing medical literature confirms the value of topically applied growth factors and cytokines for skin anti-aging prophylaxis, repair and wound healing. Additionally, topical bio-signals have proven efficacy in modulation of inflammation following energy-based aesthetic treatments and microneedling, leading to enhanced healing with reduced likelihood of inflammation related sequelae such as hyper-pigmentation and fibrosis. Indeed, the popular use of platelet rich plasma (PRP) for a myriad of aesthetic indications, including hair regrowth, is due to the cytokines and growth factors PRP contains, most notably PDGF, VEGF, EGF, KGF, among others. Although PRP contains several bio-signals important for follicle stimulation and hair re-growth, there are certain others known to be of benefit which PRP lacks. Understanding which cytokines and growth factors are important and helpful in hair follicle stimulation makes it possible to create a “cocktail” of synthetic bio-signals capable of surpassing PRP in efficacy. Important biosignals to include are: IGF-1, IGF-2, aFGF, bFGF, KGF, KGF-2, SCF, CSF-1, PDGF, EPO, Noggin, and VEGF.
CLINICAL TRIAL (12-week and 24-week duration)
Study Population
Men and women between 30 years and 65 years of age (average 47) with mild to moderate pattern baldness according to the Norwood-Hamilton and Ludwig-Savin grading scales and of less than 10 years duration were enrolled in the study. Subjects on finasteride or minoxidil within the past 6 months, or with any known systemic illness were excluded.
Study Design
A total of 33 subjects (30 men and 3 female) were enrolled after providing written informed consent. Volunteers received six microneedling sessions of the scalp, each two weeks apart, using specially formulated bio-signals (cytokines and growth factors) derived from culture of adult human stem cells and synthesized in the laboratory.
Subjects also received 2 take-home products to be used on their scalp in an alternating fashion, and an at-home roller of needle size 0.25 mm to be used twice a week. One product contained human bone marrow stem cell culture and synthetically derived growth factors and cytokines and was used in conjunction with the home dermaroller. The other product contained botanical extracts and was used without the dermaroller.
Volunteers filled out questionnaires at the beginning and end of the study and gave permission to take high resolution photographs of their scalp before, during and at the end of the study.
Because of inconvenience and/or the time commitment required, five participants elected to drop out during the 12- week study. Of those that completed the 12-week study, twelve elected to participate for an additional 12 weeks (the 24-week study) which was conducted in identical fashion.
In-Office Microneedling Procedure
In-office microneedling was performed after the scalp was prepared with benzocaine, lidocaine, tetracaine topical anesthetic on the treatment area for 30 minutes and disinfected with 70% isopropyl alcohol. The scalp was needled in longitudinal, vertical and diagonal directions using either 1.0 mm electric “pen” devices or 1.0 mm dermarollers. Topical product specially formulated for hair regrowth was applied during and immediately after microneedling treatments.
Efficacy Evaluation
Two primary efficacy parameters were assessed: Patient assessment of hair growth at 12 and 24 weeks, and investigator assessment of hair growth at 12 and 24 weeks. Subjects who completed all 12 weeks or all 24 weeks of the trial were considered in the respective evaluations. Five subjects dropped out during the twelve-week study and their results were not included in the summaries.
Patient self-assessment: Patients assessed their hair growth through a series of questionnaires evaluating differences in overall hair growth, new hair growth, and rate of continuing hair loss.
Investigator assessment: Standardized color high-resolution photographs of the affected area were taken in the same position at each visit. Paired baseline and post-treatment photographs were independently reviewed by the same evaluator, with the use of a standardized 7-point scale describing the amount of visible hair in balding areas (-3 = greatly decreased, -2 = moderately decreased, -1 = slightly decreased, 0 = no change, +1 = slightly increased, +2 = moderately increased, +3 = greatly increased).
Efficacy assessment: 12-week study
Patient subjective evaluation of hair growth at week 12 was a primary efficacy variable. 23 of 28 subjects (85%) reported a reduction in rate of hair loss or no hair loss during the course of the 12-week study. 14 of 28 subjects (50%) reported visible new hair growth. 26 of 28 patients (93%) reported either less hair loss or new hair growth.
Investigator evaluation of hair growth at week 12 was a primary efficacy variable. 18 of 28 patients in the study had a +2 to +3 response on a 7-point visual analogue scale (moderately increased or greatly increased amount of visible hair in balding areas.)
No significant adverse events were reported during the course of the 12-week study.
Efficacy assessment: 24-week study
Patient subjective evaluation of hair growth at week 24 was a primary efficacy variable. 9 of 11 subjects (82%) reported a reduction in rate of hair loss or no hair loss during the course of the 24-week study. 7 of 12 subjects (58%) reported visible new hair growth. 11 of 12 patients (92%) reported either less hair loss or new hair growth.
Investigator evaluation of hair growth at week 24 was a primary efficacy variable. 9 of 12 patients in the study (75%) had a +2 to +3 response on a 7-point visual analogue scale (moderately increased or greatly increased amount of visible hair in balding areas.)
No significant adverse events were reported during the course of the 24-week study.
STUDY RESULTS | ||||
12 WEEKS TWENTY-EIGHT SUBJECTS | ||||
REDUCED OR NO HAIR LOSS | 85% (23 of 28) | |||
VISIBLE NEW HAIR GROWTH | 50% (14 of 28) | |||
LESS HAIR LOSS OR NEW HAIR | 93% (26 of 28) | |||
24 WEEKS TWELVE SUBJECTS | ||||
REDUCED OR NO HAIR LOSS | 83% (10 of 12) | |||
VISIBLE NEW HAIR GROWTH | 58% (7 of 12)) | |||
LESS HAIR LOSS OR NEW HAIR | 92% (11of 12) |
SELECTED PHOTOS of STUDY PARTICIPANT
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY
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Hello.
I know it’s not about this topic what I want to ask, but where I can buy the system AnteAge since u don’t ship to Belgium. My skin is iritaded and I have weekly red/inflamared patches.
Actually, we DO ship overseas and that may include Belgium. (I’m not involved in orders and shipping so can’t be certain. I would suggest entering an order online and my suspicion is it will “take”. Let us know if you’re not successful.
I’m about to do an experiment on myself. I have androgenic alopecia and am already being treated with high doses of Spirinolactin (can cause high iris acid/gout like side effects). Rogaine very worked for me. Next week I will inject my scalp with PRP on one side/section and the other with AAMD hair needling solution (yes off label use). We will document results with photos and hopefully in 12 weeks see results. Wondering if there is a particular protocol you know works better than others
Funny you should ask.
Of course, we do not advocate such a use of our product as it is not produced for that particular purpose. Which, as you mentioned, makes that an “off label use”. (Defined below.)
We are aware of several United States practitioners who have elected to use our product via injection, the same method that PRP is used for hair regrowth. My sources tell me that significant increases in hair growth are being achieved. Hopefully, we will have some photos that we can share before too long. We are especially interested in your experimental design i.e. split scalp injections comparing our product to PRP. We are certain the reduced costs and elimination of the blood draw required by PRP will appeal to many.
From Wikipedia – Off-label use is the use of pharmaceutical drugs for an unapproved indication or in an unapproved age group, dosage, or route of administration. Both prescription drugs and over-the-counter drugs can be used in off-label ways, although most studies of off-label use focus on prescription drugs.
Hi Docs, would your hair growth serum work on eyelashes (off label use)? Is the pH suitable for the eye area? Many thanks,
Janine
Janine, we actually made an eyelash and a brow product based on our science. You can get some info aboutthem here https://www.overnightbrows.com/ but it won’t be released for a few more weeks as an AnteAGE product (http://anteage.com).
So I’m wondering if this cocktail of bio signals and botanicals that work on the hair (eyelash in my case) need to continually be applied in the same way Latisse is used. Basically once you stop Latisse the hair growth stops. Is this bio signal cocktail able to “wake up” the hair so that it goes through a growth cycle falls out and grows back again? Thanks, Janine
Latisse is a prostaglandin-based anti-glaucoma drug with possible side effect of permanent eye color change – also possible systemic (whole body) effects – so not for the weak of heart.
Good question on the eyelash growth cycle. Normally the cycle is ~ anagen (growth, 30 days) then catagen (transition, 15 days) then telogen (resting, until lash falls out, up to 90 days). The cytokine & growth factor profile in AnteAge hair / eyelash works to keep the hair follicles longer in the anagen (active growth) phase. That allows longer, thicker eyelashes to be created. When follicles do finally move to telogen, lashes are less prone to shedding. The once they do shed, the push back to anagen tends to be quick. Some people are concerned about how many lashes they lose per week or month (shedding). That’s fine, but I tend to focus more on the quality of lashes. If they grow more quickly, are healthier & longer, then a faster turnover is not necessarily a bad thing.
I’m interested in trying micro needling for hair regrowth. I’ve used Rogaine for eight years and it has done nothing.
Can you please tell me the name of the “topical product specially formulated for hair regrowth” that was applied during and immediately after microneedling treatments”? I don’t want to use an incorrect product since your article also states “Only naturally occurring substances, ones that are normally found within human tissues, should be administered using microneedling. This includes bio-signals produced by stem cell culture and synthetic versions which are molecularly identical to those produces by our own cells.” How often was the micorneedling done?
The products spoken of are AnteAGE MD Hair Microneedling Solution and AnteAGE Hair System. The MD product is used during microneedling sessions in a professional setting. During our trial we treated every two weeks at a depth of 1.0 mm for a minimum of six sessions. Nearly all participants reported dramatic reduction or elimination of ongoing hair loss, and a majority saw moderate to greatly enhanced new hair growth. The home system has a dermal stamp used with the stem cell component of the system, combined with a botanical extract product (24 botanicals are included) that is applied but without dermal stamping. Each home component is intended for 2-3 times a week usage.
At his time, a clinical trial is being completed in the office of one of the nation’s foremost hair restoration experts. His findings are expected to be presented in an annual medical meeting next month. We are told results are “impressive.” Stay tuned as we’ll have more to say about this after his presentation.
The products used are those that are now marketed under the AnteAGE MD brand. You can see them at https://anteage.com/collections/medical-hair-treatments
These products are sold through our physician network. The study included microneedling sessions at two-week intervals with 1.0 mm needle length. Please contact the folks at anteage.com to find out who near you carries the products.
I have started using your serum and activator and my skin is taking to it quite well. My boyfriend has started complaining about thinning hair and, trusting the research that goes behind your products, I want to get him your hair products. However, I’m having a lot of trouble finding a way to purchase–any tips?
You can see the products on the AnteAGE website at https://anteage.com/collections/medical-hair-treatments
Contact the folks at AnteAGE.com to find out where to purchase products and receive treatments. The hair products are sold via the medical professional reseller network.
Would these products benefit a person not experiencing androgenic alopecia or alopecia in general? I went to an unfortunately negligent hairstylist who incorrectly bleached my hair and burned chunks of it off.The faster I can make my hair grow the better, and I’m curious if this method would benefit me.
Your problem sounds like a temporary one, assuming the “burned” applies only to the hair shafts being treated and not the skin. Since you don’t mention scalp injury, I would anticipate that your hair follicles are fine and the loss of hair was due to chemical destruction of the hair that grows out of them. Stay patient. Maybe natural hair color should be considered, or moderate lightening with less harsh chemicals.
What will be the effect if I get professional microneedling with anteage then use Minoxidil at home?
Dpa, should be no problem. They work in different ways. Minoxidil helps to restore vascular flow from squeezed follicles sensitive to androgens. AnteAGE Hair works to helps to regrow tiny blood vessels as well as working on a bunch of other factors that cause follicles to reawaken, move them into to a natural hair growing phase, regenerate and activate the hair making (dp & stem) cells and coloring (melanocyte) cells in hair follicles (dp cells) such that hair grows faster, thicker, and more pigmented.
Would these hair regrowth products work on someone with alopecia areata? I am a woman in my mid-sixties and have been suffering from this kind of hair loss since my forties. It has been painfully embarrassing for so long now. I have been considering purchasing the at-home hair regrowth product but hesitate because I am not sure the results will justify the price.
Below is information on alopecia areata since some readers may not be aware of this condition.
As you will read, alopecia areata is an immunologic process with genetic causation. We are not aware of our product being used for this purpose but there is reason to believe they may prove to have benefit. Miniaturized follicles are the cause of this and androgenetic alopecia. Y
ou can see the products at https://anteage.com/collections/medical-hair-treatments
Contact the folks at AnteAGE.com if you wish to learn more.
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune skin disease, causing hair loss on the scalp, face or other areas of the body. All people can develop alopecia areata if genetically predisposed. It may appear during childhood or in later decades.
Alopecia areata is a “polygenic disease.” Unlike a single-gene disease, both parents must contribute a number of specific genes in order for a child to develop it. Because of this, most parents will not pass alopecia areata along to their children. With identical twins — who share all of the same genes — there’s only a 55% chance that if one has alopecia areata, the other will, too. This leads to the conclusion that there are other factors also in play.
With all forms of alopecia areata, the body’s immune system attacks hair follicles, causing them to become progressively smaller and dramatically slow down production to the point that hair growth stops. Depending on the type and severity of the disease, hair loss can be unpredictable and cyclical.
The major types are:
• Alopecia areata in patches — The most common form, with one or more coin-sized hairless patches on the scalp or other areas of the body
• Alopecia totalis — Total loss of the hair on the scalp
• Alopecia Universalis — Complete loss of hair on the scalp, face and body
Although there is no cure for alopecia areata. as long as the hair follicles remain “alive”, hair can grow back again. The main goals of treatment are to block the immune system attack and/or stimulate the regrowth of hair.
Intralesional corticosteroid injections is the most common form of treatment for alopecia areata. Corticosteroids taken in the form of a pill are sometimes prescribed for extensive scalp hair loss. Topical corticosteroids can be used to decrease the inflammation around the hair follicle.
Topical immunotherapy is used to treat extensive alopecia areata, alopecia totalis and alopecia universalis. Treatments include diphencyprone (DPCP), dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) or squaric acid dibutyl ester (SADBE).
Topical minoxidil 5% topical solution is applied once or twice a day to help stimulate hair on the scalp, eyebrows and beard to regrow. Minoxidil is commonly used in combination with topical corticosteroid medications. Minoxidil alone is seldom effective.
Anthralin, a tar-like substance also widely used for psoriasis is applied to the hairless patches once a day and then washed off typically after a short time (usually 30-60 minutes later) or in some cases, after several hours.
Immunomodulatory drugs — specifically, Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors — such as tofacitinib (Xeljanz) and ruxolitinib (Jakafi), are a new type of therapy being tested for alopecia areata. These medications were originally approved to treat certain blood disorders and rheumatoid arthritis. They are not approved by the FDA for alopecia areata yet and are only available in the form of an oral medication.
Thank you for your very informative articles. I have a question about your home hair re-growth product.
The post about the AnteAge hair system mentioned 2 different home use products to be used on alternate days, one with stem cell conditioned media which could be micro-needled. The other product contained botanical extracts and was NOT to be used with micro-needling. I was trying to buy the AnteAge home hair system on the AnteAge website and it now appears to have just one product-Hair Serum with both polybotanicals and cytokines and growth factors from conditioned media and it can be used in conjunction with micro-needling ( a derma stamp is provided with the serum). I am confused- Are those 2 products now combined into this single product Hair Serum? Per my understanding and reinforced by what I read on the BareFacedTruth site, botanical extracts and other ingredients that are not naturally produced by the human body should NOT be microneedled into the skin or scalp. How then is this Hair Serum safe to use with a derma stamp?
Thank you very much for your time.
For medical microneedling (0.5 mm or deeper) we stand by our recommendation that only natural substances, ones intrinsic to our physiology, be applied topically. Our home hair regrowth product is not intended for microneedling and now has the botanical and growth factor solutions combined. The hand stamp provided with the home care hair regrowth kit has much shorter needles (0.2 or 0.25mm) which are for “micro-channeling” i.e., enhancing penetration of the stratum corneum but not penetrating to the dermis. This change was instituted to simplify the home kit. Many months and innumerable uses later, we have not been made aware of any issues with our combined home solution. The MD version of the growth factor solution for hair re-growth does not contain botanicals. That is supplied as a separate product due to the fact it is intended to be used with microneedling.