Hair Loss Treatment

Dr Proctor treats hair loss

Skin Pharmacol. 1994;7:67
The phototrichogram: analysis of some technical factors of variation.
Van Neste DJ, et al

edited for blog

Photographic methods for hair evaluation are frequently proposed as an alternative to more invasive methods. The reliability in terms of quantitative follow-up of hair regrowth has not been evaluated properly. We report results of comparative studies of scalp hair evaluation with various photographic methods. Statistically significant findings were a better detection of scalp hairs using the original enlargement x 3 as compared to x 2 and a more acceptable estimate of linear hair growth rate with ‘scalp immersion proxigraphy’ (SIP) (0.317 mm/day) as compared with classical phototrichogram pictures where this variable was underestimated by 30% on average. SIP-generated linear hair regrowth rates were very close to the micrometric method. Therefore SIP x 3 images appear preferable for hair growth monitoring during clinical trials.

J Am Acad Dermatol. Mar;16:653

minoxidil-induced hair regrowth in alopecia areata.

Fiedler-Weiss VC.
snip…. Biopsy specimens taken from areas of terminal hair regrowth show a dose-dependent increase in hair follicle length, a decrease in tissue lymphocyte populations associated with a simultaneous increase in peripheral blood lymphocyte counts, and reopening of previously closed lumina of perifollicular vessels. ..snip… . Minoxidil may induce hair regrowth in alopecia areata by a synergistic stimulatory effect on follicular epithelium and a suppressive effect on lymphocyte-mediated immunologic phenomena.

Hautarzt. 1987 Aug;38(8):474

Hair loss in meralgia paraesthetica

Krause KH, et al

Two patients are described who had a lesion in the lateral cutaneous nerves of the thigh, both of which were verified by anamnestic, clinical and electrophysiological data. Both showed hair loss in the region supplied by the nerve. A biopsy performed on one patient showed atrophy of the epidermis and hair follicles. It is pointed out that this kind of trophic disturbance, which is very seldom described in literature on meralgia paraesthetica, may possibly be found more often in long-standing cases of this disease.

Hair regroqth aned hair loss treatment

J Am Acad Dermatol.198411:216

T cell subpopulations in alopecia areata.

Todes-Taylor N, et al

The hair loss associated with alopecia areata remains of unknown cause and unsatisfactory treatment. Histologically it is characterized by a lymphocytic infiltrate that surrounds the lower half of the hair follicle. Our findings show that 64% to 92% of this infiltrate is composed of T lymphocytes bearing the Leu 3a (helper-inducer) phenotype. The remaining lymphocytes demonstrate the Leu 2a (cytotoxic-suppressor) phenotype. This helper T cell predominance is present in all patients, irrespective of clinical activity or duration of disease. The Leu 3a/Leu 2a ratio ranged from 2.6 to 19.8, the higher ratios being seen in patients with clinically active disease. The cutaneous infiltrate also is Ia-positive, indicating the activated nature of these lymphocytes.

Hair loss blog

Arch Dermatol. 1992 Oct;128(10):1349

Loose anagen hair as a cause of hereditary hair loss in children.

Baden HP, ert al

BACKGROUND AND DESIGN–The loose anagen hair syndrome is a recently described disorder with enhanced hair loss in which anagen hairs can be painlessly pulled from the scalp. RESULTS–In three families, we have observed an autosomal dominant form of inheritance. We have confirmed that the extracted bulbs consist only of cortical cells and that the hair shafts have an abnormal shape. Using routine light and electron microscopy, we observed disadhesion between all layers of the follicle and within some layers and premature keratinization of the inner root sheath of the follicle. In addition, abnormal maturation of the various layers was observed at the electron microscopic level, including regions of the cortex that contained decreased numbers of filaments. …snip… CONCLUSIONS–Possible mechanisms responsible for the disease include abnormal intercellular signaling and disturbances of desmosomal components and/or cadherins.

Hautarzt. 1975 Jul;26(7):367-9.

Penetration and side effects of local estrogen application in pattern hairloss

Orfanos CE, Wüstner H.
In 30 male patients aged 17-37 with definite androgenetic (“male pattern”) alopecia (AA, telogen hair rate greater than 20%) the total urinary estrogen level was estimated before and after topical hairloss treatment: In 18 patients estrogen in a alcoholic vehicle (0.05% dienestroldiacetate) was daily applied on the scalp skin; whereas 12 patients were treated with a corresponding preparation without estrogen and served as controls. Before treatment the average estrogen level of all patients with AA was 23.3 mum/24 hrs (individual data ranged from 9.4-45.6 mum/24 hrs) and was thus slightly elevated but still within the normal range. 3 and 6 months after treatment no significant differences of the urinary estrogen level were found between the controlled patients of the two groups and, similarly, no clinical side-effects of the estrogen application (gynecomasty etc.) were recorded. It seems, on the basis of this study, that a long-term topical treatment with estrogen does not involve considerable risks regarding side-effects on male adults, in contrast to children and youngsters. On the assumption that estrogen may be effective in male pattern hair loss, a local mechanism of action of treatment on the hair follicle is considered.

Int J Dermatol. 1985 Nov;24(9):608-10.

Treatment of alopecia areata with topical nitrogen mustard.

Arrazola JM, Sendagorta E, Harto A, Ledo A.

Eleven patients with hair loss due to alopecia areata (localized and totalis types) were treated with topically applied nitrogen mustard. Nine patients had terminal hair regrowth; in 7 of the 11 patients, it was cosmetically acceptable. Hair regrowth began approximately 1-2 months after the initiation of therapy. Two patients had an allergic contact dermatitis reaction to the mechloretamine solution; no systemic side effects were seen. During a follow-up period of 12 months, only two patients had a recurrence. These preliminary results indicate that topically applied nitrogen mustard has a significant effect in alopecia areata.