Drugs Affecting Hair Growth

January 1990

Ervin Novak

hair growth cycles hair follicles X-ray irradiation dermal papilla androgen testosterone 5-alpha-reductase dihydrotestosterone androgenic alopecia hair transplantation DHT baldness hair transplant

TLDR Different hair growth phases affect how follicles respond to X-rays, and hormones like testosterone and dihydrotestosterone play a key role in baldness; transplanted hair can grow on bald scalp areas.

The study from 34 years ago examined the hair growth cycles and their effects on hair follicles. It found that hair follicles respond differently to X-ray irradiation depending on their growth phase, highlighting the need for controlled studies. The research also showed that follicular growth is dependent on the interaction between the dermal papilla and the follicle's epidermal position. The study confirmed that androgen is the stimulating factor for common baldness and that hair follicles are active target organs of testosterone. The enzyme 5-alpha-reductase, more active in the growth phase, converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, which was found to play a significant role in androgenic alopecia. The study also demonstrated that the scalp can support hair growth when hairs are transplanted onto bald areas.

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22 / 22 results

research Topical Minoxidil in the Treatment of Male Pattern Alopecia

7 citations , November 1987 in “Pharmacotherapy: The Journal of Human Pharmacology and Drug Therapy”

Minoxidil can help thicken hair in some people with male pattern baldness, especially if used early and continuously.

research Safety and efficacy of topical minoxidil in the management of androgenetic alopecia

67 citations , March 1987 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Minoxidil helps hair growth and prevents hair loss in androgenetic alopecia. It's safe and effective.

research Dose-response study of topical minoxidil in male pattern alopecia

24 citations , March 1987 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Minoxidil 1% and 2% best promote hair growth and may prevent hair loss.

research Action of topical minoxidil in the bald stump-tailed macaque

78 citations , March 1987 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Minoxidil promotes hair growth but stops working when discontinued.

research Effect of minoxidil on pre- and postconfluent keratinocytes

22 citations , March 1987 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Minoxidil prolongs cell life, slows aging, and may produce longer hairs.

research Dose-response study of topical minoxidil in male pattern baldness

58 citations , July 1986 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Lowest effective minoxidil concentration is 1%, but 2% works better for male pattern baldness.

research Review: Topical Minoxidil for Male Pattern Baldness

25 citations , May 1986 in “The American Journal of the Medical Sciences”

Minoxidil helps hair growth and boosts self-esteem in balding men.

research Topical minoxidil in early male pattern baldness

138 citations , August 1985 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Minoxidil promotes hair growth in male pattern baldness.

research Cyclic dynamics of hair follicles and the effect of minoxidil on the bald scalps of stumptailed macaques

54 citations , June 1985 in “American Journal of Dermatopathology”

Minoxidil helps grow longer, thicker hair in bald scalps of stumptailed macaques, and early treatment is more effective.

research Topically Applied Minoxidil in Baldness

26 citations , March 1985 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

Minoxidil helps hair growth, but results vary.

research Topical Minoxidil Therapy in Hereditary Androgenetic Alopecia

55 citations , February 1985 in “Archives of Dermatology”

Using minoxidil on the scalp can help grow hair for people with hereditary baldness.

research Percutaneous Absorption of Minoxidil in Man

52 citations , February 1985 in “Archives of Dermatology”

Minoxidil absorbs poorly through skin, with low risk of side effects at 1-2% concentration.

research In Vitro Suppression of Human Lymphocyte Activity by Minoxidil

17 citations , January 1985 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

Minoxidil may help hair growth by stopping immune system attacks on hair follicles.

research Topical minoxidil for hair regrowth

80 citations , September 1984 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

5% minoxidil helps hair regrowth in androgenic alopecia.

research Minoxidil Stimulates Cutaneous Blood Flow in Human Balding Scalps: Pharmacodynamics Measured by Laser Doppler Velocimetry and Photopulse Plethysmography

137 citations , May 1984 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Minoxidil increases blood flow in balding scalps, possibly reversing hair loss.

research Direct Effects of Minoxidil on Epidermal Cells in Culture

63 citations , January 1984 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Minoxidil promotes hair growth by increasing cell division and DNA synthesis.

research Effect of Minoxidil on Cultured Keratinocytes

72 citations , December 1983 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Minoxidil helps hair cells live longer and grow longer.

research Topical Minoxidil in Alopecia Areata

56 citations , August 1981 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Minoxidil helps hair regrowth in alopecia areata safely.

research Considerations on Hair Research and Hair Growth

7 citations , January 1981 in “Springer eBooks”

The document concludes that hair biology is complex and there are still unanswered questions about hair loss and follicle changes.

research Alopecia.

22 citations , June 1980 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

The document concludes that correct diagnosis of alopecia types is crucial, scalp biopsies are important, and more research is needed.

research Testosterone Metabolism in the Skin

74 citations , November 1975 in “Archives of dermatology”

Increased DHT formation in skin can cause hair loss, acne, and excessive hair growth, and antiandrogens might treat these conditions.

research Growth of the Hair

521 citations , January 1954 in “Physiological Reviews”

Hair growth is cyclic and influenced mainly by local factors.

7 / 7 results

research Follicular Unit Extraction Hair Transplantation

May 2017 in “InTech eBooks”

Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) is a popular hair transplant method with minimal scarring that can transplant many grafts quickly and improve appearance and psychological well-being.

research Hair Restoration Surgery: Follicular Unit Grafting

January 2017

Follicular unit grafting is a procedure used to treat hair loss, where small hair grafts are placed into the scalp, with future treatments likely to involve smaller incisions and cell-based therapies.

research Body to Scalp: Evolving Trends in Body Hair Transplantation

22 citations , January 2017 in “Indian Dermatology Online Journal”

Body hair transplants can treat baldness but differ from scalp hair and need more research on long-term results and side effects.

research Hair Characteristics and Androgenetic Alopecia in Koreans

8 citations , January 2013 in “Journal of The Korean Medical Association”

Korean hair is typically thicker with a slower growth rate, and treatments like Dutasteride are effective for male pattern hair loss without major side effects.

research Alopecia

January 2007 in “Elsevier eBooks”

Alopecia areata is a reversible, autoimmune-related hair loss that can have significant emotional impact and uncertain treatment effectiveness.

research Hair anatomy for the clinician

139 citations , July 1991 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Understanding hair follicle anatomy helps diagnose hair disorders.

research Drugs Affecting Hair Growth

January 1990

Different hair growth phases affect how follicles respond to X-rays, and hormones like testosterone and dihydrotestosterone play a key role in baldness; transplanted hair can grow on bald scalp areas.