Targeting the Gut Microbiota with Probiotics and Postbiotics: Emerging Strategies Against Alopecia

February 2026 in “ Probiotics and Antimicrobial Proteins ”

Vijay Singh, Md Sadique Hussain, Joy Das, Dinesh Kumar Chellappan, Priya Chaudhary, Sathvik Belagodu Sridhar, Uttam Prasad Panigrahy, Mohhammad Ramzan, Mohini Mondal, Sumel Ashique

gut microbiota probiotics postbiotics alopecia gut-skin axis hair health hair growth hair regeneration short-chain fatty acids skin barrier integrity immune function hair follicle health gut bacteria gut-derived metabolites

TLDR Modifying gut bacteria with pro- and postbiotics may help treat hair loss.

The document explores the potential of targeting the gut microbiota with pro- and postbiotics as treatments for alopecia, focusing on the gut-skin axis and its influence on hair health. It suggests that modulating gut microbiota could impact hair growth and regeneration, with gut-derived metabolites like short-chain fatty acids playing a role in maintaining skin barrier integrity and immune function, crucial for hair follicle health. The review calls for more research to understand the interactions between gut microbiota and alopecia, aiming to develop effective interventions for hair loss conditions.

View this study on link.springer.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

31 / 31 results

research Efficacy and Safety of Oral Minoxidil Compared to Topical Form in Male Pattern Hair Loss

August 2025 in “Archives of Dermatological Research”

Oral minoxidil is more effective than topical minoxidil for hair growth in men.

research The Multi-Faceted Role of Gut Microbiota in Alopecia Areata

3 citations , June 2025 in “Biomedicines”

Gut bacteria may influence hair loss in alopecia areata.

research The Future Of Alopecia Treatment: Plant Extracts, Nanocarriers, And 3D Bioprinting In Focus

11 citations , April 2025 in “Pharmaceutics”

New treatments like plant extracts, nanocarriers, and 3D bioprinting show promise for hair loss, but more research is needed.

research Modulating Immune Responses in Alopecia: Therapeutic Insights and Potential Targets of Antisense Oligonucleotides

April 2025 in “BMC Immunology”

Targeting SIRT1 with antisense oligonucleotides could be a promising treatment for hair loss.

research Efficacy and Safety of Latilactobacillus Curvatus LB-P9 on Hair Health: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

5 citations , November 2024 in “Frontiers in Nutrition”

LB-P9 supplements improve hair health and satisfaction without side effects.

research Nutritional and Microbial Strategies for Treating Acne, Alopecia, and Atopic Dermatitis

15 citations , October 2024 in “Nutrients”

A plant-based diet and certain probiotics may improve skin health and reduce inflammation.

research Randomized Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Effect of Probiotic Intake on Androgenic Alopecia

August 2024 in “Nutrients”

Probiotics help reduce hair loss and increase hair growth in people with androgenic alopecia.

research Disturbance of Immune Microenvironment in Androgenetic Alopecia Through Spatial Transcriptomics

August 2024 in “International Journal of Molecular Sciences”

Androgenetic alopecia involves immune cell disruptions, especially increased CD4+ T cells around hair follicles.

research Androgenic Alopecia Is Associated With Higher Dietary Inflammatory Index And Lower Antioxidant Index Scores

August 2024 in “Frontiers in Nutrition”

Antioxidant-rich diets may reduce hair loss risk, while pro-inflammatory diets may increase it, especially in women.

research The Metabolites of Bifidobacterium Longum BB536 Alleviate DHT-Damaged Human Dermal Papilla Cells by Activating WNT/β-Catenin Signaling

August 2024 in “Food Bioscience”

Bifidobacterium longum BB536 metabolites may help treat hair loss by repairing and promoting hair cell growth.

research The Causal Relationship Between Gut Microbiota and Alopecia Areata: A Mendelian Randomization Analysis

5 citations , July 2024 in “Frontiers in Microbiology”

Changes in gut bacteria might influence alopecia areata.

research Exploring the Role of Gut Microbiota in Patients with Alopecia Areata

10 citations , April 2024 in “International Journal of Molecular Sciences”

Gut bacteria differences may influence alopecia areata.

research Roles of Gut Microbiota in Androgenetic Alopecia: Insights from Mendelian Randomization Analysis

April 2024 in “Frontiers in microbiology”

Certain gut bacteria may increase or decrease the risk of male pattern baldness.

research Factors Associated With Early-Onset Androgenetic Alopecia: A Scoping Review

March 2024 in “PLOS ONE”

Early-onset baldness is linked to genetics, lifestyle, and can indicate higher risk for heart and metabolic diseases, and affects mental health.

research CXCL12 Neutralizing Antibody Promotes Hair Growth in Androgenic Alopecia and Alopecia Areata

January 2024 in “International Journal of Molecular Sciences”

Blocking the protein CXCL12 with a specific antibody can increase hair growth in common hair loss conditions.

research Regulatory T Cells in Skin Mediate Immune Privilege of the Hair Follicle Stem Cell Niche

21 citations , January 2024 in “Science Immunology”

Regulatory T cells protect hair follicle stem cells by maintaining immune privilege in the skin.

research Gut Microbiome, Metabolome and Alopecia Areata

2 citations , November 2023 in “Frontiers in microbiology”

The health of the gut may be important in developing new ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat alopecia areata.

research Akkermansia Muciniphila Promotes Testosterone-Mediated Hair Growth Inhibition in Mice

October 2023 in “FASEB bioAdvances”

Akkermansia muciniphila may help prevent testosterone-related hair loss.

research Targeted Immunotherapy for Hair Regrowth and Regeneration

October 2023 in “Frontiers in medicine”

Targeted immunotherapy could be a promising new treatment for hair regrowth.

research Revisiting the Role of Melatonin in Human Melanocyte Physiology: A Skin Context Perspective

26 citations , February 2022 in “Journal of pineal research”

Melatonin affects skin and hair color and protects skin cells, with potential benefits for hair growth and skin health.

research A Systematic Review of Acute Telogen Effluvium, a Harrowing Post-COVID-19 Manifestation

25 citations , December 2021 in “Journal of Medical Virology”

COVID-19 can cause a type of hair loss that usually starts 74 days after infection, affecting mostly women, but most patients eventually recover.

research Psychology of Hair Loss Patients and Importance of Counseling

7 citations , October 2021 in “Indian Journal of Plastic Surgery”

Hair loss patients need psychological counseling to cope better.

research Reversal of Alopecia Areata and Osteoporosis Following Treatment with Activation of TGR5 in Mice

14 citations , July 2021 in “Bioscience Reports”

Activating Tgr5 may help treat hair loss and bone loss.

research A Systematic Review on Topical Marketed Formulations, Natural Products, and Oral Supplements to Prevent Androgenic Alopecia

14 citations , October 2020 in “Natural Products and Bioprospecting”

Various treatments, including FDA-approved drugs, natural products, and oral supplements, can help with hair loss, but a patient's medical history and potential allergies should be considered when choosing a treatment.

research Clinical Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of a Hair Serum Product in Healthy Adult Male and Female Volunteers with Hair Fall

14 citations , September 2020 in “Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology”

The hair serum significantly improved hair growth and reduced hair fall without causing any skin issues.

research Hair Regrowth Following Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in an Elderly Patient with Alopecia Areata: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

40 citations , September 2019 in “World journal of clinical cases”

An elderly man's hair grew back after a treatment that transferred healthy gut bacteria.

Phospholipid-Polymer Hybrid Nanoparticle-Mediated Transfollicular Delivery of Quercetin: Prospective Implementation for the Treatment of Androgenic Alopecia

research Phospholipid-Polymer Hybrid Nanoparticle-Mediated Transfollicular Delivery of Quercetin: Prospective Implementation for the Treatment of Androgenic Alopecia

18 citations , August 2019 in “Drug Development and Industrial Pharmacy”

Quercetin-loaded nanoparticles can penetrate skin, minimize hair loss, and promote hair regrowth, showing slightly better results than a marketed product.