Hair growth stimulatory effect by a combination of 5-aminolevulinic acid and iron ion

In 2008, a study found that a combination of 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) and iron ion significantly stimulated hair growth in both male mice and 20 male patients with androgenic alopecia. The mice showed significant hair growth by day 15, comparable to the effects of 5% minoxidil, while the male patients experienced accelerated hair growth after applying the mixture to their scalp for 1 month. Despite these positive outcomes, no increase in keratinocyte or fibroblast proliferation was observed in vitro, indicating that the hair growth mechanism did not involve direct cell proliferation. The exact mechanism remains unknown, but the results suggest potential for the 5-ALA and iron ion combination as a new alopecia treatment, warranting further research.