The Effects of Hair Regrowth with Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG) Therapy: Two Case Reports

The document reports on two cases where intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy, typically used for immune-mediated diseases, was associated with significant hair regrowth in patients with androgenic alopecia (AGA). The first case involved a 43-year-old African American male with AGA who was receiving IVIG for Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP). He experienced significant but temporary hair regrowth during his treatments. The second case was an 80-year-old white male with AGA treated with IVIG for refractory Myasthenia Gravis, who also reported hair regrowth on the scalp and arms after two months of treatment. Both cases showed increased density of scalp hair over a few months. The paper suggests that the anti-inflammatory properties of IVIG may contribute to hair regrowth and proposes further research into immune modulating or anti-inflammatory drugs for AGA treatment. However, due to IVIG's drawbacks, such as serious potential side effects, invasive administration, and high cost, the authors do not recommend IVIG as a standalone treatment for hair loss.