The Effect of Drugs on Hair

January 1989 in “ Handbook of experimental pharmacology ”

N. B. Simpson

dexamethasone serum cortisol androgen levels hirsutism squaric acid dibutyl ester DNCB alopecia areata topical tretinoin minoxidil Cyclosporin-A renal allograft cyproterone acetate spironolactone androgen metabolism Rogaine

TLDR Drugs can change hair growth and this is important because it can upset people.

The document reviewed studies on the effects of various drugs on hair growth, hair loss, and hirsutism. Key findings included dexamethasone's ability to alter serum cortisol and androgen levels in hirsute patients, the effectiveness of squaric acid dibutyl ester and DNCB in treating alopecia areata, and the promotion of hair growth with topical tretinoin and minoxidil. Cyclosporin-A was noted for inducing hair growth in renal allograft recipients and patients with alopecia areata. Hormonal treatments like cyproterone acetate and spironolactone were discussed for their impact on hirsutism and androgen metabolism. Overall, the studies highlighted the potential of various pharmacological agents in managing hair-related conditions.

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research Effects of Epidermal Growth Factor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Minoxidil, and Hydrocortisone on Growth Kinetics in Human Hair Bulb Papilla Cells and Root Sheath Fibroblasts Cultured In Vitro

58 citations , January 1987 in “Archives of Dermatological Research”

EGF and FGF boost hair cell growth, hydrocortisone slows it, and minoxidil doesn't affect it.

research Topical Tretinoin for Hair Growth Promotion

73 citations , October 1986 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

Tretinoin may help hair growth and works better when combined with minoxidil.

research Treatment of Hirsutism with a Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Agonist (Nafarelin)

77 citations , October 1986 in “The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism/Journal of clinical endocrinology & metabolism”

Nafarelin may effectively treat excessive hair growth in women by reducing certain hormone levels.

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 Spironolactone in the Treatment of Hirsutism

17 citations , January 1986 in “Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica”

Spironolactone can reduce hair growth and testosterone in hirsutism, but is less effective than combined treatments.

research Contact Dermatitis to Minoxidil

34 citations , September 1985 in “Contact Dermatitis”

Minoxidil can cause skin irritation like eczema and rash in some users.

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 Medroxyprogesterone Acetate Therapy in Hirsutism

7 citations , August 1985 in “British journal of dermatology/British journal of dermatology, Supplement”

Medroxyprogesterone acetate injections are more effective than topical ointment in treating excessive hair growth in women.

research The Effect of Spironolactone on Hirsutism and Female Androgen Metabolism

32 citations , August 1985 in “Clinical endocrinology”

Spironolactone may help reduce hair growth and testosterone levels in some women with hirsutism.

research Cyproterone Acetate as Initial Treatment and Maintenance Therapy for Hirsutism

18 citations , August 1985 in “European journal of endocrinology”

Cyproterone acetate is effective for treating hirsutism, but some patients may feel worse on low-dose maintenance therapy.

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 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 Effects of a Low-Dose Desogestrel-Ethinylestradiol Combination on Hirsutism, Androgens, and Sex Hormone Binding Globulin in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

53 citations , January 1985 in “Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica”

Low-dose oral contraceptives reduced hair growth and testosterone levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

research The Treatment of Hirsutism with a Combination of Desogestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol

64 citations , January 1985 in “Clinical endocrinology”

A combination of desogestrel and ethinyl oestradiol effectively reduces hair growth in hirsute women.

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 Alopecia Areata Treated With Topical Minoxidil

78 citations , April 1984 in “Archives of Dermatology”

Minoxidil can help regrow hair in alopecia areata patients.

research Topical Minoxidil in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

80 citations , October 1983 in “BMJ”

Minoxidil helps hair regrowth in alopecia patients, with 16 having good results and no side effects.

research Sulfation of Minoxidil by Liver Sulfotransferase

66 citations , September 1982 in “Biochemical Pharmacology”

Liver enzyme helps minoxidil work better for blood vessel relaxation.

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 A Novel Use of Spironolactone: Treatment of Hirsutism

124 citations , September 1980 in “The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism/Journal of clinical endocrinology & metabolism”

Spironolactone is effective in treating excessive hair growth in women.

research Treatment of Hirsutism, Acne, and Alopecia with Cyproterone Acetate

39 citations , January 1980 in “Dermatology”

Cyproterone acetate was effective in treating acne, hirsutism, and alopecia with few side effects.

research Effect of Cyproterone Acetate on Hair Growth, Sebaceous Secretion, and Endocrine Parameters in a Hirsute Subject

66 citations , October 1977 in “British journal of dermatology/British journal of dermatology, Supplement”

Cyproterone acetate reduces hair growth and oil production.

7 / 7 results

research Hair Loss (Alopecia or Baldness)

June 2018

Baldness is often hereditary and linked to male hormones, becoming noticeable when half the hair is lost.

research Treatments of Hereditary Hair Loss (Alopecia)

April 2018

Some treatments like minoxidil, finasteride, and surgery can help with hereditary hair loss.

research Hair Disorders Associated With Anticancer Agents

November 2013

Some cancer treatments cause different types of hair loss, but scalp cooling can help prevent it.

research Seasonality of Hair Shedding in Healthy Women Complaining of Hair Loss

37 citations , January 2009 in “Dermatology”

Healthy women tend to lose more hair in July and April, and the least in February.

research Female Patients Complaining About Hair Loss: Documentation of Defective Scalp Hair Dynamics with Contrast-Enhanced Phototrichogram

23 citations , April 2006 in “Skin Research and Technology”

The study concluded that a special imaging technique showed women with hair loss have slower hair growth and a faulty hair replacement cycle.

research Treatment of Hair Loss

370 citations , September 1999 in “The New England Journal of Medicine”

Finasteride and minoxidil are effective for hair loss, but continued research is needed for better treatments.

research Disorders of Hair Growth: Diagnosis and Treatment

26 citations , January 1994 in “McGraw-Hill eBooks”

Many hair loss conditions can be treated.