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Melatonin increases anagen hair rate in women with androgenetic alopecia or diffuse alopecia: results of a pilot randomized controlled trial.
Fischer TW, Burmeister G, Schmidt HW, Elsner P.
Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Friedrich-Schiller-University, Erfurter Strasse 35, D-07740 Jena, Germany. [email protected]
Br J Dermatol. 2005 Oct;153(4):859-60;
BACKGROUND: In addition to the well-known hormonal influences of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone on the hair cycle, melatonin has been reported to have a beneficial effect on hair growth in animals. The effect of melatonin on hair growth in humans has not been investigated so far.
OBJECTIVES: To examine whether topically applied melatonin influences anagen and telogen hair rate in women with androgenetic or diffuse hair loss.
METHODS: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study was conducted in 40 women suffering from diffuse alopecia or androgenetic alopecia. A 0.1% melatonin or a placebo solution was applied on the scalp once daily for 6 months and trichograms were performed to assess anagen and telogen hair rate. To monitor effects of treatment on physiological melatonin levels, blood samples were taken over the whole study period.
RESULTS: Melatonin led to a significantly increased anagen hair rate in occipital hair in women with androgenetic hair loss compared with placebo (n=12; P=0.012). For frontal hair, melatonin gave a significant increase in the group with diffuse alopecia (n=28; P=0.046). The occipital hair samples of patients with diffuse alopecia and the frontal hair counts of those with androgenetic alopecia also showed an increase of anagen hair, but differences were not significant. Plasma melatonin levels increased under treatment with melatonin, but did not exceed the physiological night peak.
CONCLUSIONS: To the authors' knowledge, this pilot study is the first to show that topically applied melatonin might influence hair growth in humans in vivo. The mode of action is not known, but the effect might result from an induction of anagen phase.
Και ένα άλλο σχετικά:
Effects of Melatonin on Hair Loss
Melatonin is a hormone secreted by the pineal gland in the brain which
works in several ways.
First, melatonin is a powerful anti-oxidant. Free radicals can cause
damage to hair follicles. However, anti-oxidants don't induce hair
regrowth or change hair color. What Melatonin does is stimulate these
changes. As we get older, we produce less melatonin as our hair
becomes thinner and turns grey. It is beleived that Melatonin
supplements can reverse these changes.
DHT, or dihydrotestosterone, causes hair follices in men to stop
functioning resulting in hair loss. Melatonin blocks the DHT
receptor, preventing DHT from causing hair loss. Of course, DHT is
also necessary for sexual functioning in both men and women so topical
applications are better than oral. In addition to blocking DHT
activity, melatonin stimulates hair growth and pigment changes.
Melatonin can be applied directly to the scalp in large quantities.
Melatonin is non-toxic in general, but this method of application is
much better since it is targeted.
Possible side effects can include nightmares, morning groginess, mild
depression, and low sex drive. In past studies, researchers have given
people up to 600 to 3,000 times the usual doses - without causing any
toxicity.
Price range varies. You can get about 120 capsules (3mg) for $10.00
The topical can cost upwards from $10 - $35 depending on the size.
Caution:
Should not be used by women who are pregnant or nursing (since no one
knows how excessive exposure to the hormone might affect a foetus or
infant); people with severe allergies or autoimmune diseases
(Melatonin could exacerbate such conditions by stimulating the immune
system); people with immune-system cancers such as lymphoma or
leukaemia (for the same reason), and healthy children (who already
produce it in abundance). Women trying to conceive should also think
twice about taking the hormone, since high doses can act as a
contraceptive.
Fischer TW, Burmeister G, Schmidt HW, Elsner P.
Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Friedrich-Schiller-University, Erfurter Strasse 35, D-07740 Jena, Germany. [email protected]
Br J Dermatol. 2005 Oct;153(4):859-60;
BACKGROUND: In addition to the well-known hormonal influences of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone on the hair cycle, melatonin has been reported to have a beneficial effect on hair growth in animals. The effect of melatonin on hair growth in humans has not been investigated so far.
OBJECTIVES: To examine whether topically applied melatonin influences anagen and telogen hair rate in women with androgenetic or diffuse hair loss.
METHODS: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study was conducted in 40 women suffering from diffuse alopecia or androgenetic alopecia. A 0.1% melatonin or a placebo solution was applied on the scalp once daily for 6 months and trichograms were performed to assess anagen and telogen hair rate. To monitor effects of treatment on physiological melatonin levels, blood samples were taken over the whole study period.
RESULTS: Melatonin led to a significantly increased anagen hair rate in occipital hair in women with androgenetic hair loss compared with placebo (n=12; P=0.012). For frontal hair, melatonin gave a significant increase in the group with diffuse alopecia (n=28; P=0.046). The occipital hair samples of patients with diffuse alopecia and the frontal hair counts of those with androgenetic alopecia also showed an increase of anagen hair, but differences were not significant. Plasma melatonin levels increased under treatment with melatonin, but did not exceed the physiological night peak.
CONCLUSIONS: To the authors' knowledge, this pilot study is the first to show that topically applied melatonin might influence hair growth in humans in vivo. The mode of action is not known, but the effect might result from an induction of anagen phase.
Και ένα άλλο σχετικά:
Effects of Melatonin on Hair Loss
Melatonin is a hormone secreted by the pineal gland in the brain which
works in several ways.
First, melatonin is a powerful anti-oxidant. Free radicals can cause
damage to hair follicles. However, anti-oxidants don't induce hair
regrowth or change hair color. What Melatonin does is stimulate these
changes. As we get older, we produce less melatonin as our hair
becomes thinner and turns grey. It is beleived that Melatonin
supplements can reverse these changes.
DHT, or dihydrotestosterone, causes hair follices in men to stop
functioning resulting in hair loss. Melatonin blocks the DHT
receptor, preventing DHT from causing hair loss. Of course, DHT is
also necessary for sexual functioning in both men and women so topical
applications are better than oral. In addition to blocking DHT
activity, melatonin stimulates hair growth and pigment changes.
Melatonin can be applied directly to the scalp in large quantities.
Melatonin is non-toxic in general, but this method of application is
much better since it is targeted.
Possible side effects can include nightmares, morning groginess, mild
depression, and low sex drive. In past studies, researchers have given
people up to 600 to 3,000 times the usual doses - without causing any
toxicity.
Price range varies. You can get about 120 capsules (3mg) for $10.00
The topical can cost upwards from $10 - $35 depending on the size.
Caution:
Should not be used by women who are pregnant or nursing (since no one
knows how excessive exposure to the hormone might affect a foetus or
infant); people with severe allergies or autoimmune diseases
(Melatonin could exacerbate such conditions by stimulating the immune
system); people with immune-system cancers such as lymphoma or
leukaemia (for the same reason), and healthy children (who already
produce it in abundance). Women trying to conceive should also think
twice about taking the hormone, since high doses can act as a
contraceptive.