Clin Interv Aging. 2006 June; 1(2): 121¨C129.

Pharmacologic interventions in aging hair
Ralph Trieb

Edited exerpt

Photoprotection of hair and scalp

…. Topically applied UV protectors may offer the best way to protect skin against sunburn and the chronic pathologic effects of UVR. Their use on the hair-bearing scalp is problematic, unless complete baldness is present. Although hats provide the best protection of the scalp from UVR, not all patients find them convenient or acceptable for this purpose. While protection of the hair against photodamage has been extensively studied, there are no data on photoprotection of the hair-bearing scalp. It has been found that hair dyes may protect hair against photodamage; recent experimental work indicate that cinnamidpropyltrimonium chloride, a quaternized UV absorber, delivered from a shampoo system, is suitable for photoprotection of hair, while simultaneously providing an additional conditional benefit on hair; and solid lipid nanoparticles have been developed as novel carriers of UV blockers for the use on skin and hair, while offering photoprotection on their own by reflecting and scattering UVR. Finally, systemic photoprotection has been the focus of more recent investigation, in as much as this would overcome some of the problems associated with the topical use of sunscreens: Preclinical studies illustrate photoprotective properties of supplemented antioxidants, particularly beta-carotene (pro-vitamin A), ¦Á-tocopherol, and L-ascorbate (vitamin C). snip…Recent advances in the care of aging hair and scalp are anti-aging compounds. Due to water dilution and short contact time, anti-aging compounds do not have any effect in shampoos….snip..

…..In the course of hormonal anti-aging protocols containing recombinant human growth hormone at the Palm Springs Life Extension Institute, Chein (1998) reports improvement of hair thickness and structure in 38% of patients, in some cases darkening of hair, and in few increased hair regrowth. It is noteworthy that in primary growth hormone insensitivity, hair growth, and hair structure (but not hair color) have been shown to be impaired.

Dr Proctor’s note: We discovered and patented the hair-regrowth stimulating effects of antioxidants decades ago.

J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2009

Latanoprost in the treatment of eyelash hair loss in alopecia areata universalis.

Modified and edited for hair loss treatment blog

Coronel-Pérez IM, et al

Abstract Objectives The aim of this study was to test the efficacy of latanoprost in eyelash alopecia areata (AA). Design This study is a 2-year prospective, non-blinded, non-randomized, bilateral eyelash alopecia controlled study. Setting The setting of this study was Trichology Unit, Virgen Macarena University Hospital, Seville, Spain. Patients We conducted a survey of 54 subjects with AA universalis treated with the protocol of the Trichology Unit of our Department.
Control group comprised 10 subjects who received injections of 0.5 mg/cm(2) of triamcinolone acetonide (TAC) in their eyebrows and 1 mg/cm(2) of TAC injections in affected scalp. The treatment group included 44 subjects who received the same treatment as the control group in scalp and eyebrows but they also applied a drop of latanoprost 0.005% (50 mug/mL) ophthalmic solution in their eyelid margins every night. Subjects were reviewed every 3 months for 2 years. Results Forty subjects finished the study and four subjects were lost to follow-up. In the treatment arm of this study, the course was well tolerated and uncomplicated. Both investigators and patients evaluated the regrowth. The results we obtained were: complete hair regrowth in 17.5%, moderate regrowth in 27.5%, slight regrowth in 30% and without response in 25%. Moderate and total hair regrowth constituted a cosmetically acceptable response. The treatment was continuous and the response remained without any side effects. No patients had cosmetically acceptable eyelash regrowth in the control group. Conclusions Latanoprost may be an effective drug in the treatment of eyelash AA because it induces acceptable responses (total and moderate) in 45% of the patients. A formal, blinded prospective unilateral controlled study will permit further understanding about this promising therapeutic agent for eyelash AA.

Modified and edited for hair loss treatment blog