28 Mar Melatonin For Hair Loss
As I watched a commercial for a hair transplant clinic, one of the men said “80% of men’s emotional health is dependent upon having a full head of hair. “It is also often quoted from the Bible that a woman’s “crowning glory” is her hair. It is very apparent that society places a lot of importance on hair. For men, it’s as if the ability to grow hair is intimately tied to his abilities, success and manliness.
Women and men alike often express frustration with their attempts to slow down the effects of aging on their hair, particularly with regards to hair loss. A recent review article on hair loss examined the results of 5 studies conducted between January 2003 and October 2006. The studies used a topical hair solution formulated in Switzerland that contained 0.0033% melatonin. This product also included ginkgo biloba and biotin, which provide hair roots with beneficial nutritional support.
These 5 studies yielded positive results for both men and women with early androgenetic alopecia or general hair loss. The melatonin solution was found to be safe and effective, decreasing hair loss while fostering new hair growth, in a significant number of study participants.
An earlier pilot study also found a 0.1% melatonin-alcohol solution to be effective. The theory is that, because hair follicles have melatonin receptors, melatonin may counteract androgenic hormone induced hair loss.
References
“Topical melatonin for treatment of androgenetic alopecia” by TW Fischer, RM Trueb, et al; International Journal of Trichology; 2012 Oct-Dec; 4(4): 236-245.
“Melatonin increases anagen hair rate in women with androgenetic alopecia or diffuse alopecia: results of a pilot randomized controlled trial” by TW Fischer, G Burmeister, et al; Br J Dermatol; 2004 Feb; 150(2): 341-345.