Determining the cause of hair loss is vital for initiating regrowth. Many hair loss conditions (alopecia) will resolve which makes it hard to distinguish between a product truly working and the alopecia resolving on its own.
Topical caffeine has been shown to help with androgenetic alopecia. Androgenetic alopecia is described as hair follicles that are sensitive to androgen hormones resulting in patterned hair loss. For females, this hair loss starts in the center of the head, and in men, the hair loss starts with recession. Topical caffeine may work to reduce inflammation and inhibit phosphodiesterase which will improve the metabolism of the cells in the follicle. It is important to be aware of “overtreatment”. Finding the correct dose and percentage can be challenging but it is necessary as the caffeine can penetrate the hair follicle and cause limitations to growth.
Biotin can be taken as oral supplementation but you will not see improvement with hair growth unless you have a deficiency or low levels of biotin. It also does not help with patterned balding. Biotin attaches to the hair shaft and creates an illusion that your hair is thicker, but does not actually create new hair growth.
The information and evidence of topical CBD are just in the beginning stages of research. CBD works by binding CBD1 and CBD2 to reduce inflammation. There are no direct studies linking CBD and hair growth.
Red clover extract can be beneficial for all hair types. It has been shown to promote hair growth, soothe inflammation, and leave the hair shiny. It can work to inhibit 5 alpha-reductase that converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This process is what causes miniaturization in androgenetic alopecia.
Panthenol is also known as vitamin B5 and is commonly found in shampoos and conditioners to help thicken hair. It works by improving the effects of hair elasticity, moisture retention, and flexibility. Panthenol can penetrate your hair shaft as well as the root of your hair, giving you an extra boost of vitamin B. Improving the moisture of the scalp can decrease inflammation that leads to hair loss.
Turmeric is another anti-inflammatory ingredient that can help moisten the scalp. It is a gentle exfoliator that can be both beneficial for the hair and the scalp. Turmeric has been added to some shampoos to help thicken the hair and prevent breakage.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy triggers natural hair growth by increasing blood supply through injections to the hair follicle and increasing the thickness of the hair shaft. This is not a permanent solution as it requires more injections every 6 months. Itching and headaches are typical side effects of this treatment. PRP does not help in scarring hair loss where the hair follicle is scarred over and lost.
We suggest taking a look at your current hair care routine and researching the ingredients. Hair growth can be a long process, and results may be different for each person. Focus on determining the cause of your hair loss or thinning before trying to initiate hair regrowth.
Determining the cause of hair loss is vital for initiating regrowth. Many hair loss conditions (alopecia) will resolve which makes it hard to distinguish between a product truly working and the alopecia resolving on its own.
