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Retinoic
acid is used by some dermatologists to treat pattern baldness. Yet
retinoic acid actually slows down skin cell proliferation? How can
retinoic acid be used to treat hair loss
Retinoic acid and other retinoids such as retin A and azelaic acid
are derivatives of vitamin A. We all need a certain amount of vitamin
A, but too much of it, or a topical application of a vitamin A derivative
drug, can cause a slow down in the growth of skin cells. This can
be beneficial as when retin A type drugs are used to treat acne
or oral retinoids are used to treat psoriasis. However, One side
effect of their use is hair loss. Indeed, oral retinoids are well
known for causing hair loss.
How then can they be used to treat pattern baldness? They are used
by some dermatologists to reduce the activity of sebaceous glands.
The oils produced by sebaceous glands are rich in testosterone and
dihydrotestosterone. The sebaceous gland is an area of cells with
highly active 5 alpha reductase. There is no direct proof, but some
dermatologists think reducing oil production and the general activity
of sebaceous gland cells may help in reducing dihydrotestosterone
levels around hair follicles. This in turn may help encourage hair
growth in androgenetic alopecia. In addition, there is an indication
that retinoic acid in combination with minoxidil improves the effectiveness
of the minoxidil
It is a fine balancing act between using too much and too little
retinoic acid in treating pattern baldness. Too much may cause an
effluvium type of hair loss. Too little will not have a beneficial
effect in reducing sebaceous gland activity. In addition we are
each unique and what may be an appropriate dose of retinoic acid
for one person may not be appropriate for another person. Careful
use and monitoring of effects is required when using retin A as
a treatment for pattern baldness.
Retinoic
acid is used by some dermatologists to treat pattern baldness. Yet
retinoic acid actually slows down skin cell proliferation? How can
retinoic acid be used to treat hair loss references
- Walsh DS, Dunn CL, James WD. Improvement
in androgenetic alopecia (stage V) using topical minoxidil in
a retinoid vehicle and oral finasteride. Arch Dermatol. 1995 Dec;131(12):1373-5.
- London-Wong DM, Hart LL. Minoxidil with
tretinoin in baldness. DICP. 1990 Jan;24(1):43-4.
- Bergfeld WF. Retinoids
and hair growth. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1998 Aug;39(2 Pt 3):S86-9.
- Bazzano
GS, Terezakis N, Galen W. Topical tretinoin for hair growth promotion.
J Am Acad Dermatol. 1986 Oct;15(4 Pt 2):880-3, 890-3.
- Mahrle
G, Orfanos CE, Ippen H, Hofbauer M. [Hair growth, liver function
and light sensitivity during oral retinoid therapy for psoriasis].
Dtsch Med Wochenschr. 1979 Mar 30;104(13):473-7.
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