Corticosteroids are used for the the treatment for alopecia areata. In mild cases of alopecia areata, a corticosteroid cream is applied only to the regions of hairloss. An alternative treatment is the intralesional injection of corticosteroids into the inflamed patches of scalp. A corticosteroid such as triamcinolone or kenelog is injected, approximately once per month, below the skin near the hair follicle. This treatment is often used for eyebrow hair loss.

Systemic corticosteroids are often prescribed if the hairloss is widespread. The drugs are administered by injection into the muscle of the buttock or arm once every four to six weeks. Sometimes this treatment brings a spontaneous recovery and the treatment is stopped as the hair returns. Oral cortisone is sometimes given by tablets but has all the side effects of injections.

Corticosteroids, with short term use, cause weight gain, mood changes and acne. Long term treatment with corticosteroids causes thinning of the skin and scalp damage, immune system suppression, increased cancer, bone degeneration, and cataracts. Folligen (see above) may be tried as an alternative to steroid use. Folligen is very safe and has anti-inflammatory actions as well a scalp repair properties.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents - Cyclosporin

Cyclosporin is an immunosuppressive drug used in organ transplants to to prevent the body from rejecting the new organ. It is used topically in the treatment of immune-associated severe skin conditions. In humans, cyclosporin is very effective orally (80% positive hair growth response) but only marginally effective (20%) when used topically for aiding hair growth. It promotes hair growth in animal models and promotes human hair growth in vitro.

Like corticosteroids, it has toxic side effects such as renal toxicity when used long term and a generally poor choice for as a hair treatment.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents - Tacrolimus (Fujimycin) / FK506

FK506 is an new immunosuppressant, like cyclosporin, used to prevent organ rejection. It is in a class of drugs similar to cyclosporin. When applied in a topical ointment, it is more effective in stimulating hair growth than cyclosporin. It is a strong immunosuppressant and its safety in long term use for hair growth is questionable. It may produce neural damage.

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Other Commonly Used Remedies

The following materials are widely used in hair products. They may stimulate hair growth in humans but controlled studies are lacking.

Remedies	More Information
Arginine	Arginine is an essential amino acid available in groceries and health stores. It is necessary for proper human health. More interestingly, it is the metabolic precursor of nitric acid or NO, which is biochemical messenger that is a potent vasodilator and which may stimulate hair growth by opening potassium transport channels into cells. Arginine, usually in combination with another amino acid called ornithine, increases the release of human growth hormone (HGH). Increased HGH has been observed to increase hair growth along with other aging reversal effects.
BioFolic H	BioFolic H is a natural vitamin and mineral treatment developed over 25 years ago. It is sold for use "by persons all over the United States who have experienced or are currently experiencing thinning hair, hairloss, balding or weak, splitting fingernails". It is claimed to produce thicker and healthier hair.
Crinagen	Crinagen is a topical lotion, formulated by Dr. Nassar Razack (on the right) of Raztec Enterprises of New York and which contains DHT blockers saw palmetto extract and zinc. It is sold for use in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia.
Cysteine	Cysteine is an essential, sulfer-containing, amino acid available in groceries and health stores. Hair (and feathers which are thought to have arisen in an evolutionary sequence from hair) has very high levels of cysteine and an insufficient dietary intake could slow hair growth. It is known that significant modifications may be induced in wool growth patterns on sheep by the enrichment of the diet of sheep with cysteine or sulfur amino acids. In rats, the addition of a supplement of gelatin (from collagen digests such as Knox gelatin or Jello) and cysteine, caused an increase in the cysteine content of hair and produced thicker hair shafts. The content of the sulfer-rich hair proteins increased up over 50% and the content of cysteine in hair increased by 35%.1 However, an excessive intake of cysteine can cause toxicities.

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Remedies	More Information
Cytadren / Aminoglutethimide	Cytadren or aminoglutethimide is an adrenal cortex hormone suppressant, an antiestrogen, an aromatase inhibitor, and a anticortisol drug which is used to treat hyperactive adrenal cortexes. The adrenals produce female estrogens and estradiols, cortisol in response to stress, increases testosterone and precursor hormones such as DHEA. The drug is used by weight lifters to suppress female hormones and help build muscle. Some persons report moderate to dense regrowth with the drug. Cytadren educes DHEA levels which may play a significant role in female hair loss and may explain its hair promoting properties in women. The drug is taken a doses up to 500 mgs per day and is FDA approved for non-hair uses. Since it is a very powerful drug, it should only be used under the close supervision of a physician. Side effects include depression, dark skin, drowsiness, dizziness, headache, deepening of voice in females, lack of energy, muscle pain, neck tenderness, vomiting, irregular menstruation, and vomiting. It costs around $60 per month at standard dosage.
Dilantin / Phenytoin	Dilantin or phenytoin is an anticonvulsant long used for the treatment of epileptic seizures. It is considered one of the "smart drugs" said to increase human intelligence. It has wound healing properties but also causes side effects such as excessive gum growth around the teeth in users and more hair growth. It is well tested and reasonably safe.
Dithranol	Dithranol is a tar-like ointment used for the treatment of psoriasis. It is applied to the scalp and it reduces cell division. Its irritant action may cause some hair growth. Because of the carcinogenic properties of all coal tars, we do not recommend such treatments.
Electrotrichogenesis	Electrotrichogenesis is the electrical stimulation of hair follicles and was developed by a company called Current Technologies. It is available in salons in Canada and Mexico. In the USA, the FDA has asked for long-term safety data - especially on potential effects on the brain and has effectively stopped its development. It is possible that it may work in a manner that electrical fields have been proven effective in stimulating bone regeneration in humans.
Fabao 101	Fabao 101 is a herbal mixture from China. Its is claimed to be the "World's World's Leading Treatment for Hair Loss" and was developed by the dermatologist, Dr. Zhang-guang Zhao. It is claimed to be "the only safe and effective treatment proven to regrow normal hair and rapidly improve existing hair in 90% of patients". The potion is formulated with extract of plants such as sophera flavescens, radix astragali, capsicum, seu radix notopterygii, safflower oil, cortex dictamni radicis, rhizhoma gastroidia ginseng, notoginseng, heshouwu and peach kernel oil. The marketers claim that the product stimulates hair growth in rats, guinea pigs and rabbits.2 It costs $30 to $60 per month.

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Remedies	More Information
Gamma Linolenic Acid and Emu Oil	Certain unsaturated fatty such as gamma linolenic acid significant inhibit 5-alpha reductase and DHT production in biochemical test-tube assays. Many products used for treatment of prostate hyperplasia included gamma linolenic acid in their formula. It has been speculated that such fats may be useful in the treatment of disorders related to DHT such as benign prostrate hyperplasia, acne, androgenetic alopecia and female hirsuitism. Emu Oil has a high level of linolenic acid. Hair restoration products which contain emu oil have been patented. The application of emu oil to the skin causes an increased the synthesis of DNA in the epidermis and may increase the proliferative activity of the skin. Animals fed emu oil have an increased pigmentation and hair growth. The skin of the animals increases in thickness and the size of the hair follicle increases.
Green Tea	Green Tea is widely used as a herbal health promoting drink and many studies have associated green tea with decreased cancer rates and less degenerative disease. Green tea contains powerful antioxidants called polyphenols and caretenoids which are natural antioxidant which scavenge free radicals. There is evidence that green tea has been some anti-androgenic effect similar to saw palmetto. There are also shampoos available that contain green tea extract that are said to have beneficial effects on hair and skin.
Luftek	Luftek claims to obtain full hair regrowth in men and women by teaching you special techniques to regrow hair. It costs $149.95
Nizoral / Ketoconazole	Nizoral is an antiandrogen, antimycotic, and antifungal prescription drug in the USA but an over-the-counter drug in most other countries. It is a shampoo designed for the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis. The active ingredient, ketoconazole, has antiandrogenic effects. Many report it is a very good shampoo, but can be mildly irritating. A month's supply cost between $12 to $30.
Nano Shampoo and Proxiphen	NANO shampoo contains pyrmidine N-Oxides and was invented by Peter Proctor (M.D. with Ph.D in Pharmacology), a physician-scientist with an early interest in human aging, and who also the resident guru of the hair loss chat group at alt.baldspot and is pictured below. NANO is claimed to stop hair fallout and stimulate hair growth. Proctor also has developed a NANO conditioner. It is claimed to be as effective as minoxidil. Some users report mild irritation at first. It costs $39.95 for a three month supply. Proxiphen was also developed by Dr. Proctor and contains a variety of ingredients including minoxidil, retinoic acid, phenytoin, spironolactone, prezatide copper (similar to Iamin), lys-lys-his (a copper-binding peptide), NANO, arginine, allantoin, butylated hydroxytoluene and ascorbyl palmitate. Some people have reported loss of hairs gained with minoxidil when using Proxiphen which has a lower concentration of commercial minoxidil. Others have reported that it irritates the scalp. Dr. Proctor says that Proxiphen stops hair loss, thickens hair, and enlarges miniaturized hairs, and produces regrowth at the front of the hair line. The product, in various formulations, costs about $59.95 for 2 months and $109.95 for 4 months. Dr. Proctor is a real scientist (in contrast to the sales organizations that promote various petro-chemical combinations as hair growth systems) and should be taken seriously.

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Remedies	More Information
Nioxin	Nioxin is heavily advertised as a "natural" treatment that feeds 100,000 hairs on your head. It is sold by mail order and in many salons. It is claimed to produce nearly normal hair growth. It costs between $30 and $125 per month.
Nisim	Nisim sells a herbal product designed to increase hair growth and another product to decrease hair growth. Nisim has an independent study that claiming Nisim stops hair loss and stimulates hair regrowth in men and women. The Nisim New Hair Biofactors Stimulating Extract and the Nisim New Hair Biofactors Shampoo contain mixtures of nutrients and vitamins such as such as the sulfur containing amino acids which are very high in hair, inositol, the B group vitamins, panthanthenol, and biotin plus a a herbal extract. It costs $50 to 60/month.
Polysorbate 20, Polysorbate 60 and Polysorbate 80	These polysorbates are commonly sold in three versions polysorbate 20, 60 and 80. They are cleansers that are found in many commercial hair products. Polysorbates are chemical emulsifying agents that are used to dissolve fat in water. Polysorbates were the main original ingredients in the Helsinki Formula. The polysorbates irritate the skin and break down mast cells which release of histamine. Histamine release will cause itching but also many stimulate some hair growth. However, a study concluded that polysorbate 60 is ineffective in treating hair loss.3 Because of polysorbate's functions as an emulsifier, many companies say they use polysorbates to "unclog" hair follicles from fatty substances such as cholesterol, DHT, and other secretions they feel detrimental to hair growth. However, there is no scientific support for the "clogged-pore" theory of hair loss. Polysorbate - like propylene glycol or DMSO - can be used to increase the penetration of substances into the sebum around the hair follicle. Folligen Solution Therapy Spray uses small amounts of polysorbate 20 and propylene glycol to enhance the uptake of copper-peptide around the hair follicle and Crinagen uses polysorbate 80 to increase the uptake of zinc and saw palmetto oil around the follicle.
Thymuskin	Thymuskin is reportedly an antiandrogen extract from calf thymus which is claimed to reverse male pattern hair loss and alopecia areata. It costs $39 to $108 per month.
Viviscal	Viviscal is a with marine extracts and a silica compound taken as a food supplement that was developed by university researchers in Helsinki, Finland. It is claimed to stop hair loss.A study compared six months of treatment with Viviscal or fish oil and claimed a 36% increase in hair growth over the fish oil group (a true placebo control would have used the inert components of Viviscal).4 It costs between $38-78 per month.

Further Remedies

Remedies	More Information
Vitamin B6 and Zinc	The combination of zinc and vitamin B6 inhibits the conversion of testosterone to DHT in the skin. As B6 levels increase in cells, they are reported to become less responsive to the hormones that can cause androgenetic alopecia and other disorders related to DHT. One problem with high dosages of zinc is that it competes with copper for receptor sites. Too much zinc can drive out copper from the scalp. Without adequate copper, angiogenesis (new blood vessel formation) will not occur and ultimately this will produce scalp damage.
Xandrox	Xandrox is a product from Dr. Robert Lee who sells various mixtures of products for hair growth at www.minoxidil.com. Xandrox is consists of 5% to 12% Minoxidil and Azelaic Acid. Avoid the version of the product with Betamethasone Valerate. The latter is a corticosteroid included to counteract the effect of the Azelaic Acid which often causes skin irritation. Azelaic Acid, which is similar to retinoic acid, is normally used to treat acne and does have hair promoting properties in combination with minoxidil. Success rates on hair growth up to 70% are claimed. The versions without corticosteroids are basically OK. The problem with the corticosteroid version is what happens with long term use? The long term use of corticosteroids on skin inflammations is usually causes a thinning of the scalp and this may hurt hair growth. If you want to use these types of azeliac/ retinoic acid/minoxidil combinations, copper-peptides may help to control the scalp irritation.
Revivogen™ Scalp Therapy	Revivogen is promoted as a "clinically proven" product but there are no published studies on the product itself. The main problem with is product is the use of zinc. Zinc may promote hair growth when it acts as a skin irritant but skin irritation has long term negative consequences. Zinc can also drive out copper and this may damage your hair and speed aging in your body.
Folligen for Transplanted Hair	Folligen products are often used to enhance scalp and new hair health and hair growth after transplant procedures. Such hair often recovers slowly from shock of transplantation. Copper-peptide products can enhance the health of transplants and lead to an increased number of viable hair shafts. - See: SRCPs and Hair Regrowth Agents

Hair Regrowth and Retention

Anti-androgens and DHT Blockers