It's true that using retinol on your hair and scalp can potentially result in some unwanted side effects. Ironically, the most serious side effect of retinol that was reported on several years ago was actually hair loss.
Recent research has shown that retinoids can work to reduce hair loss, helping to decongest hair follicles, as well improving the absorption of other ingredients aimed at boosting hair growth.
Nicotinamide, a water-soluble amide form of niacin, also has anti-inflammatory effects that may help to prevent skin irritation. Since niacin doesn't block DHT, it won't protect your hairline or reduce thinning on the crown of your head.
“While retinoids can be irritating, and if you scratch excessively, can lead to hair loss, we sometimes use retinitis in hair growth formulations to help with absorption and stimulation of hair regrowth and improvement of scalp and hair quality,” explains New York dermatologist Doris Day, MD, highlighting that these ...
Retinyl palmitate also strengthens the scalp by improving cell turnover, boosting collagen production to create the best conditions for hair to grow. At the same time, it can be used on sensitive scalps without irritation (we use a concentration of 0.5%).
Unlike some other medications, most of the side effects of tretinoin are skin reactions. Topical tretinoin usually doesn't cause side effects like hair loss, diarrhea, or weight loss, but it does irritate some people's skin.
Zinc. As just mentioned, Zinc levels in the blood and hair are lower in men experiencing male pattern baldness. Zinc has been proven to act as a 5- alpha reductase inhibitor, blocking the creation of DHT. and it's necessary for the growth of every cell in our body (including hair cells).
Zinc for Hair Loss
It may seem strange, because even though DHT levels are raised, production is limited. Using zinc as a DHT blocker is not effective. Zinc helps to keep hormone levels regulated, which is one of the reasons why it is so effective in preventing and treating hair loss.
Dr. Shainhouse lengthens the list by pointing out how retinol can cause “scalp redness, irritation, itch, burning, stinging, peeling, sensitivity.” She notes it can even lead to scalp sunburns and may dry “out hair strands or fade the hair color.”
Azelaic acid has some of the best-established properties as a DHT blocker. Several studies have shown that it can be effective at helping to stimulate hair growth.
“Topical retinoids, those used for anti-aging, may cause eyebrow hair loss,” Bossavy warns. That doesn't mean you need to give up your precious retinol products — just keep them off your arches. “Don't apply your retinoid to your eyebrow or the area immediately above, where it may migrate,” the pro suggests.
Hair loss, which can include a reduction in hair count and hair density, is an undesirable side effect of isotretinoin treatment. A 2013 study showed that this hair loss was temporary, although hair thinning may continue after treatment has stopped.
Lowering systemic DHT is therefore almost certain to dramatically reduce its levels in the scalp. The most straightforward way of achieving this is through an oral 5-alpha-reductase (5αr) inhibitor. As the name suggests, these medications inhibit the 5αr enzyme which converts testosterone to DHT.
Women with too much dihydrotestosterone may develop increased body, facial and pubic hair growth (called hirsutism), stopping of menstrual periods (amenorrhoea) and increased acne. Abnormal changes to the genitalia may also occur in women with too much dihydrotestosterone.
Minoxidil, Finasteride and Dutasteride (5 Alpha Reductase Inhibitors) 5AR Inhibitors can stop the body from producing DHT from testosterone. Medical professionals recommend Dutasteride, Topical Minoxidil, and Finasteride to treat hair loss or male baldness. These medications can suppress the DHT levels.
When bonded with DHT, the papilla cells can't provide nutrition to the hair follicles, slowing down hair production and regrowth. Sufficient Vitamin C reduces the formation of DHT, which brings on great improvement in hair growth.
Fish Oil May Be Linked with DHT
While researches are still in the early phases, a daily intake of fish oil may help reduce the hair loss through the regulation of the hormone dihydrotestosterone.
Tretinoin is known to alter cell proliferation and differentiation and may promote vascular proliferation, and these actions may be important to hair growth and so affect hair follicle during the various growth and regression phases.
Azelaic acid stimulates catalase activation and promotes hair growth through upregulation of Gli1 and Gli2 mRNA and Shh protein. Avicenna J Phytomed. Sep-Oct 2020;10(5):460-471.
Bazzano et al. studied tretinoin therapy for androgenetic alopecia. They reported an increase in terminal hair after using topical Tretinoin in 7 out of 12 individuals[18].
While any cursory internet search for tretinoin hair loss or retin a hair loss will turn up anecdotal reports of retin a and hair loss or an allergic reaction occasionally, there is limited scientific research that directly links topical tretinoin to the loss of hair as a common side effect.
Consuming too much vitamin A over a long period of time can cause coarse hair, partial loss of hair (including the eyebrows), cracked lips, and dry, rough skin. Chronic consumption of large doses of vitamin A can cause liver damage. It can also cause birth defects in a fetus.