After 1 year, the combination of topical tretinoin with 0.5% minoxidil resulted in terminal hair regrowth in 66% of the subjects studied. Tretinoin was shown to stimulate some hair regrowth in approximately 58% of the subjects studied.
They have found an increase in terminal hair in the treatment group[6]. Vestita et al. published a case report demonstrating unexpected improvement of beard density for a patient using Tretinoin 0.05 % cream[7].
Tretinoin is the best studied retinoid in the treatment of photoaging. It is used by some as a hair loss treatment and also a component of many commercial products that are advertised as being able to slow skin aging or remove wrinkles.
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.
Gaboardi notes that retinol can work by increasing blood flow to hair follicles in the scalp, in turn encouraging hair growth.
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.
“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 ...
Tretinoin for Hair Loss — The Science
In this study from the Journal of Investigative Dermatology on the effects of oral retin a — oral tretinoin — on human scalp hair follicles, research showed that exposure to retinoic acid induced premature hair follicle regression.
Some bad news: the side effects of using retinol on your face go for your scalp, too. "You can experience sensitivity, redness, and irritation, which can make the situation worse resulting in hair loss or thinning," Dr. Green explains. "The same holds true with regards to sensitivity.
Tretinoin Does Not “Bleach” Your Skin
Contrary to popular belief, tretinoin is not a “bleaching agent” or medicine designed specifically to lighten your skin tone. While tretinoin can even out patches of hyperpigmentation and cause a mild change in your skin tone, it doesn't affect melanin synthesis.
Tips: If the skin isn't experiencing side effects from the topical, a facial epilator or a coil hair remover like R.E.M. Spring both remove many hairs at once making much quicker than regular tweezers. Threading: This is my favorite way to remove hair from the face.
The only advanced technique for hair removal that can permanently remove facial hair is electrolysis. Electrolysis involves using an electric current to permanently destroy the hair follicle. If you have excessive facial hair growth, you must consult your doctor.
But as with anything else, retinoids sometimes come with side-effects, most notably peeling or dryness around the area where the cream is applied. But some people are now reporting that they've experienced hair loss while using retinoid creams and it's definitely something worth noting.
Tretinoin is an anti-cancer ("antineoplastic" or "cytotoxic") chemotherapy drug. Tretinoin is classified as a "retinoid." (For more detail, see "How Tretinoin Works" section below).
Tretinoin enhances minoxidil response in androgenetic alopecia patients by upregulating follicular sulfotransferase enzymes. Dermatol Ther. 2019 May;32(3):e12915.
Commonly reported side effects of tretinoin include: pleural effusion, dyspnea, edema, fever, hypotension, leukocytosis, weight gain, headache, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, increased liver enzymes, nausea, visual disturbance, and vomiting.
If the reason for thinning hair is genetics, it will not grow back on its own. To grow back a healthy, full head of hair, you'll need to take action, and that involves reviewing different hair loss options.
It could potentially reduce DHT production.
As mentioned above, retinol reduces excess surface oil on the scalp and also on the follicles. In doing so, Dr. Shainhouse shares retinol “may help to reduce DHT production. DHT is associated with genetic-type male/female-patterned hair loss.”
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%).
You may notice tretinoin starting to work within 2 to 3 weeks, but it can take 6 weeks or more to experience the full benefit. If you don't see improvement within 12 weeks, or if you have significant improvement and wonder if you should start using it less frequently, talk to your doctor.
Magnesium, Zinc, and Copper: Magnesium, zinc, and copper can also help in the prevention of facial hair by decreasing the effect of testosterone. Magnesium can be taken in through foods like soybeans, whole grains, seeds, nuts etc. Zinc is found in pumpkin seeds, peanuts, dark chocolate etc.
There are various ways: threading shaving waxing Nair electrolysis and of course lasers. Here's what I tell patients about lasers. As you may have heard, the best results for laser hair removal are achieved on dark hairs against a fair skin background. However, other factors influence the treatment process.
1. Plucking or tweezing: Using a pair of tweezers to get rid of unwanted facial hair is a quick, easy and effective technique. It removes the hair from its root, delaying the process of regrowth and promoting long-lasting results. It is safe for sensitive skin, as it does not disturb the texture of the skin.