Arthritis Drug No “Miracle Cure” for Hair Loss
In June 2014, researchers at Yale University reported startling findings: By using tofacitinib citrate (commonly sold as Xeljanz and Jakvinus), a drug used to treat rheumatoid athritis, the Yale research time was able to regrow scalp hair and body hair in a patient with alopecia universalis.
These panels show the patient’s head a) before treatment with tofacitinib, b) two months into treatment, c) five months into treatment, and d) eight months into treatment. Photo courtesy Yale University
This might make men experiencing hair loss ranging from a receding hairline to completely bald pause for hope…
Different Types of Hair Loss, Different Treatment Needs
Androgenic alopecia—male pattern baldness—and alopecia universalis are two very different conditions with one superficially similar symptom: Hair loss. The differences lie in the both the mechanism of hair loss, the extent of it, and how these conditions are treated.
Tofacitinib appears to spur hair regrowth in a patient with alopecia universalis by turning off the immune system attack on hair follicles that is prompted by the disease, the Yale team reported.
“Hair transplant surgery is still the only permanent solution to restore your naturally-growing hair”
There are currently no drugs on the market that can completely halt or reverse male pattern baldness. Finasteride and Minoxidil, commonly sold as Propecia and Rogaine respectively, can help slow and manage hair loss, but hair transplant surgery is still the only permanent solution to restore your naturally-growing hair.
With male pattern baldness, genetics and hormones are the key factors in hair loss. Dihydrotestosterone, or DHT, is the primary driving mechanism in male pattern baldness. DHT is a potent form of testosterone. The hair follicles on the top of the scalp and at the crown are sensitive to DHT in men with male pattern baldness.
Theories as to the reasons for male pattern baldness, and why those hairs in particular are sensitive, abound. One theory suggests that male pattern baldness might have evolved as a defense against prostate cancer. High levels of DHT can enlarge the prostate and lead to prostate cancer.
The theory suggests that scalp hair began to fall out in the presence of DHT to expose more skin to direct sunlight. More sunlight means the body synthesizes more Vitamin D. People with low levels of Vitamin D are more likely than people with normal levels of Vitamin D to test positive for prostate cancer. Male pattern baldness, according to this theory, is the body’s way of defending itself.
The Norwood Scale illustrates the stages of androgenic alopecia, or male pattern baldness. It’s what most people think of when they think “bald”.
Alopecia universalis is a different story. Alopecia universalis is the most extreme form of alopecia areata (loss of hair in a single area of the body). Alopecia totalis, the loss of all hair on the head, is another form of alopecia areata.
All forms of alopecia areata, including alopecia universalis, are believed to be autoimmune disorders. In the case of alopecia universalis, the body’s immune system attacks hair follicles the way it would attack a virus or an infection, causing the hair to fall out.
A Rare Treatment for a Rare Disease
Alopecia areata affects only about 0.1% of the population, or 1 in 1000. Alopecia universalis, its most extreme form, affects far fewer.
Male pattern baldness, on the other hand, affects many men, if not the majority of men. A 1998 study suggested that as many as 42% of all men, or nearly 1 out of 2, will have Norwood Stage 3 male pattern baldness or greater. That doesn’t include Norwood Stage 2 and 2A.
“42% of all men will have Norwood Stage 3 male pattern baldness or greater.”
At Rahal, we see a lot of men struggling with male pattern baldness. Some of our patients are women, for whom thinning hair can prove far more devastating, as well as patients who struggle with hair loss in certain areas of their body. We know how difficult a person’s body image can be when dealing with that. We can only imagine how hard it must be to lose all hair on your body, not just the hair “up top”.
We’re absolutely thrilled with the results of the Yale researchers, who have given their patient the hope and new lease on life that we see in our hair transplant patients every day. We hope that their research continues to benefit others with this rare autoimmune disorder.
Meanwhile, at Rahal we remain committed to helping men and women achieve a permanent hair loss solution.
Dr. Rahal is one of today’s leading hair transplant surgeons. He’s recommended by the American Hair Loss Association and recognized worldwide for producing his Rahal Hairline™.