When we think of melatonin, its sleep properties are usually what come to mind. What you may not have been aware about is melotonin’s benefits for hair growth.
Melatonin is a hormone that is produced naturally in the body. It’s a hormone produced in your brain’s pineal gland that helps regulate your circadian cycles. Essentially, as you get closer to the end of your day, more melatonin is produced by your body to assist you in sleeping.
Then it gradually lessens in the morning to assist you in getting out of bed. Simply put, melatonin’s actions assist your body’s sleep-wake cycles to be more consistent. Melatonin levels naturally decline as you become older.
While it can be taken orally to help with sleep, it’s most commonly used in a topical solution.
Oral melatonin supplementation has been increasingly popular in recent years. They’re often made of synthetic melatonin and are said to assist with:
- Falling asleep more easily
- Jet lag
- Seasonal affective disorder
- Migraines
- Anxiety before surgery
- Sleep disturbances caused by certain blood pressure medications
How Does Melatonin Play A Role In Hair Growth?
The effects of melatonin on hair development were examined in depth in a review of data published in the International Journal of Trichology.
The good news is that it appears to be effective in treating androgenetic alopecia. In this study, researchers discovered that using melatonin for 30 or 90 days reduced the severity of androgenetic alopecia significantly.
While studies suggest that melatonin may help with androgenetic alopecia, the mechanism through which it operates is unknown.
Topical melatonin, which is used to treat hair loss, usually comes in a cream or serum-like consistency that must be applied daily.
More Hair Growth Treatments
Finasteride
Finasteride was originally used to treat men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), but a side factor of the medication included combating male pattern hair loss, also called androgenetic alopecia. It may be used alone or in combination with other medicines such as an alpha-blocker to treat BPH. For men with hair loss, finasteride will increase the number of scalp hairs but will not increase the amount of body hair.
Minoxidil
Originally created to treat high blood pressure, soon after that it was discovered that Minoxidil had properties that promote hair growth in patients. It is effective in helping promote hair growth in people with androgenic alopecia regardless of sex. About 40% of men experience hair regrowth after 3–6 months. Minoxidil must be used indefinitely for continued support of existing hair follicles and the maintenance of any experienced hair regrowth. The mechanism by which minoxidil promotes hair growth is not fully understood. Minoxidil is a potassium channel opener, causing hyperpolarization of cell membranes. Theoretically, by widening blood vessels and opening potassium channels, it allows more oxygen, blood, and nutrients to the follicles. This may cause follicles in the telogen phase to shed, which are then replaced by thicker hairs in a new anagen phase.
Tretinoin
Tretinoin is a Vitamin A analog and a topical form of retinoic acid. It is sometimes prescribed as a subsidiary treatment to enhance the efficacy of Minoxidil, such as in Rogaine. Some of the retinoids produced much greater changes in the levels of cellular retinoic acid-binding protein. And these compounds also demonstrated a much stronger influence on the hair life cycle. Similar events occur when using Minoxidil. This seems to support the ability of retinoids to have some ability to support new hair growth. Experts believe that certain retinoids are able to regulate and promote the proliferation of cells as well as processes which cause them to differentiate. It may also cause blood vessels to proliferate as well. These dynamics are important for the promotion of hair growth.
DMSO
DMSO is a prescription medicine and dietary supplement. It can be taken by mouth, applied to the skin (used topically), or injected into the veins (used intravenously or by IV). DMSO is taken by mouth, used topically, or given intravenously for the management of amyloidosis and related symptoms. Another commonly associated substance with DMSO is MSM (methylsulfonylmethane). DMSO is used topically (applied to the skin). MSM is sold as a dietary supplement, either alone or in combination with other ingredients such as glucosamine. It has shown to aid in the promotion of hair growth in patients who have used it.
Biotin
While the research on the correlation between biotin and hair growth is still being understood, we do know that it improves your body’s keratin infrastructure. Keratin is a basic protein that makes up your hair, skin, and nails.
The majority of us already get our daily intake of biotin from foods such as egg yolk, nuts, soybeans/legumes, bananas, cauliflower, mushrooms, ect.
Dr. Max’s Topical Hair Boost
Here at our practice, Hair By Dr. Max, Restoration Center, we offer an innovative new topical solution created with clinically proven ingredients to stop and even reverse hair loss. Unlike other topical hair solutions, you’ll be happy to know you only have to apply the product once a day. Each bottle of our topical solution will last you three months if used correctly.
Made with clinically proven ingredients to stop hair loss and promote hair growth. Moreover, what makes us different is that hair restoration IS our specialty. As a hair transplant surgeon, this is what Dr. Max and his team work everyday. We wanted to offer a simple solution to protect your hair from hair loss and increase its density.
Both formulas are prescription-only and do require a formal consultation with Dr. Max. Come in today and learn more about which non-surgical hair loss treatment might be best for you.
If you have any questions regarding a hair transplant, topical hair growth solutions, or any of our other hair restoration services, feel free to call us at 954-945-2909 to schedule your Free Consultation.
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