Study: Topical Cannabinoids Promote Hair Growth in Alopecia Patients

According to newly published research the daily administration of topical cannabinoids, including CBD, THCV, and CBDV, is associated with hair regrowth in patients with androgenetic alopecia (AGA).

The study is published in the International Journal of Trichology, with epublication by the US National Library of Medicine.

According to the study’s abstract, it was “conducted on subjects with androgenetic alopecia (AGA), as follow-up to a prior published study using hemp extract high in CBD without CBDV or THCV.”

That study “showed an average 93.5% increase in hair numbers after 6 months of use. This subsequent study is being done to determine if daily topical application of a hemp-oil high in CBD, THCV, and CBDV concentrations would result in improved hair regrowth in the area of the scalp most affected by AGA.”

For the study a case series study was done of 31 (15 men and 16 women, 27 Caucasian, 2 Asian, and 1 mixed race) subjects with AGA. They used a once-daily topical hemp extract formulation, averaging about 33 mg/day for 6 months. A hair count of the greatest area of alopecia was carried out before treatment was started and again after 6 months of treatment.

To facilitate consistent hair count analysis, “a permanent tattoo was placed at the point for maximum hair loss on the scalp. The subjects were also asked to qualitatively rate their psychosocial perception of “scalp coverage” improvement after the study was completed.”

The qualitative scale included “very unhappy,” “unhappy,” “neutral,” “happy,” and “very happy.” The subjects were photographed in a standard manner before and after the study. The photographs were compared for improvements in “scalp coverage” by an independent physician. The qualitative scale included “none,” “mild,” “moderate,” and “extensive” improvement of scalp coverage.

Researchers state that “The results revealed that all subjects had some regrowth. This ranged from 31.25% (from 16 to 21 hairs) to 2000% (from 1 to 21 hairs).”

The average increase “was statistically significant 246% (15.07 hairs/cm2 increase) in men and 127% (16.06 hairs/cm2) in women. There were no reported adverse effects. All subjects rated their psychosocial perception of the effects of the hair loss, as “happy” or “very happy.” Independent review of the photographs revealed evidence of “mild” to “extensive” scalp coverage improvements for all of the subjects.”

The full study can be found by clicking here.