Recovering Hair Loss With Topical Hemp Extract

"Since this hemp extract works through novel mechanisms entirely different from finasteride and minoxidil, it can be used in conjunction with these current drugs and would be expected to have synergistic effects."

"The study is a case series of adults presenting to a 'Hair and Scalp' center in Clearwater, Florida. Adult subjects, who were not currently using minoxidil or finasteride, were offered the opportunity to receive the hemp-based formulation free of charge. Thirty-one subjects, 15 males and 16 females, representing a variety of racial backgrounds (27 Caucasian, 2 Asian, and 2 Mixed-race), presented AGA with Norwood-Hamilton scale classification score of 3V or higher. The predefined endpoints were hair counts obtained in a defined, representative area of scalp hair loss, and investigator clinical assessment of hair growth."

"Ages ranged from 31 to 65 for the females and from 39 to 64 for the males. The subjects gave their written informed consent for this 6-month trial. The study adhered to the Helsinki guidelines and was institutionally approved. None of the subjects were currently using minoxidil or finasteride. No other hair loss treatments were used during the 6 months of the research."

Topical Cannabinoids study, International Journal of Trichology

Findings compared to traditional hair regrowth prescription medicines like finasteride and minoxidil ointments. Photo by Getty Images/iStockphoto

A study involving 31 male and female patients with androgenetic alopecia -- the most common cause of hair loss -- was published recently in the International Journal of Trichology. Every patient in the study, 15 men and 16 women, was found to have experienced regrowth of hair following daily application of a topical solution which was formulated with hemp-derived cannabinoids over a period of the study's six-month experiment.

None of those involved in the study reported having suffered adverse effects of any nature as a result of the daily use of the topical solution. According to researchers, the finds resulted in "superior results" in comparison to traditional hair regrowth prescription medications such as finasteride and minoxidil ointments.

The study concluded that the cannabinoids which included cannabidiol (CBD), tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) and cannabidivarin (CBDV) were proven to have novel therapeutic effects on hair growth through the endocannabinoid system, playing a crucial role in regulating natural functions of many of the body's natural functions through "down-regulating" inflammatory responses and "up-regulating" regenerative processes.

 

Male– Day 0–2 hairs/cm²

 

Male patients on average recorded a 15.07 hairs/cm2 increase of hair regrowth for an average increase of 246 percent.  Hair regrowth of 15.05 hairs/cm2, for an average increase of 127 percent was realized by female patients. Photographs before and after treatment of the patients' scalps according to an independent review, were found to have "mild" to extensive scalp coverage improvements for all participants in the study.

 

Female– Day 180-37 hairs/cm²

 

2021 research had found that topical applications of about 3 to 4 milligrams of CBD fed an average of 93.5 percent increase in hair after six months' usage. Hair regrowth was recorded in that earlier study in every patient, with no adverse effects, as well. Although the latest study improved on those earlier results, researchers feel that further studies are required to determine safety and efficacy of topical hemp extracts used in conjunction with finasterid and minoxidil.

 

Male– Day 180-19 hairs/cm²

 

Sold in general forms, Minoxidil in branded products such as Rogaine have been consistently popular as a hair loss treatment since the 1980s. Finasteride-based products like Proscar and Propecia were popular in the 1990s. There have been identifiable links to prostate cancer risk, skin rashes and sexual side-effects such as arousal and maintaining an erection, however, with Finasteride.

Female– Day 0–16 hairs/cm²