Alopecia is a condition that involves much more than the loss of hair. This commonly misunderstood disorder can have disastrous consequences on people’s self-esteem and mental health. A cure for alopecia has not been found yet. However, there are a variety of treatment methods available based on the kind of alopecia.
There are only a few clinical trials and what works on one’s body may not be effective for another one’s body. When you consider the expenses and negative effects of numerous therapies, it’s no surprise that many individuals are looking for more natural options.
CBD oil is one natural therapy for hair loss that is gaining popularity. CBD oil hair and scalp treatments have begun to appear in spas and hair salons, and a short internet search turns up a slew of CBD oil-based products claiming to encourage hair growth and even treat baldness.
CBD For Alopecia
With so many different medical benefits of CBD being revealed, it’s natural to question if CBD oil applied topically can help with alopecia. Unfortunately, the answer is most likely no. Or, at the very least, the right kinds of research haven’t been done to show CBD oil’s effectiveness in managing alopecia.
Let’s start with male pattern baldness, which is one of the most frequent types of hair loss. Male pattern baldness develops when hormones drive hair follicles to shrink, shorten, thinner hairs. Male pattern baldness can be treated with one of two drugs. Finasteride, for example, is an oral medicine that works by lowering DHT levels. Minoxidil is a topical medicine that is the second option. Although its method of action is uncertain, it appears to function in part by increasing blood flow to hair follicles. Sadly, neither of these two effects are known to occur with CBD oil.
There are many encouraging anecdotal accounts online. One woman named Kristin Price was suffering from hair loss as a result of Ehler Danlos Syndrome and turned to CBD oil when her medicine failed. Her hair began to regrow, and she shared it with a friend who also suffered from EDS and hair loss. Because they were both convinced by the results, they founded Hoop Beauty, a CBD oil firm aimed at teenagers, and teamed with Trinity University to participate in clinical trials.
Final Thoughts
We currently have minimal evidence to back up anecdotal reports that CBD oil is useful in treating alopecia when applied topically. CBD oil’s anti-inflammatory and soothing properties are becoming well known and validated by studies.