Baldness is a genetic condition affecting mostly men. Studies show that the average rate of hair loss is about 5% per year. Some go bald in just 5 years while others take longer time to lose all their hair. It's a genetic condition but can also affect others due to contributing factors such as hormones and ageing.
While some hopeless cases result to hair transplant, a recent study showed that the drugs used to combat rheumatoid arthritis and cancer can be used as creams to aid with hair growth according to a report by Youth Independent.
Cancer drugs are known to stimulate hair loss. But some drugs called the JAK inhibitors actually help in hair reproduction according to NBC news. One of those drugs is called tofacitinib (Xeljanz), which is used for rheumatoid arthritis treatment and another is called ruxolitinib (Jakafi), which is used as treatment to fight certain cancers.
Angela Christiano and her Columbia University colleagues spearheaded the study and used the said drugs on patients of a rare condition called alopecia areata. This is caused by the immune system attacking hair follicles causing hair loss.
Christiano said in an interview with NBC news, "The surprise was when we started using the drugs on alopecia areata patients, when we used them topically the hair grew back much faster and more robustly than it did orally."
"Some topical agents induce tufts of hair here and there after a few weeks, but very few have such a potent and rapid-acting effect," she added.
Although the results were outstanding, further studies need to be done first before clinical trials for people.
"What we've found is promising, though we haven't yet shown it is effective for male pattern baldness. More work needs to be done to test formulations of JAK inhibitors specially made for the scalp to determine whether they can induce hair growth in humans," adds Christiano.
