Botox as “cure for baldness”? How could paralyzing the scalp muscles produce hair growth?
That’s what cosmetic surgeon Dr. Simon Ourian of Beverly Hills says it does.
Maybe that’s nonsense.
If not, here’s a possible clue about how it might work. Botox has many applications in muscles, from smoothing wrinkles to easing bladder problems. But it might also have effects beyond the muscles:
The British journal New Scientist reports that modified Botox might trigger the release of anti-asthma, anti-cancer chemicals.
Dermatologist Dr. Dore Gilbert of Newport Beach is interested. “I hope it works. I will give it a try in selected patients,” he says. “The patients need to understand that this would be an ‘off label’ use of the drug.”
Plastic surgeon Dr. John Di Saia of San Clemente is interested, but skeptical. “It is possible, but unproven,” he says. “It might just be a PR grab for the good doctor.”
Plastic surgeon Donald Altman of Irvine adds, “I haven’t any clinical experience or anecdotal notion that Botox causes any hair regrowth on the scalp.” But, as a bald guy, cosmetic-doctor Altman has an offer for this bald-guy blogger: “I will have to keep my eyes open to this finding and let you know if I learn anything. If true, it might prompt me to try injecting both of our scalps.”
Back in February 2009, when the story originally broke in the U.S., I mentioned to some patients that the hair regrowth Dr. O. observed in his mother might have something more to do with her recently stopping chemo (regrowth typically takes 12-14 months after chemo) than with the Botox injections for her headaches.
Botox for hair loss would be quite a long-shot (not to mention, expensive!) especially considering there’s no published, peer-reviewed articles and not a single photo of a result, anywhere!
For now, hair loss patients are best to stick with the FDA-approved treatments/procedures recommended by board-certified hair docs.
Sincerely,
Dr. Alan Bauman
Bauman Medical Group — Boca Raton, FL
I would strongly advise patients to save their money for proven hair restoration techniques until Dr. Ourian publishes his before and after findings in a peer reviewed scientific medical journal with his before and after photos.
Dr. Persky