Zinc has been shown to be a beneficial vitamin in the treatment of both Alopecia Areata and Androgenetic Alopecia.

Oral zinc has been shown to be of benefit in Alopecia areata and seems to have an immunomodulatory effect.

There have been studies in which zinc is shown to inhibit 5 alpha reductase activity, and it is therefor concluded that zinc is beneficial in diseases and disorders related to an excess in dihydrotestosterone (DHT) such as Androgenetic Alopecia, Benign Prostratic Hyperplasma and acne. There have been studies that have shown that vitamin b6, zinc and azelaic acid combined together, even at very low concentrations caused a 90% inhibition of 5 alpha reductase activity.

Zinc is a vitamin that is used in other disorders related to excess dihydrotestosterone, such as acne and prostratic disease. One may be likely to assume that as it is of benefit in treating these types of androgen dependent conditions then it may be of some benefit in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia.

Topical application of zinc has shown to reduce sebum prodcution and acne. Also some people suffering fron acne have been found to have zinc deficiencies in their skin, inspite of the fact that they may have normal levels within their bloodstream.

Animal studies have shown that administration of topical zinc solutions resulted in a increase in hair growth.

Related studies involving zinc.

STUDY: Zinc salts effects on granulocyte zinc concentration and chemotaxis in acne patients.

STUDY: Zinc in the human prostate

STUDY: Interspecies variations in response to topical application of selected zinc compounds.

STUDY: Zinc arginine, a 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor, reduces rat ventral prostate weight and DNA without affecting testicular function.