Women's Scalp Solution

Azelaic Acid/Estradiol/Progesterone/Liothyronine

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Per Package

The Women’s Scalp Solution is formulated to address hair thinning and loss in women, particularly those experiencing female pattern hair loss (androgenic alopecia) or other hormone-related hair concerns.

ACTIVE INGREDIENTS
Azelaic Acid
Saturated dicarboxylic acid with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties which inhibits 5-alpha reductase enzyme
Liothyronine
A thyroid hormone that when applied locally stimulates hair growth
Progesterone
A sex hormone that counteracts testosterone's effects and inhibits DHT production
Estradiol
A sex hormone often depleted in older women and may help stimulate hair follicles, oppose androgenic effects and extend growth phase of hair
HOW TO USE
Suggested dosing
Apply a small amount topically to the affected areas of the scalp at bedtime. Thoroughly massage into the scalp and wash hands afterwards. Consistency is the key to achieving desired results.
DISCLAIMER
This compounded medication is only available when the commercially available product is unavailable or when a prescriber determines that there is a clinically significant difference for the patient.

Medicine Information

Potential Benefits

Increased hair growth
Improved hair health
Increased hair thickness
Decrease in hair loss

Treatment Protocol

Legal

Storage Instructions

Warnings

Potential Side Effects

Irritation, redness, or itching at the application site.

Precautions

Women with a history of hormone-sensitive conditions should use this product with caution.
Although rare with topical scalp applications, the presence of hormones may result in systemic absorption, potentially causing mood changes, altered libido, or other hormone-related effects.
Monitor thyroid function in patients with pre-existing thyroid conditions, as liothyronine may affect systemic thyroid hormone levels.
Regular monitoring of hormone levels, including estradiol and thyroid function, may be warranted during long-term use.

Manufacturer Info

How It Works

Women's Scalp Solution consists of azelaic acid, liothyronine, progesterone, and estradiol.

Azelaic acid reduces DHT levels in the scalp, a hormone known to contribute to hair loss by causing follicular miniaturization. Additionally azelaic acid boosts catalase activity in hair follicle stem cells, supporting their proliferation and function. Azelaic acid also up-regulates gene expression to help initiate and maintain the anagen phase (growth period) of the hair cycle.

Liothyronine, a synthetic version of the thyroid hormone triiodothyronine (T3), has been shown to down-regulate transforming growth factor-beta 2 (TGF-β2), a cytokine known to trigger the transition from the anagen phase to the catagen (regression) phase. By inhibiting TGF-β2, liothyronine may help prolong the anagen phase, thereby preventing premature hair follicle regression and supporting sustained hair growth and hair density.

Progesterone may help prevent hair loss by inhibiting 5-alpha reductase, the enzyme that converts testosterone to DHT, a primary driver of hair follicle miniaturization. Decreased localized DHT levels within the scalp helps prevent miniaturization and may prolong the anagen phase. Progesterone may also help balance scalp sebum production, reducing inflammation and clogged follicles associated with DHT.

Estradiol binds to estrogen receptors on the scalp, where it promotes hair follicle growth and helps prolong the anagen phase of the hair cycle. When applied topically, estradiol also upregulates the expression of the enzyme aromatase, which is responsible for converting androgen into estrogen. This increased aromatase activity can lead to lower local concentrations of DHT which is a key contributor to androgenic alopecia. By reducing DHT levels, estradiol may help mitigate hair follicle miniaturization and support healthier hair growth.

F.A.Q

Q. Will liothyronine in the medication impact the body's (systemic) levels of thyroid hormones?

A. Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can adversely affect hair growth. This stems from the high energy demands of the scalp to fuel hair in its anagen phase (growth) making it sensitive to slight variations in thyroid hormone levels. Low thyroid levels results in hair that is prematurely pushed into the telogen phase, making it thin, dull, and brittle. As such, thyroid function should be assessed at baseline whenever a patient presents with hair growth complaints. However, the liothyronine applied topically to the intact skin of the scalp results in high penetrability and concentration of the drug in the target skin tissue, with nominal absorption of the drug into systemic circulation. Topically applied liiothyronine may boost the energy metabolism of follicle cells and prolong the anagen phase (growth) of the hair cycle, without disrupting systemic thyroid balance.

References

Amirfakhryan E, Davarnia B, Jeddi F, Najafzadeh N. Azelaic acid stimulates catalase activation and promotes hair growth through upregulation of Gli1 and Gli2 mRNA and Shh protein. Avicenna J Phytomed. 2020 Sep-Oct;10(5):460-471. PMID: 32995324; PMCID: PMC7508322.

Grymowicz M, Rudnicka E, Podfigurna A, Napierala P, Smolarczyk R, Smolarczyk K, Meczekalski B. Hormonal Effects on Hair Follicles. Int J Mol Sci. 2020 Jul 28;21(15):5342. doi: 10.3390/ijms21155342. PMID: 32731328; PMCID: PMC7432488.

Safer JD, Fraser LM, Ray S, Holick MF. Topical triiodothyronine stimulates epidermal proliferation, dermal thickening, and hair growth in mice and rats. Thyroid. 2001 Aug;11(8):717-24. doi: 10.1089/10507250152484547. PMID: 11525263.

Paus R, Ramot Y, Kirsner RS, Tomic-Canic M. Topical L-thyroxine: The Cinderella among hormones waiting to dance on the floor of dermatological therapy? Exp Dermatol. 2020 Sep;29(9):910-923. doi: 10.1111/exd.14156. Epub 2020 Aug 28. PMID: 32682336; PMCID: PMC7722149.