Impact of the Gut and Skin Microbiome in Alopecia

According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, interventions targeting dysbiosis may potentially assist in the treatment and management of hair loss.

Researchers aimed to explore the current literature on the gut-skin connection in alopecia to summarize interventions that impact hair growth through modulation of the gut or skin microbiome. They focused on various forms of alopecia, including alopecia areata, androgenic alopecia, alopecia universalis, central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia, and lichen planopilaris. PubMed searches were conducted, filtering for human and animal studies, excluding non-English articles and those assessing supplemental therapies for alopecia.

The findings suggest that alterations in the scalp, hair follicle, and gut microbiome are associated with different types of alopecia. Notably, dysbiosis in these areas appears to play a role in the pathophysiology of alopecia. The review highlights the potential of interventions targeting microbiome dysbiosis, such as fecal transplants and probiotics, in influencing hair growth. However, the study acknowledged limitations in the current state of research in this field.

“Dysbiosis on the scalp, within the hair follicle and the gut seem to have a role in the pathophysiology of various forms of alopecia,” the authors stated, “Further studies are needed to establish a direct connection and to clarify specific effects of these interventions.”

Reference
Carrington AE, Maloh J, Nong Y, Agbai ON, Bodemer AA, Sivamani RK. The gut and skin microbiome in alopecia: associations and interventions. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2023;16(10):59-64.