Does calcipotriene, or any of the D3 analogues, stimulate hair growth?
The reason I ask is because I have been prescribed both Clobetasol Propionate and Calcipotriene to treat a chronic, non-psoriatic, scalp condition I have had for the past two decades. Severe itching and burning, but no psoriatic lesions.
After roughly one month of using the Clobetasol shampoo, sparingly and once per day, followed by liquid Calcipotriene, I have noticed the triangular-shaped area of the sides of my scalp, in line with the tips of my ears, is becoming very noticeable, as well as dark.
I did an experiment where I put ten drops of the Calcipotriene on the right side of this triangle only, once per day. After two weeks of daily application, the right side is visible and pigmented, while the left side is nonexistent. Both were originally nonexistent.
I have also noticed my crown appears to be getting much thicker as well. I have been using 2.5mg of Finasteride (generic) once per day for the past seven months, however it has only been since I have been using the Clobet / Calcipo combination that I have truly seen any regrowth or thickening.
Since there is an inflammatory aspect to alopecia, in addition to the DHT, could it be that the Clobet is contributing to the thickening as it is a super-potent anti-inflammatory?
I have heard, recently, that a misconfigured D3 receptor may be implicated in alopecia and that D3 analogues may hold some promise.
In your experience with those with scalp psoriasis undergoing topical Clobet / Calcipo therapy, have you noticed any thickening or regrowth that you could not attribute to Finasteride?
Thank you very much for your most valuable time and for all the information, and hope, that you give to those desperately seeking Susan…I mean, hair.
Calcipotriene or Calcipotriol is Vitamin D Analog for treatment of psoriasis. There are actually some thought that theoretically it may INDUCE hair loss. Some recent papers suggest it may help for those with alopecia areata but only for those with a specific vitamin D receptor (VDR) mutation.
Your specific question is likely pertaining to genetic male pattern balding (MPB) or androgenic alopecia (AGA). This is a separate genetic trait that is not related to the vitamin D receptor (VDR) mutation. Thus, it will likly not affect hair growth.