A new analysis of multiple studies found that vitamin D treatments may help people with mild to moderate alopecia areata, a condition that causes patchy hair loss. Researchers looked at studies using vitamin D applied to the skin or injected into affected areas. About 54% of people saw significant hair regrowth (75% or more) with vitamin D treatments. The treatments worked even better when combined with other therapies like steroid creams or light therapy. Side effects were minimal, making vitamin D a potentially safe and affordable option for people dealing with this type of hair loss.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether vitamin D treatments can help regrow hair in people with alopecia areata, a condition causing round patches of hair loss
  • Who participated: People with mild to moderate alopecia areata from multiple clinical studies
  • Key finding: About 54% of people achieved significant hair regrowth (75% or more) with vitamin D treatments
  • What it means for you: If you have patchy hair loss, vitamin D treatments might be worth discussing with your doctor as a safe, affordable option

The Research Details

This was a systematic review and meta-analysis, which means researchers gathered all the high-quality studies on vitamin D for alopecia areata and combined their results to get a bigger picture. They looked at clinical trials that tested vitamin D applied as creams, gels, or solutions on the skin, as well as vitamin D injected directly into the hairless patches. The researchers measured success by looking at how much hair regrew - either using a hair regrowth scale or a tool that measures the severity of hair loss called the SALT score.

This type of research is valuable because it combines results from multiple smaller studies to give us more reliable conclusions. Instead of relying on just one study with maybe 20 or 30 people, this analysis looks across many studies to see if vitamin D consistently helps with hair regrowth.

The researchers only included clinical trials, which are considered high-quality evidence. However, they noted that there weren’t many randomized controlled trials available, and many studies didn’t check participants’ baseline vitamin D levels or other autoimmune conditions that might affect results.

What the Results Show

The overall success rate for vitamin D treatments was about 54%, meaning roughly half of people with mild to moderate alopecia areata saw significant hair regrowth. Both topical vitamin D (applied to the skin) and intralesional vitamin D (injected into the affected areas) showed effectiveness. The injected form appeared to work better than the topical form, with people being about 3 times more likely to see good results compared to placebo treatments. When vitamin D was combined with other treatments, the results were even better - particularly when used alongside steroid creams or narrow-band UV light therapy.

The study found that vitamin D worked well as an add-on treatment. When combined with topical steroids or light therapy, people saw enhanced results compared to using those treatments alone. However, when compared head-to-head with steroid injections or a medication called bimatoprost, vitamin D was less effective.

This analysis supports growing evidence that vitamin D plays an important role in hair follicle health and immune system regulation. Previous research has suggested that people with alopecia areata often have lower vitamin D levels, and this study confirms that vitamin D treatments can be beneficial.

The analysis was limited by the small number of high-quality studies available. Many studies didn’t measure participants’ vitamin D blood levels before treatment, so researchers couldn’t determine if people with lower levels responded better. The studies also didn’t consistently check for other autoimmune conditions that might affect treatment response.

The Bottom Line

Vitamin D treatments appear to be a reasonable option for people with mild to moderate patchy hair loss, especially when used alongside other treatments. The evidence suggests moderate confidence in these results, but more research is needed to determine optimal dosing and treatment duration.

People with mild to moderate alopecia areata who are looking for safe, affordable treatment options should discuss vitamin D with their dermatologist. Those with severe or rapidly progressing hair loss may need stronger treatments.

The studies didn’t specify exact timeframes, but hair regrowth typically takes several months to become noticeable. Patients should expect to use treatments consistently for at least 3-6 months before seeing significant results.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Take weekly photos of affected areas using consistent lighting and angles to monitor hair regrowth progress
  • Track daily vitamin D supplement intake and any topical vitamin D applications as prescribed by your doctor
  • Log hair regrowth progress monthly using a simple scale (no change, slight improvement, moderate improvement, significant improvement) and note any side effects

This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult with a dermatologist or healthcare provider before starting any new treatment for hair loss. Individual results may vary, and what works for one person may not work for another.