The link between chronic inflammation and hair loss is well established. Those with Androgenetic hair loss exhibit signs of DHT induced chronic inflammation around the hair follicles in the patterned areas, which is termed peri-follicular inflammation. This inflammation, left unchecked, will progress to perifollicular fibrosis,  making hair regrowth significantly less likely.  Neutralizing this inflammatory process alone, independent of any hormonal (DHT) intervention often reverses “androgenetic” hair loss.   

      There are several interventions both systemic and topical that effectively reverse hair loss by directly addressing inflammation. This route is often preferable to many, due to potential side effects associated with pharmaceutical DHT inhibitors.  Among the most effective anti-inflammation interventions for hair loss are the oral combination of Resveratrol and Curcumin, Ketoconazole Shampoo, and topically applied Emu Oil. This newly released study demonstrates that Emu Oil neutralizes the specific inflammatory messengers (cytokines) directly associated with hormonal (MPB) hair loss, Interleukin 1 (IL-1) and Tumor Necrosis Alpha (TNF-a).

Horm Mol Biol Clin Investig. 2020 Jan 23.  Anti-inflammatory activity of emu oil-based nanofibrous scaffold through downregulation of IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α pro-inflammatory cytokines.Abstract Background Inflammation is one of the most important responses of the body against infection or disease, and it protects tissues from injury; however, it causes redness, swelling, pain, fever and loss of function. The aim of this present study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of emu oil (Eu) formulated nanofibrous scaffold in HFFF2 fibroblast cells. Materials and methods Eu was formulated successfully in nanofibers through the electrospinning method. Besides, the morphological and structural properties of Eu nanofibres were evaluated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The MTT assay (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) was performed to evaluate the HFFF2 fibroblast cells’ viability. Also, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to evaluate the anti-inflammatory signaling pathway in treated HFFF2 cells with Eu nanofiber. Results Our study showed that the Eu nanofiber increased the viability of fibroblast HFFF2 cells (p < 0.05). Also, the expression of interleukin1 (IL1), IL6 and tumor necrosis factor- alpha (TNF-α) pro-inflammatory cytokines genes were significantly decreased in treated HFFF2 cells with Eu nanofiber (p < 0.05). Conclusions In conclusion, Eu nanofiber scaffold potentially can reduce the inflammation process through downregulation of IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α cytokines.  

        Minoxidil or Rogaine, whose exact mechanisms of action on hair growth have remained a mystery, was found to be an effective down regulator of IL-1, leading investigators to conclude that is was a likely contributor, if not primary cause, of its hair growth stimulation effects.
Minoxidil downregulates Interleukin-1

        Topically applied Emu Oil, will by itself, inhibit the cytokines most associated with MPB. Evidence exist that combining Emu Oil with Minoxidil, significantly enhances its effectiveness to the point where the research team conducting the study pursued a product patent based upon this combination.
Evaluation of Minoxidil/Emu Oil Emulsion

      Regardless of treatment modality, accounting for the inflammatory component is one of the most critical and effective routes of intervention for treatment success.