DMSO Reverses Hair Loss in Amyloidosis: A Surprising Medical Discovery with Broader Implications
A forgotten report links this controversial solvent to reversing sudden graying and hair loss in a specific medical case.
This case report on reversing hair loss is one of those strange medical anomalies that makes you stop and scroll back up. Usually, when hair turns white and falls out, we accept it as the march of time or stress, but this distinct analysis from 1987 suggests a chemical intervention might hit the rewind button under specific conditions. I’ve been experimenting with DMSO for a while now, mostly looking for improvements in wound healing and circulation, so stumbling across a study linking it to hair restoration caught me off guard.
It’s a fascinating premise: a solvent known for penetrating skin barriers seemingly cleared out the biological gunk stopping hair growth. While I’ve made peace with not having a full head of hair anymore, the mechanism here is intriguing enough to warrant a closer look.
“The scalp hair and beard grew and turned to black gradually several months after dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) treatment.”
What’s the Big Idea?
The patient history in this analysis is dramatic, involving a 64-year-old man who experienced a rapid physical decline that sounds terrifyingly sudden. Over just two months, his hair didn’t just thin—it turned white and fell out across his scalp, beard, and body. This wasn’t standard male pattern baldness; it was a systemic crash linked to primary amyloidosis, a condition where abnormal proteins (amyloids) build up in tissues and organs.
Doctors initially suspected thyroid issues, but biopsies revealed amyloid deposits choking his hair follicles and attacking his prostate. The treatment plan wasn’t a fancy new drug, but oral DMSO—a compound often used for bladder inflammation or as a topical solvent.
The results were visible within months. After taking 2.5 ml of DMSO twice a day, the patient’s hair started growing back. But the real kicker? It grew back black. The treatment didn’t just restore the follicle’s ability to produce hair; it seemingly rebooted the pigment production that the disease had shut down. It suggests that the amyloid proteins were physically blocking the nutrient or signal pathways essential for hair health, and the solvent helped flush them out.
Why It Matters and What You Can Do
The potential connection between vascular health and hair growth is the real headline here, extending beyond this one patient’s rare disease. While most of us aren’t suffering from primary amyloidosis, the mechanism—clearance of metabolic waste to restore function—is a core tenet of longevity research.
As someone watching my own hairline recede, I found myself wondering if other forms of accumulation—like calcification or fibrosis—might be playing a similar role in standard aging. If DMSO acts as a solvent to improve circulation and clear blockages, could it have broader applications? The study notes that DMSO likely dissolved or mobilized the amyloid deposits surrounding the blood vessels and hair papilla, effectively reopening the supply lines.
If you are exploring this space, keep the approach grounded in caution:
Understand the Grade: Not all DMSO is created equal. Industrial grades can contain impurities you do not want in your body. Look for pharmaceutical grade (99.9% pure) if you are considering topical applications for other issues.
Start Low and Slow: DMSO is potent. It creates a thermal reaction (heat) on the skin and leads to vasodilation.
Watch What You Mix: Because it is a “super solvent,” it drags whatever is on your skin into your bloodstream. Applying it after a workout without washing off sweat, dirt, or lotions means you are injecting those contaminants transdermally.
What’s Next on the Horizon
The broader implication for anti-aging research is that some “permanent” losses might actually be reversible mechanical blockages. This paper is decades old, yet we haven’t seen a rush of DMSO-based hair tonics on the market. Why? Likely because amyloidosis is a specific pathology, and what works for a protein-based blockage might not work for hormonal hair loss (DHT).
However, science rarely moves in a straight line. Modern research is looking heavily at proteostasis—the body’s ability to clear out misfolded proteins. As we age, this cleanup crew gets lazy, leading to Alzheimer’s, heart issues, and perhaps visible signs of aging like graying.
Who knows, maybe soon we will see safer, targeted delivery systems that mimic this “clearing” effect without the systemic risks of a solvent. It opens the door to asking: Is gray hair a dead end, or just a clogged pipe?
Safety, Ethics, and Caveats
The safety profile of DMSO is tricky, and this study highlights a major social side effect alongside the medical risks. The patient experienced no adverse health effects, except for one: the smell. DMSO is notorious for metabolizing into dimethyl sulfide, which exits the body through the lungs and skin. It smells like garlic, creamed corn, or oysters. It’s strong enough that people across the room can often smell it on you.
Beyond the social stigma, we have to look at the limitations:
N=1: This is a single case study. One man, one specific disease. Extrapolating this to general male pattern baldness is a massive stretch.
Oral Risks: This patient took DMSO orally. This is significantly riskier than topical use and should absolutely not be done without medical supervision. It can impact the liver, kidneys, and eyes in high doses.
Skin Irritation: Topical application often causes stinging, redness, and itching.
I see the appeal of trying to hack hair loss, but balance is crucial. The jump from “helped a man with a rare protein disease” to “will restore my hairline” is a canyon, not a step.
One Last Thing
It’s easy to get excited about a black-hair reboot, but remember that this was a systemic rescue job, not a cosmetic tweak. If you decide to explore DMSO for other soreness or circulation issues, treat it with the respect a powerful industrial solvent deserves—and maybe don’t schedule any first dates immediately after.
Explore the Full Study
Amyloidosis Presented with Whitening and loss of Hair which Improved after DimethylSulfoxide (DMSO) Treatment
Hsieh, S. D., et al. (1987). Japanese Journal of Medicine. DOI: 10.2169/internalmedicine1962.26.393