Minoxidil

Minoxidil appears to be effective in the treatment of alopecia areata in patients with extensive disease (50-99% hair loss). Response rates in that group vary from 8-45%. Minoxidil was of little benefit in patients with alopecia totalis or alopecia universalis.

The 5% solution appears to be more effective.

No more than 25 drops are applied twice per day regardless of the extent of the affected area.

Initial regrowth can be seen within 12 weeks, but continued application is needed to achieve cosmetically acceptable regrowth.

Minoxidil usually is well tolerated. Adverse effects include distant hypertrichosis (5%) and irritation (7%).

The exact mechanism of action of minoxidil remains unclear. Minoxidil does not appear to have either a hormonal or an immunosuppressant effect. Minoxidil most likely has a direct mitogenic effect on epidermal cells, both in vitro and in vivo. Anagen-phase hair bulbs plucked from men applying minoxidil showed a significant increase in proliferation index as measured by DNA flow cytometry. Minoxidil also has been shown to prolong the survival time of keratinocytes in vitro. Finally, minoxidil may oppose intracellular calcium entry. Calcium influx normally enhances epidermal growth factors to inhibit hair growth. Minoxidil is converted to minoxidil sulfate, which is a potassium channel agonist and enhances potassium ion permeability, thus opposing the entry of calcium into cells. Local vasodilatation does not appear to play a primary role in hair growth associated with minoxidil.

Hello Su. I agree with Abdul's answer.

Have a look at PRP (platelet rich plasma) for alopecia.

http://prpforhairloss.com.au/about-prp-injections-hair-loss/

http://www.orangecountyhairrestoration.org/prp-therapy.html

This is a relatively new and safe way to treat different kinds of alopecia.

It deserves the research time and clinical applications.

usually the underlying conditions done make any big impact on the outcome of medical treatment of androgenetic alopecia. may have some affect for hair transplant

Alopecia whatever variant is autoimmune state and DM also so the association of both and other autoimmune diseases like thyroiditis, myasthenia gravis ect..so the search of possible underlying cause and get red of it could be the clue for such a problem e.g H. pylori is known cause for both AA and secondary DM. 

I agree with Abdul´s answer and have a few experience using PRP for treating alopecia in DM patients. 

The idea of searching an underluing cause linking alopecia and DM suggested by doctor Adil is interesting too. 

Dear Dr Junior thanks for your comment, the link between DM and AA is proved status in many researches.

Bashir A. H. H.1,2*, Yousif S. M.2 and Mahmoud M. O. A.2. Clinicoepidemiological study in Sudanese patients: Prevalence and effect of eradicative triple therapy on extra digestive Helicobacter pylori skin manifestations, EdHpSm. Clinical Reviews and Opinions Vol. 3(2), pp. 14-19, February 2011

Available online http://www.academicjournals.org/cro

ISSN 2141-2553 ©2011 Academic Journals

Essential oils have been shown (in at least one reputable published scientific study that I am aware of,  to be effective in the treatment of alopecia). ie

Randomized trial of aromatherapy. Successful treatment for alopecia areata.

Hay IC1, Jamieson M, Ormerod AD.

I personally think they can help in a number of ways:

1. Massage reduces stress, essential oils like lavender also have some sedative properties and can reduce stress 

2. Many essential oils are anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-viral (sometimes alopecia can be caused by fungal, bacterial or virual infections.

3. The act of massaging gently induces circulation

4. The carrier oils used to dilute the essential oils to safe levels of use themselves have healing / soothing properties (eg jojoba, olive oil), and can help if the hair loss is caused by dermatitis/allergies etc

I would be very interested in any other studies linking aromatherapy, essential oils etc.. to treatment of alopecia.

 Platelet Rich Protein Injections harvested from patients own blood.