Steroid Injection For Hair Loss: Benefits & Treatment Guide
Baldness is upsetting to both a person’s appearance and self-esteem. For many people, it causes emotional stress and a lack of confidence, particularly in conditions such as alopecia areata, where the immune system targets the hair follicles.
The National Alopecia Areata Foundation reports that alopecia areata affects more than 160 million people worldwide and may manifest at any age.
Steroid injections for hair loss, also called intralesional corticosteroid therapy, are now a popular treatment for such inflammation-related hair loss. In this procedure, a corticosteroid is injected into the affected area on the scalp to inhibit the immune reaction and defend hair follicles.
This targeted method has fewer side effects as compared with oral steroids. Now, this guide tells about the mechanism of action, the kind of hair loss treated, safety and possible alternatives that you can consider.
What Is A Steroid Injection For Hair Loss?
Steroid injections are medicinal therapy applied to regulate immune-mediated scalp disorders such as alopecia areata. They are usually injected into the dermis of the scalp.
This is how it works:
- Medication Used: Most commonly, Triamcinolone Acetonide is used.
- How It’s Done: Small doses of the steroid are injected on the scalp using a small needle that targets affected areas of the scalp.
- Purpose: This therapy suppresses the immune system attack on the hair follicles so that they can enter into the growing stage again.
- Why It’s Used: It is mostly used in autoimmune diseases, where healthy cells of hair follicles have been attacked by the body.
- Localized Action: The medication stays in the treated area and does not affect the entire body.
- Dosage & Frequency: 2.5 to 10 mg/mL per session. Once every 4 to 6 weeks.
A study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology in 2018 found that 70 to 80 percent of those with early-stage alopecia areata observed hair growth after undergoing regular steroid injections.
Who Is a Suitable Candidate for Scalp Injections for Hair Growth?
Before getting a steroid injection into your scalp, it is necessary to know if you’re a candidate for it or not. Each patient cannot receive steroid injections. You may be a good match for scalp injections if:
- You have alopecia areata
- Hair loss is recent and in patches
- You are in good general health
- Topical creams have not helped
However, these injections are not for:
- Hereditary hair loss
- People with skin that bruises easily
- Long-term scarring alopecia
Always get a full exam before starting this kind of steroid hair loss treatment.
Which Hair Loss Conditions Can Benefit From Steroid Injections?
Steroid injections work best for hair loss types that involve inflammation. These conditions often include a response from the immune system that harms the hair follicle. The injection helps control this response.
Proven Conditions Treated with Steroid Injections:
- Alopecia Areata: Sudden bald patches on the scalp or other areas.
- Lichen Planopilaris: Scarring hair loss with painful red patches.
- Discoid Lupus Erythematosus: An autoimmune disease that leads to the development of scaly, thick plaques on the head.
In such conditions, immune cells prevent the hair follicle from performing its functions. The steroid injections reduce the immune response.
For What Type of Hair Loss Steroids Cannot Be Used?
Steroid injections do not help in all types of hair loss. They are not helpful if the cause is not related to inflammation or the hair loss is due to hormones, pulling, stress, or nutrition.
| Condition | Cause | Why Steroids Don’t Work |
| Androgenetic Alopecia | DHT hormone | No inflammation involved |
| Telogen Effluvium | Illness, stress, shock | Temporary, needs no immune control |
| Traction Alopecia | Pulling from hairstyles | Caused by tension, not autoimmunity |
| Chemotherapy-Induced Loss | Drug side effect | Needs new growth, not reduced immunity |
Doctors also avoid using steroid injections when:
- The scalp has an active infection
- The skin is very thin or damaged
- The person is allergic to steroids
The Dermatology Practical and Conceptual Journal (2023) indicates that treatment of incorrect hair loss with steroids makes the situation worse. Before taking a step, however, you should make sure that you have had a clear diagnosis from a doctor.
Steroid Injections vs Topical vs Oral Steroids
Hair loss can be treated via corticosteroids in three principal ways. These are injections, tablets and creams. All the methods have their advantages and disadvantages.
| Treatment Type | Absorption | Best For | Risks | Location |
| Injection | High | Localized patches | Skin dents, mild pain | Done in clinic |
| Topical | Low | Mild scalp inflammation | Skin thinning, irritation | Can use at home |
| Oral | Systemic | Severe widespread symptoms | Weight gain, acne, immune effects | Prescription only |
Doctors usually begin with injections for small patches of alopecia. Creams may be used later to help keep results. Oral steroids are used when hair loss spreads quickly, but they have more side effects.
How Do Steroid Injections Work on the Scalp?
The hair follicle goes through three stages: growth (anagen), rest (telogen), and a middle phase (catagen). In autoimmune hair loss, the immune system stops this cycle by pushing the hair into the rest phase. Steroid injections help the hair go back to the growth stage.
Mechanism of Action:
- Lowers activity of immune cells near the hair root
- Reduces swelling, itching, and redness
- Helps the hair grow again by protecting the follicle
What Are the Benefits of Steroid Injections?
Steroid injections are helpful in treating certain types of hair loss. They act right at the site where hair is falling out. This gives them an edge over other forms of steroid therapy that act throughout the body.
Key Benefits
- Acts Locally: Works where the problem is without affecting the whole body.
- Quick Results: Hair may start to grow in 4 to 8 weeks.
- Lower Risk of Side Effects: Less chance of gaining weight or other whole-body effects.
- Repeatable Treatment: Can be done again every 4–6 weeks if needed.
- Affordable: Cheaper than many other advanced treatments.
It is clinically supported by:
| Study | Findings | Timeframe |
| JAAD, 2018 | 63% showed at least half of hair regrowth | 12 weeks |
| Dermatol Ther, 2019 | 82% saw visible new hair | 8 weeks |
| Arch Dermatol, 2012 | Early-stage cases responded best | Ongoing care |
An early start makes a better result with further continuation as recommended.
What Are the Risks Associated with Steroid Injections?
Although steroid injections are safe to many individuals, their local side effects can occur. These happen more at high doses or frequent sessions.
Common Side Effects:
- Thinning of the skin around the injection site
- Dents or dips in the scalp
- Lighter skin in treated areas
- Mild pain or burning
- A short-term rise in shedding
Rare Side Effects:
- Infection from unclean needles
- Allergic reactions
- Pimples or sores near the injection spot
| Side Effect | Frequency | Management |
| Skin thinning | Common | Lower dose or pause the treatment |
| Hypopigmentation | Occasional | Goes away over time |
| Pain or swelling | Mild | Apply ice or numbing cream |
| Infection | Rare | Use antibiotics if needed |
Always get this procedure done by a trained skin doctor using clean equipment.
Steroid Injection for Hair Loss Before and After – What to Expect
The results of steroid injection for hair loss before and after are not instant. These hair conditions are very resistant, and so require patience to get desired results. People report the following:
- Week 1 to 2: No change. Mild soreness may happen
- Week 3 to 5: New thin hair may begin to grow
- Week 6 to 8: Hair becomes thicker and darker
Depending on the response, patients may need 3–6 sessions spaced 4–6 weeks apart. Doctors recommend taking scalp pictures to track your progress and avoiding irritants like heat tools.
Effectiveness of Corticosteroids for Hair Loss
Results depend on what is causing the hair loss, how long it has been going on, and how the immune system reacts.
Real-World Results
- A 2021 British Journal of Dermatology study showed that 80 percent of people with alopecia areata saw new hair within 3 months
- Some patients with early-stage scarring types kept the hair they had and stopped further loss
Factors That Affect Results
- The shorter the hair loss duration, the better the result
- Hair on the scalp grows back faster than on other areas
- Some people may need to add other treatments like PRP, minoxidil, or light therapy
Hair Growth Injection Alternatives to Steroids
If steroid shots do not help, other hair treatments include:
| Treatment | Works for | Benefit |
| PRP | Some types of non-scarring hair loss | Uses growth factors from blood |
| Minoxidil | Pattern baldness | Improves blood flow to follicles |
| Microneedling | Thin hair, shedding | Helps absorb hair serums |
| Finasteride | Androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness) | Reduces DHT levels |
| Biotin + Zinc | Deficiency-related loss | Strengthens hair and nails |
Doctors often use these with injections or after discontinuing steroids.
Will Hair Loss from Steroids Grow Back?
Hair loss from steroids depends on the cause and how long you used them. There are two common situations:
Anabolic Steroid-Induced Hair Loss:
- Caused by DHT (testosterone) spikes
- Long-term use may lead to permanent hair loss
- Once follicles close, hair may not grow back
Steroid Injections for Autoimmune Hair Loss:
- These reduce scalp inflammation
- They help hair regrow if started early
- Regrowth is more likely with regular treatment
To improve the chances of hair coming back:
- Begin the treatment as soon as it is possible
- Take the drugs as prescribed by your doctor and never miss them
- Avoid tight hairstyles that pull on hair
- Apply soft scalp treatment and be stress free
In case you quit anabolic steroids, it is likely that the hair loss rate gets reduced but is not reversed. As opposed to that, when steroid injections are implemented in a timely manner, hair can grow and retain its health through proper maintenance.
How to Maximize Results of Hair Growth Injections
Hair growth injections help stimulate hair regrowth, especially in alopecia areata. But results depend on how you support the treatment.
To get the best results:
Do not skip appointments
- Missed sessions can reduce effectiveness
- Follow-up injections may be required
Use doctor-approved products only
- Serums and shampoos should not be harmful to your scalp
- Do not use over-the-counter medications without being authorised
Avoid scalp stress
- Strictly no ponytails or braids, or buns
- Avoid scrubbing and scratching your head
Support scalp health
- Have a balanced diet of nutrients
- Keep your head covered against heat or the sun or excessive weather conditions
- Stay hydrated and prevent smoking
Follow medical advice strictly
- Adhere strictly to medical recommendation
- Do not introduce new cures without consultation with your doctor
Constant care and medical help can also make hair regrowth through injections stronger and more long-term.
Conclusion
When hair loss is due to autoimmune or inflammatory disease of the scalp, steroid injections can be helpful. They work by tempering the immune activity against hair follicles. This can assist in revival of hair growth particularly when it is used at an early time.
They are not effective against all forms of hair loss and can only be initiated only after a doctor’s assessment. To the individuals having scattered bald areas or scalp inflammation, this is one step closer to healthier hair and higher confidence.
This article is medically reviewed by Medical Aesthetic Dr. Ali Khalil (PHD)
See Our Doctors & Surgeons
How much do steroid injections cost for hair loss?
Prices vary. Clinics can give estimates after a visit.
What is the success rate of steroid injections for alopecia?
Approximately 70-80 percent of individuals affected by early alopecia areata using steroid hair begin to grow again.
How often should I get steroid injections for hair loss?
One injection each 4-6 weeks or as prescribed by the physician.
How painful are steroid injections in the scalp?
You can experience minor discomfort. The majority copes with it.
How long does it take to see results from steroid treatments?
It takes 4-6 weeks after starting that hair growth is observed by many people.
Are steroid injections a permanent solution for alopecia areata?
No. Hair loss can return. Long-term care may be needed.
Can I combine steroid injections with other hair loss therapies?
Yes. Minoxidil, PRP or laser therapy can be added by doctors to achieve better results.
