Local Therapy of Androgenetic Alopecia with 17α-Estradiol

In a study involving 51 patients with androgenetic alopecia, the application of hair lotions containing 17α-estradiol (0.025%) over at least 6 months resulted in a reduction of telogen hairs in 63% of the treated group, compared to 37% in the control group. Only 11% of the treated patients experienced worsening conditions, versus 50% in the control group. There was no significant change in the amount of growing anagen hairs or seborrhea in either group, and no side effects were observed. The study suggested that 17α-estradiol could reduce hair loss but did not promote new hair growth.