January 201853
Finasteride over dutasteride was argued to give more predictable side effects, though persistent effects occur in some men. Biofibre artificial hair implants were reported to satisfy 98% of patients; side effects in 9% resolved with treatment. Platelet-rich plasma across seven studies was found to increase hair count and thickness, with evidence still limited. Microneedling plus minoxidil beat minoxidil alone for hair count and satisfaction, without cosmetically significant gains. Finasteride and dutasteride in placebo-controlled trials were found to raise sexual dysfunction risk, significant for finasteride only. Low-level light therapy added to minoxidil improved density, diameter and satisfaction in a sham-controlled trial. Topical minoxidil was concluded a milestone treatment, increasing non-vellus counts and follicle size. Hair transplantation complications were found few and mostly avoidable through proper technique and counseling. Scalp oxidative stress was argued to promote premature hair loss, supporting zinc pyrithione shampoos. ACD-A vials for PRP gave the highest platelet counts of three reagents tested.
- Androgenetic alopecia; drug safety and therapeutic strategies A review argues finasteride should be preferred over dutasteride for pattern hair loss: dutasteride is more effective but finasteride's side effects seem more predictable; persistent side effects occur in some men.
- Automatic Artificial Hair Implant: Safety and Efficacy in Androgenetic Alopecia. A Prospective Study with a Highly Biocompatible Fiber In a 213-patient prospective study, Biofibre artificial hair implants satisfied 98% of androgenetic alopecia patients, with side effects in 9% resolving with treatment.
- The use of minoxidil in the treatment of male and female androgenetic alopecia: a story of more than 30 years A review concludes topical minoxidil remains a milestone treatment for androgenetic alopecia, increasing non-vellus hair counts and follicle size.
- A meta-analysis on evidence of platelet-rich plasma for androgenetic alopecia A meta-analysis of seven studies (194 patients) found PRP injections increased hair count and thickness, but evidence remains limited.
- Adverse effects with finasteride 5 mg/day for patterned hair loss in premenopausal women a study reports adverse effects of finasteride 5 mg/day for patterned hair loss in premenopausal women.
- The effectiveness of adding low-level light therapy to minoxidil 5% solution in the treatment of patients with androgenetic alopecia In a 50-patient sham-controlled trial, adding low-level light therapy to 5% minoxidil improved hair density, diameter, recovery and satisfaction.
- Adverse Sexual Effects of Treatment with Finasteride or Dutasteride for Male Androgenetic Alopecia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis A meta-analysis of 15 placebo-controlled trials found finasteride/dutasteride raised sexual dysfunction risk 1.57-fold; significant for finasteride but not dutasteride, where trials were limited.
- Scalp condition impacts hair growth and retention via oxidative stress A review argues scalp oxidative stress, including from Malassezia, contributes to premature hair loss, recommending zinc pyrithione shampoos as part of hair-loss regimens.
- Complications in hair transplantation A review finds hair transplantation relatively safe with few complications, most avoidable through proper technique, wound care and pre-surgery counseling.
- A randomized controlled, single-observer blinded study to determine the efficacy of topical minoxidil plus microneedling versus topical minoxidil alone in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia In a 68-man trial, weekly microneedling plus 5% minoxidil beat minoxidil alone for hair count and satisfaction, though gains were not cosmetically significant.
- Pathogenesis and treatment options for chemotherapy‐induced alopecia: a systematic review A systematic review finds scalp cooling the most effective prevention for chemotherapy-induced alopecia, with 50–80% response rates.
- Therapeutic efficacy and safety of a 1927-nm fractionated thulium laser on pattern hair loss: an evaluator-blinded, split-scalp study In a 10-patient split-scalp study, 12 sessions of 1927-nm thulium laser increased hair density and thickness, more with growth-factor solution.
- Gender-specific risk factors for androgenetic alopecia in the Korean general population: Associations with medical comorbidities and general health behaviors In 2028 Koreans, androgenetic alopecia was associated with hypertension in men and with cerebrovascular disease, dyslipidemia and obesity in women.
- Genetic and molecular aspects of androgenetic alopecia A review summarizing recent genetic and molecular research on androgenetic alopecia.
- A new classification of early female pattern hair loss A new five-grade photo-based classification reliably graded and tracked early female pattern hair loss in 114 patients.
- Injection of PRP (Platelet-rich plasma) as a treatment for androgenetic alopecia : a systematic review of the literature A systematic review of 7 studies found PRP injections favorable for androgenetic alopecia, but calls for larger rigorous trials.
- Association of androgenetic alopecia with metabolic syndrome: A case–control study on 100 patients in a tertiary care hospital in South India Metabolic syndrome was found in 53% of androgenetic alopecia patients versus 17% of controls, supporting early cardiometabolic screening.
- A proprietary herbal extract against hair loss in androgenetic alopecia and telogen effluvium: a placebo-controlled, single-blind, clinical-instrumental study In a 120-subject placebo-controlled trial, a proprietary herbal shampoo and solution reduced hair loss and improved anagen/telogen ratios in androgenetic alopecia and telogen effluvium.
- Platelet-rich plasma for androgenic alopecia treatment: A comprehensive review A review covering PRP mechanisms and trial design for androgenetic alopecia, calling for standardized protocols.
- Comparison of the Treatment Outcome of Oral Tofacitinib with Other Conventional Therapies in Refractory Alopecia Totalis and Universalis: A Retrospective Study In refractory alopecia totalis/universalis, oral tofacitinib gave higher response rates and fewer adverse reactions than conventional therapies in a retrospective comparison.
- Comparative (quantitative and qualitative) analysis of three different reagents for preparation of platelet-rich plasma for hair rejuvenation For PRP hair treatment, blood collected in ACD-A vials yielded the highest platelet counts and best morphology among three reagents tested in 50 patients.
- Donor harvesting: Follicular unit excision A review traces the history and tools of follicular unit excision, concluding it is a safe but demanding, surgeon-dependent procedure when done properly.
- Mechanical and Controlled PRP Injections in Patients Affected by Androgenetic Alopecia Describes a protocol of controlled mechanical PRP injections for pattern hair loss in 23 patients.
- Minoxidil Skin Delivery from Nanoemulsion Formulations Containing Eucalyptol or Oleic Acid: Enhanced Diffusivity and Follicular Targeting In excised human skin, nanoemulsions with oleic acid or eucalyptol boosted minoxidil skin and follicle penetration.
- Automated digital image analysis (TrichoScan) in male patients with androgenetic alopecia; comparison with manual marking of hairs on trichoscopic images automated TrichoScan image analysis was compared with manual hair marking on trichoscopic images in male androgenetic alopecia.
- Understanding and Addressing Hair Disorders in Transgender Individuals A review explains how testosterone can cause male-pattern hair loss and hirsutism in trans men while estrogen reduces facial and body hair in trans women.
- Genetic analysis of interleukin 18 gene polymorphisms in alopecia areata IL-18 gene polymorphisms rs1946518 and rs187238 were associated with alopecia areata susceptibility in a Turkish case-control study.
- Temporal Layering of Signaling Effectors Drives Chromatin Remodeling during Hair Follicle Stem Cell Lineage Progression A lab study shows BMP and WNT signaling effectors drive chromatin remodeling that choreographs hair follicle stem cell lineage progression.
- Nail changes in alopecia areata: an update and review A review finds nail changes affect ~30% of alopecia areata patients, mostly pitting and trachyonychia, with little treatment evidence.
- Review of quality of life studies in women with alopecia A review surveys quality-of-life studies in women with alopecia, describing the psychological impact of hair loss.
- Differential proteomics of lesional vs. non-lesional biopsies revealed non-immune mechanisms of alopecia areata Proteomics of alopecia areata biopsies revealed mostly non-immune protein changes, suggesting new therapeutic targets.
- Emerging drugs for alopecia areata: JAK inhibitors A review finds JAK inhibitors promising for alopecia areata but with unvalidated dosing and long-term safety still unstudied.
- Nail Involvement in Alopecia Areata: A Questionnaire-based Survey on Clinical Signs, Impact on Quality of Life and Review of the Literature In a 256-patient survey, 64% of alopecia areata patients reported nail changes, mostly pitting, reflecting disease severity.
- Efficacy of topical diphenylcyclopropenone maintenance treatment for patients with alopecia areata: A retrospective study a retrospective study examined topical diphenylcyclopropenone maintenance treatment in alopecia areata.
- Hair Follicle Development in Mouse Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Skin Organoids Mouse stem cell-derived skin organoids spontaneously grew de novo hair follicles, offering a new model for studying follicle induction and testing hair drugs.
- Medical Comorbidities and the Onset of Androgenetic Alopecia: A Population-Based, Case-Control Study A population-based case-control study examined links between androgenetic alopecia onset and medical comorbidities such as metabolic syndrome and hypertension.
- Alopecia Areata is Associated with Increased Expression of Heart Disease Biomarker Cardiac Troponin I Alopecia areata patients had higher plasma cardiac troponin I levels, suggesting possible cardiovascular risk.
- Follicular Penetration of Caffeine from Topically Applied Nanoemulsion Formulations Containing Penetration Enhancers: In vitro Human Skin Studies In excised human skin, nanoemulsions greatly increased caffeine delivery through and retention in hair follicles.
- Tofacitinib (Selective Janus Kinase Inhibitor 1 and 3): A promising therapy for the treatment of alopecia areata: A case report of six patients Six patients with alopecia universalis/totalis showed significant regrowth on oral tofacitinib by 12 weeks.
- Utility of Horizontal Sections of Scalp Biopsies in Differentiating between Androgenetic Alopecia and Alopecia Areata Horizontal scalp biopsies help distinguish alopecia areata from androgenetic alopecia via peribulbar inflammation, pigment casts and lower anagen ratios.
- Estimation of zinc and iron levels in the serum and hair of women with androgenetic alopecia: Case–control study A case-control study found lower serum and hair zinc and iron in women with pattern hair loss versus controls.
- Functional redundancy of <i>Frizzled 3</i> and <i>Frizzled 6</i> in planar cell polarity control of mouse hair follicles In mice, Frizzled 3 and Frizzled 6 act redundantly to control hair follicle orientation, with double knockout causing vertically oriented follicles.
- Sericin hydrogels promote skin wound healing with effective regeneration of hair follicles and sebaceous glands after complete loss of epidermis and dermis In mice, a sericin hydrogel wound dressing promoted scarless healing with regeneration of hair follicles and sebaceous glands after full-thickness skin injury.
- Tratamiento de la alopecia areata, un recorrido desde las opciones terapéuticas clásicas hasta los nuevos fármacos aparecidos en los últimos años A Spanish-language review of alopecia areata treatments proposes an individualized therapeutic algorithm from classic options to newer drugs.
- Valproate: It's effects on hair A review describes valproate-induced hair loss as diffuse, nonscarring and dose-related, with texture changes; topical valproic acid may paradoxically promote regrowth.
- A retrospective analysis of efficacy and safety of intralesional triamcinolone injections in the treatment of frontal fibrosing alopecia either as monotherapy or as a concomitant therapy A retrospective series of 40 women found intralesional triamcinolone halted frontal fibrosing alopecia progression with only mild pain.
- Alopecia and Associated Toxic Agents: A Systematic Review A systematic review finds thallium, mercury, selenium and colchicine have the strongest evidence for causing alopecia, with weaker links for agents like botulinum toxin A.
- Does Complement Have a Role in the Pathogenesis of Alopecia Areata? A review concludes genetic evidence suggests the complement pathway may contribute to alopecia areata pathogenesis.
- Use of Minoxidil Sulfate versus Minoxidil Base in Androgenetic Alopecia Treatment: Friend or Foe? minoxidil sulfate versus minoxidil base in androgenetic alopecia treatment is discussed as friend or foe.
- Efficacy of diphenylcyclopropenone in alopecia areata: a comparison of two treatment regimens DPCP immunotherapy every 3 weeks was slightly more effective and more comfortable than weekly application in 39 alopecia areata patients.
- Eruptive vellus hair cysts in an unusual location with atypical pathological features
- Hair loss due to methylphenidate use: A case study
- “Hair building” fibers through the dermoscope