September 202128
Oral minoxidil 0.25 mg in women matched 2% topical minoxidil for density and diameter gains, while the multi-product regimen ALRV5XR increased terminal hair density versus placebo in men. Low-level laser therapy was reported positive across seven RCTs, and botulinum toxin injections gave 75–79% response rates, though evidence quality was weak. A vitamin D review found deficiency associated with several alopecias but insufficient evidence for supplementation. In lab work, polymeric nanoparticles delivered spironolactone to follicles fivefold better than solution, and the baldness risk variant was shown to weaken EBF1 activation of WNT10A. Beyond pattern loss, minoxidil in breast cancer survivors improved density in persistent chemotherapy-induced alopecia.
- A randomized clinical trial on therapeutic effects of 0.25 mg oral minoxidil tablets on treatment of female pattern hair loss In a 72-woman RCT, oral minoxidil 0.25 mg daily matched 2% topical minoxidil for hair density and diameter gains, with trivial side effects.
- Safety and efficacy of ALRV5XR in men with androgenetic alopecia: A randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial In a 46-man RCT, multi-product regimen ALRV5XR increased terminal hair density 21 hairs/cm² versus placebo over 24 weeks, with all treated subjects responding.
- Clinicopathologic Characteristics and Response to Treatment of Persistent Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia in Breast Cancer Survivors In 100 breast cancer survivors with persistent chemo-induced alopecia, topical or oral minoxidil improved hair density, suggesting partial reversibility.
- Role of vitamin D in hair loss: A short review A review found low vitamin D is associated with several alopecias, but evidence is insufficient to recommend supplementation as treatment.
- The Effectiveness of Low-Level Light/Laser Therapy on Hair Loss A review of 7 RCTs found all reported positive effects of low-level laser therapy for male and female pattern hair loss without side effects.
- Evidence for a functional interaction of WNT10A and EBF1 in male-pattern baldness A lab study shows the transcription factor EBF1 activates WNT10A, and the male-pattern baldness risk variant weakens this, likely shortening the anagen growth phase.
- Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ signalling protects hair follicle stem cells from chemotherapy-induced apoptosis and epithelial–mesenchymal transition In human scalp follicles ex vivo, a PPAR-gamma modulator protected hair follicle stem cells from chemotherapy-induced damage, suggesting a strategy to prevent permanent chemotherapy hair loss.
- Use of Botulinum Toxin for Androgenic Alopecia: A Systematic Review A systematic review of 5 studies found botulinum toxin injections gave 75-79% response rates in male AGA, but evidence quality is weak.
- Follicular-targeted delivery of spironolactone provided by polymeric nanoparticles In lab tests, 180-nm polymeric nanoparticles delivered spironolactone to hair follicles five times better than standard solution, a possible topical alopecia formulation.
- Discovery of a transdermally deliverable pentapeptide for activating AdipoR1 to promote hair growth Lab and mouse studies identified a skin-penetrating pentapeptide (P5) that activates AdipoR1 and promotes hair growth, a potential topical drug.
- Evaluation of several immune and inflammatory indicators and their association with alopecia areata In 672 alopecia areata patients, thyroid markers, antinuclear antibodies, low vitamin D, and elevated CRP were more common than in healthy controls.
- Retrograde Androgenetic Alopecia discusses retrograde androgenetic alopecia.
- Hair Growth-Promoting Mechanisms of Red Ginseng Extract through Stimulating Dermal Papilla Cell Proliferation and Enhancing Skin Health In mice and cultured cells, red ginseng extract stimulated dermal papilla cells and prolonged anagen hair growth.
- The place of B‐mode ultrasonography, shear‐wave elastography, and superb microvascular imaging in the pre‐diagnosis of androgenetic alopecia In 52 subjects, ultrasound and elastography measurements distinguished AGA patients from controls before visible hair loss.
- Literature Review on Korean Medicine Treatment for Alopecia A review of 22 Korean studies found herbal medicine and acupuncture reportedly improved alopecia, but evidence quality was low.
- Dexpanthenol Promotes Cell Growth by Preventing Cell Senescence and Apoptosis in Cultured Human Hair Follicle Cells In cultured human hair follicle cells, dexpanthenol (vitamin B5 precursor) boosted cell growth and anagen markers while suppressing aging and death markers.
- Perifollicular inflammation and follicular spongiosis in androgenetic alopecia examines perifollicular inflammation and follicular spongiosis in androgenetic alopecia.
- A narrative review of therapies for scalp dermatomyositis A review of scalp dermatomyositis treatments finds most standard therapies help little; low-dose naltrexone, PRP, IVIG, rituximab, and apremilast showed promise in low-quality evidence.
- Low-level laser treatment promotes skin wound healing by activating hair follicle stem cells in female mice In mice, low-dose low-level laser sped wound healing by activating hair follicle stem cells via the cytokine IL34.
- Determination of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in patients with alopecia areata and their comparison with levels in healthy controls: A cross-sectional study In 29 Philippine patients, vitamin D deficiency trended higher in alopecia areata than controls but was not statistically significant.
- Valproate‐associated hair abnormalities: Pathophysiology and management strategies A review of valproate-associated hair loss finds it common and benign, managed with reassurance, dose reduction, and supplements; some options lack evidence.
- An anti‐hair loss treatment in the management of mild androgenetic alopecia: results from a large, international observational study In a 527-person open-label study, cosmetic lotion AC5 reduced reported hair loss in 89% of users after 3 months.
- ACKR2 limits skin fibrosis and hair loss through IFN‐β In mice, the receptor ACKR2 limited skin fibrosis and hair loss via IFN-beta, and IFN-beta treatment partly rescued the damage.
- Transcriptome Analysis Reveals an Inhibitory Effect of Dihydrotestosterone-Treated 2D- and 3D-Cultured Dermal Papilla Cells on Hair Follicle Growth In cultured dermal papilla cells, DHT suppressed growth signals and increased cell-death markers, clarifying androgen-induced alopecia mechanisms.
- Association between angiotensin‐converting enzyme gene insertion deletion polymorphism and androgenetic alopecia susceptibility among Egyptian patients: A preliminary case‐controlled study In 100 Egyptian patients, the ACE D allele was linked to higher androgenetic alopecia susceptibility.
- Novel Application of Light-Emitting Diode Therapy in the Treatment of Eyebrow Loss in Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia In 16 women with frontal fibrosing alopecia, weekly LED light therapy for 10 weeks significantly increased eyebrow hair counts, sustained at 6 months.
- Prevalence and Risk Factors Associated with the Occurrence of Autoimmune Diseases in Patients with Alopecia Areata Among 615 alopecia areata patients, 12.4% had another autoimmune disease; female sex, nail abnormalities, and atopy raised the risk.
- Variation of Hair Follicle Counts among Different Scalp Areas: A Quantitative Histopathological Study Cadaver scalp biopsies show hair counts vary by region, with the temporoparietal area lowest, suggesting region-specific reference values for alopecia diagnosis.