August 202352
Minoxidil plus spironolactone in women was reported to outperform minoxidil plus finasteride at four months. Botulinum toxin A injections were found to improve dermoscopic grading and vellus density, with the higher concentration performing better. Two meta-analyses found PRP increased hair density, more strongly in men, and PRP raised density versus placebo. Oral persimmon leaf complex BLH308 was reported to increase hair density and thickness versus placebo. Oral spironolactone in women improved hair loss in over half, with scalp pruritus and menstrual disorders the common adverse events and notable heterogeneity. Erbium YAG laser plus minoxidil gave slightly better dermoscopy scores than minoxidil alone. Topical cetirizine 1% improved female pattern hair loss but was inferior to minoxidil 2%. Stem-cell conditioned media plus minoxidil showed no benefit over minoxidil alone. A skin-responsive FUE device achieved low graft transection rates in patients of African descent.
- The efficacy of the combination of topical minoxidil and oral spironolactone compared with the combination of topical minoxidil and oral finasteride in women with androgenic alopecia, female and male hair loss patterns: A blinded randomized clinical trial In 60 women with AGA, minoxidil plus spironolactone outperformed minoxidil plus finasteride at 4 months, with no serious adverse effects.
- Assessment of efficacy of different botulinum toxin A concentrations in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia assessed by dermoscopy A 32-patient trial found botulinum toxin A injections improved AGA grading and vellus hair density, with the higher concentration performing better.
- Effectiveness of Platelet-Rich Plasma in the Treatment of Androgenic Alopecia: A Meta-Analysis A meta-analysis of 10 trials found PRP increased hair density but not diameter in AGA, with stronger effects in men.
- Efficacy and safety of persimmon leaf formulated with green tea and sophora fruit extracts (BLH308) on hair growth: A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled clinical trial An 88-person RCT found oral persimmon leaf complex BLH308 increased hair density and thickness versus placebo over 24 weeks.
- JAAD Game Changers: Safety of low-dose oral minoxidil for hair loss: A multicenter study of 1404 patients a multicenter study of 1404 patients addresses the safety of low-dose oral minoxidil for hair loss.
- The Efficacy and Safety of Oral Spironolactone in the Treatment of Female Pattern Hair Loss: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis A meta-analysis found oral spironolactone improved hair loss in 56.6% of women (65.8% with combination therapy); common adverse events were scalp pruritus (18.9%) and menstrual disorders (11.9%), with notable heterogeneity.
- Topical 5% minoxidil versus combined erbium YAG laser and topical 5% minoxidil in androgenetic alopecia: A randomized controlled trial A 30-man RCT found combining erbium YAG laser with 5% minoxidil gave slightly better dermoscopy scores than minoxidil alone.
- Therapeutic effects of topical cetirizine in the treatment of female pattern hair loss: a randomized controlled noninferiority trial In a 60-woman trial, topical cetirizine 1% improved female pattern hair loss but was inferior to minoxidil 2% for hair density.
- Platelet-Rich Plasma for Androgenetic Alopecia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials A meta-analysis of nine RCTs found PRP significantly increases hair density versus placebo in androgenetic alopecia, with no serious adverse reactions.
- Follicular Unit Excision in Patients of African Descent: A Skin-Responsive Technique A skin-responsive FUE device achieved mean graft transection rates of 3–6% in 64 patients of African descent, including tightly curled hair.
- Medical and procedural treatment of androgenetic alopecia – Where are we? A review covers new AGA options including low-dose oral minoxidil, spironolactone, photobiomodulation, PRP, and robotic transplantation.
- <i>Gynostemma pentaphyllum</i> Makino extract induces hair growth and exhibits an anti‐graying effect via multiple mechanisms Gynostemma pentaphyllum extract enlarged hair follicles in mice and boosted melanin in stressed melanocytes via Wnt and tyrosinase pathways.
- Collagen Hydrolysate from the Scales of Mozambique Tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) Improve Hair and Skin Health by Alleviating Oxidative Stress and Inflammation and Promoting Hair Growth and Extracellular Matrix Factors Oral tilapia collagen hydrolysate improved hair growth, density and shine in mice, raising IGF-1 and VEGF and lowering inflammatory cytokines.
- Minoxidil sulfotransferase enzymatical activity in plants: A novel paradigm in increasing minoxidil response in androgenetic alopecia A lab study found seven of ten botanical extracts contain minoxidil-activating sulfotransferase activity, a possible route to improve minoxidil response.
- Cell-free fat extract restores hair loss: a novel therapeutic strategy for androgenetic alopecia In AGA-model mice, cell-free fat extract increased hair growth and follicle density by reducing DHT signaling and boosting angiogenesis.
- Alopecia Areata: Current Treatments and New Directions A review covers current alopecia areata treatments and new targeted drugs, highlighting recently approved JAK inhibitors baricitinib and ritlecitinib for severe cases.
- Combination of adipose-derived stem cell conditioned media and minoxidil for hair regrowth in male androgenetic alopecia: a randomized, double-blind clinical trial In a small split-scalp trial, adding stem-cell conditioned media injections to minoxidil improved hair measures but no more than minoxidil alone.
- Psychosocial impact of androgenetic alopecia on men: A systematic review and meta-analysis A meta-analysis found AGA has limited mental-health impact in men, with no effect on depression and moderate quality-of-life impact.
- Investigation of oral finasteride enhanced occipital hair diameter index in different types of male androgenetic alopecia a study finds oral finasteride increases occipital hair diameter index across different male androgenetic alopecia types.
- Dermoscopy-assisted prevalence of hair loss after COVID-19 vaccination among an Egyptian population: a cross-sectional study In 2000 vaccinated Egyptians, 23.9% reported trichoscopy-confirmed hair loss, mostly within two months; the authors caution stress and infection cannot be excluded.
- Clinical Outcomes for Uptitration of Baricitinib Therapy in Patients With Severe Alopecia Areata In pooled BRAVE-AA trials, uptitrating baricitinib nonresponders from 2 mg to 4 mg led 25.9% to reach near-complete scalp regrowth by week 76.
- Systematic review of mesotherapy: a novel avenue for the treatment of hair loss A systematic review of 27 studies found mesotherapy with six agent classes may improve hair growth, but regimens lack standardization and adverse effects occur.
- Novel Effect of Hyaluronan and Proteoglycan Link Protein 1 (HAPLN1) on Hair Follicle Cells Proliferation and Hair Growth Recombinant HAPLN1 promoted human hair-matrix cell proliferation and accelerated anagen entry in mice via TGF-β2–ERK1/2 signaling.
- Cedrol-loaded dissolvable microneedles based on flexible backing for promoting hair growth Cedrol-loaded dissolvable microneedles delivered drug to the deep dermis and promoted hair growth in mice.
- Botulinum Toxin for Scalp Conditions: A Systematic Review A systematic review of 24 studies found botulinum toxin data strongest for androgenetic alopecia, hyperhidrosis, and seborrhea, but evidence quality is variable.
- Serum uric acid level in male patients with androgenetic alopecia: A prospective study in China A Chinese prospective study found men with AGA had higher uric acid, which finasteride lowered after six months.
- Differences in Demographic and Clinical Characteristics Among Subtypes of Female Pattern Hair Loss Among 519 women with FPHL, the Hamilton-Norwood subtype predicted early onset and PCOS, while Ludwig and Olsen subtypes linked to type 2 diabetes.
- Janus kinase inhibitors for alopecia areata A review finds JAK inhibitors have made moderate-to-severe alopecia areata treatable, summarizing phase 3 data, safety and patient selection.
- Wound-Induced Hair Follicle Neogenesis as a Promising Approach for Hair Regeneration A review maps the cells and pathways behind wound-induced hair follicle neogenesis, a possible route to hair regeneration.
- Real-World Treatment Patterns among Patients with Alopecia Areata in the USA: A Retrospective Claims Analysis A US claims analysis of 8,298 alopecia areata patients found corticosteroids dominate treatment and treatment coverage is low, highlighting unmet need.
- Recent omics advances in hair aging biology and hair biomarkers analysis A review summarizes omics findings on hair aging and graying biomarkers and declining follicle stem-cell activity.
- Inheritance-Specific Dysregulation of Th1- and Th17-Associated Cytokines in Alopecia Areata Blood tests show Th1/Th17 cytokines are elevated in alopecia areata patients and their healthy relatives, suggesting inherited immune dysregulation.
- Online psychological support for patients with alopecia areata: an evaluation of available online psychological support material based on the National Centre for Complementary and Integrated Health guidelines An evaluation rated Alopecia UK, NAAF and Health Talk as the highest-quality online psychological support resources for alopecia areata.
- Two‐dimensional planimetry for alopecia areata severity evaluation compared with severity of alopecia tool: A pilot study A pilot study found photographic SALT scoring correlated better with planimetric area than in-clinic scoring, proposing cutoff values.
- Hair Follicle Transit-Amplifying Cells Phagocytose Dead Cells after Radiotherapeutic and Chemotherapeutic Injuries for Timely Regeneration In mice, hair-follicle transit-amplifying cells clear dead cells by phagocytosis after chemo or radiation, enabling regeneration.
- Safety and tolerability of low dose oral minoxidil monotherapy in female pattern hair loss: A retrospective review with longitudinal ambulatory blood pressure monitoring A retrospective review evaluates cardiovascular safety of low-dose oral minoxidil monotherapy in women with female pattern hair loss.
- Review of Human Hair Follicle Biology: Dynamics of Niches and Stem Cell Regulation for Possible Therapeutic Hair Stimulation for Plastic Surgeons a review covers hair follicle niche and stem-cell dynamics for possible therapeutic hair stimulation.
- Hdac1 and Hdac2 regulate the quiescent state and survival of hair-follicle mesenchymal niche In mice, Hdac1 and Hdac2 keep dermal papilla cells quiescent and alive and fine-tune Wnt signaling to pace the hair cycle.
- Diagnosis and Management of Alopecia Areata: A Saudi Expert Consensus Statement (2023) Saudi experts issued consensus recommendations on diagnosing and managing alopecia areata, including pediatric and atypical cases.
- A Retrospective Review of Anthralin in Petrolatum in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata in the Pediatric Population In 11 children with alopecia areata, topical anthralin gave over 75% regrowth in most, with 0.2% best tolerated over six months.
- The effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for social anxiety symptoms in people living with alopecia areata: a single-group case-series design In a five-person case series, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy reduced social anxiety in alopecia areata patients, possibly depending on home practice.
- Treatment of androgenetic alopecia by exosomes secreted from hair papilla cells and the intervention effect of LTF In AGA-model mice, exosomes from LTF-treated dermal papilla cells restored hair growth via PI3K/AKT signaling, comparable to minoxidil.
- IL-15 Prolongs Anagen, Stimulates Proliferation, and Suppresses Apoptosis in the Hair Matrix of Human Scalp Hair Follicles In cultured human scalp follicles, IL-15 prolongs anagen, stimulates hair-matrix proliferation and suppresses apoptosis.
- Long non-coding RNA AL136131.3 inhibits hair growth through mediating PPARγ in androgenetic alopecia a long non-coding RNA inhibits hair growth via PPARγ in androgenetic alopecia.
- Alopecia – New building blocks A CME article reviews how to distinguish and manage the diverse types of hair loss.
- Approach to the patient with hair loss A CME review outlines a stepwise clinical approach to diagnosing the type of hair loss before tailoring treatment.
- Treatment modalities for lymphocytic and neutrophilic scarring alopecia A review outlines treatments for lymphocytic and neutrophilic scarring alopecias, stressing early intervention.
- Effective counseling of patients with hair loss A review offers guidance on counseling hair-loss patients, stressing communication, cultural factors and expectation management.
- The dermatoscope in the hair clinic: Trichoscopy of scarring and nonscarring alopecia A review covers current knowledge of trichoscopic features of common scarring and nonscarring alopecias.
- Age‐related changes in scalp biophysical parameters: A comparative analysis of the 20s and 50s age groups Comparing 200 people in their 20s and 50s, older participants had lower sebum, pH and hair density and higher AGE accumulation.
- New Target for Minoxidil in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia Network pharmacology and cell assays suggest minoxidil also acts on CYP17A1 and aromatase, lowering DHT and raising estradiol.
- Serum Ferritin Levels: A Clinical Guide in Patients With Hair Loss A review explains serum ferritin can help rule out iron deficiency in diffuse hair loss, though its role in hair disorders remains unclear.