December 2024 in “Skin Appendage Disorders” Researchers reviewed 13 clinical trials on non-prescription monotherapies like procyanidin and cetirizine for androgenetic alopecia, finding potential improvements in hair density and diameter, but emphasized the need for more robust trials to confirm efficacy and safety.
November 2024 in “Clinical Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology” This review discusses various herbal alternatives, including rosemary oil and others, for managing androgenetic alopecia but reports that more research is needed to confirm the efficacy of these natural remedies.
September 2023 in “Baylor University Medical Center Proceedings” This study reviewed the effectiveness of natural treatments like pumpkin seed oil and rosemary oil for androgenetic alopecia and found them potentially effective with minimal side effects compared to standard treatments like minoxidil. However, more research is needed to confirm their efficacy.
May 2023 in “Journal of Applied Cosmetology” In this randomized controlled trial, researchers found that participants with androgenic alopecia taking an Annurca apple extract supplement showed significant increases in hair density and weight and reduced hair loss compared to a placebo, with good skin and gastrointestinal tolerability over 180 days.
4 citations
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February 2022 in “International Journal of Cosmetic Science” This study found that watercress extract may help treat hair loss by increasing RSPO1 secretion and decreasing DKK1 secretion, improving hair thickness and density in clinical trials.
2 citations
,
January 2022 in “Dermatologic Therapy” Natural products like saw palmetto, caffeine, melatonin, marine extracts, rosemary oil, procyanidin, pumpkin seed oil, and cannabidiol oil could potentially treat male hair loss.
2 citations
,
January 2022 in “Springer eBooks” 
16 citations
,
June 2021 in “Journal of Dermatological Treatment” This study reported that while topical minoxidil exhibits hair regrowth in androgenetic alopecia, oral minoxidil 5 mg/day was more effective than topical forms after six months, with low doses also potentially effective for women and other hair loss types.
1 citations
,
March 2021 in “Current Dermatology Reports” This review highlights various alternative and complementary treatments for androgenic alopecia, noting that while only two FDA-approved options exist, increased awareness among dermatologists of supportive evidence for other therapies may better inform patient education.
26 citations
,
December 2019 in “Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology” This study found that platelet-rich plasma combined with topical minoxidil was more effective in increasing hair density for male-type baldness than either treatment alone.
4 citations
,
May 2019 in “PubMed” This study reported that the expression of sulfotransferase enzymes in hair follicles remained stable during treatment with topical minoxidil, indicating consistent metabolic activity throughout the treatment period.
1 citations
,
April 2017 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” This study found that a novel 15% topical minoxidil solution achieved a clinically significant hair regrowth response in 60% of women with female pattern hair loss who did not respond to 5% minoxidil, without increasing adverse events.
9 citations
,
January 2017 in “International Journal of Trichology” This review discusses various classification systems for male-pattern hair loss, comparing their detail, practicality, and reproducibility, and reports no new clinical outcomes.
25 citations
,
August 2016 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology” This study found that a marine complex supplement significantly reduced hair shedding and increased hair growth in men with thinning hair over 180 days.
1 citations
,
July 2016 in “PubMed” This study found that 5% minoxidil topical foam used once daily for 24 weeks was well tolerated and significantly improved hair regrowth and scalp coverage in women with female pattern hair loss compared to vehicle foam.
18 citations
,
May 2015 in “Australasian Journal of Dermatology” This study found that topical application of Serenoa repens extract increased hair count in men with androgenetic alopecia, suggesting it could be an alternative for those unable to use standard medications.
10 citations
,
April 2015 in “PubMed” This study found that rosemary oil and minoxidil 2% both increased hair count equally in patients with androgenetic alopecia after 6 months, with more scalp itching seen in the minoxidil group.
43 citations
,
August 2014 in “Dermatologic Therapy” This study confirmed that a sulfotransferase enzyme test can effectively rule out 95.9% of nonresponders to 5% topical minoxidil for treating androgenetic alopecia.
20 citations
,
April 2014 in “Dermatologic Therapy” This study reported that sulfotransferase activity in plucked hair follicles can predict treatment response to 5% topical minoxidil in women with androgenetic alopecia with high sensitivity and specificity.
24 citations
,
April 2014 in “Oncotarget” This study found that minoxidil suppressed androgen receptor functions and stability, suggesting its potential use in treating diseases related to the androgen-AR pathway.
24 citations
,
May 2013 in “Drug Design Development and Therapy” This pilot study found that a multimodal minoxidil microemulsion with diclofenac and tea tree oil was more effective and safer than minoxidil alone for treating androgenic alopecia over 32 weeks.
39 citations
,
January 2012 in “International Journal of Trichology” This study found that topical melatonin solution was associated with positive effects on hair density and reduction in hair loss for androgenetic alopecia, with good tolerability reported in several clinical trials.
28 citations
,
December 2005 in “Journal of cosmetic dermatology” This study found that 0.7% apple procyanidin oligomers applied externally for six months significantly increased hair growth in men with male pattern baldness compared to placebo, with no observed adverse effects.
349 citations
,
January 2005 in “The FASEB journal” This review discusses the cutaneous serotoninergic/melatoninergic system's potential role in skin function and resilience against environmental and internal stresses, but does not report new experimental findings.
12 citations
,
January 2005 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology” This review discusses the natural progression of androgenetic alopecia and potential factors influencing its long-term prognosis, reporting no new clinical results.
226 citations
,
September 2001 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Hair loss in women is genetic, diagnosed by examination and biopsy, and treated with minoxidil, finasteride, or transplantation.
92 citations
,
January 1998 in “Dermatology” This study found that 2% ketoconazole shampoo improved hair density and anagen follicle proportion in androgenic alopecia similarly to minoxidil treatment, suggesting a potential role for Malassezia in inflammation.
82 citations
,
March 1992 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” 
31 citations
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January 1989 in “Clinical and Experimental Dermatology” In this study, topical 2% minoxidil did not significantly improve hair density measures in men with male pattern baldness, although there was no deterioration, suggesting a potential prophylactic effect.
23 citations
,
July 1988 in “International Journal of Dermatology” This study found that 2% minoxidil solution was about three times more effective than a placebo in improving hair growth in men with early male pattern alopecia over 24 weeks.
17 citations
,
July 1988 in “International Journal of Dermatology” In this study, 2% minoxidil solution was found to be a safe and more effective treatment for early male pattern baldness compared to placebo.
11 citations
,
July 1988 in “International Journal of Dermatology” In this study, topically applied 2% minoxidil solution was found to be more effective than placebo for promoting hair regrowth in men with early male pattern baldness over 24 weeks.
26 citations
,
January 1987 in “Dermatology” This study reported that topical 2% minoxidil solution improved hair growth compared to placebo in men with early male-pattern baldness over 24 weeks, with no significant safety issues observed.
58 citations
,
July 1986 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Lowest effective minoxidil concentration is 1%, but 2% works better for male pattern baldness.
95 citations
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December 1980 in “The New England Journal of Medicine” Minoxidil helped bald patient regrow hair.
666 citations
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September 1977 in “British Journal of Dermatology” This article presents a classification system for stages of female-pattern androgenetic alopecia to aid early diagnosis and mentions existing systems for rare male-pattern cases, but reports no new clinical results.
