A pilot split-scalp study of combined fractional radiofrequency microneedling and 5% topical minoxidil in treating male pattern hair loss
October 2018
in “Clinical and Experimental Dermatology”
TLDR Combined microneedling and minoxidil improves hair growth more than minoxidil alone.
This study evaluated the effectiveness and safety of combining fractional radiofrequency microneedling (FRM) and 5% topical minoxidil in treating male pattern hair loss (MPHL). The study involved 19 Chinese men who received monotherapy with 5% topical minoxidil twice daily to one half of the scalp, while on the other half of the scalp, the treatment with twice-daily 5% topical minoxidil was combined with five sessions of FRM at 4-week intervals. After 5 months of treatment, the combined-therapy side had a higher degree of improvement in both hair count and hair thickness compared to the monotherapy side. The study concluded that combined treatment with fractional radiofrequency microneedle and 5% topical minoxidil could be an effective and safe treatment option for male pattern hair loss.
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