What Is the Best Treatment for Female Pattern Hair Loss?

    December 2018 in “ Evidence-Based Practice ”
    Christina L. Richards, Ruben Hipolito, Caitlin L. Blau, Madeline Mussman, Amy Matheny, Darin M. Bell
    From the encyclopedia
    Finasteride →

    Frontline, gold standard treatment for combatting androgenic alopecia

    Minoxidil →

    An essential vasodilator with some anti-androgenic effects

    Image
    Studysummary Topical minoxidil 1% and 2% are twice as effective as placebo for female pattern hair loss. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.
    A 2016 review of 47 studies found that topical minoxidil 1% and 2% were twice as effective as placebo in improving hair growth for female pattern hair loss, with no added benefit from the 5% concentration. Finasteride was not found to be more effective than placebo. The review noted that the studies were of moderate to low quality with incomplete information on randomization, blinding procedures, and outcome data.
    Discuss this study in the Community →

    Research cited in this study

    1 / 1 results