Botulinum Toxin Therapy for Androgenetic Alopecia: From Mechanistic Insights to Clinical Applications

    September 2025 in “ Chinese Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery ”
    B U.K. Li, Changjiang Zhao, Ran Luo … Yufei Li
    Studysummary This review reports that while botulinum toxin shows potential mechanisms for treating androgenetic alopecia, recent high-quality trials found no significant hair density improvement compared to placebo, indicating it can't yet replace traditional treatments.
    Automatically generated from the study's abstract, not written by a person, and not a review of the full paper. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Read the original study, and consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer
    Read the full study on sciencedirect.com →
    Discuss this study in the Community →

    Research cited in this study 22

    1. Botulinum Toxin in the Treatment of Hair and Scalp Disorders: Current Evidence and Clinical Applications Toxins · 2025
    2. Response to Ong et al., 'Hair-Raising Costs: Evaluating Botulinum Toxin Treatment for Androgenetic Alopecia' Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology · 2024
    3. Assessing the Efficacy and Quality of Life Improvements of Botulinum Toxin Type A with Topical Minoxidil Versus Topical Minoxidil in Male Androgenetic Alopecia: A Randomized Controlled Trial Archives of Dermatological Research · 2024
    4. Efficacy of Botulinum Toxin in Male Androgenetic Alopecia: A Triple-Blind, Randomized Clinical Trial Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology · 2024
    5. Efficacy of Type A Botulinum Toxin Treatment for Androgenetic Alopecia Using Ultrasound Combined with Trichoscopy Skin Research and Technology · 2024
    6. Intradermal Injection in Balding Region Versus Intramuscular Injection in Surrounding Muscles: A Split-Scalp, Randomized Trial on Botulinum Toxin for Androgenetic Alopecia Dermatology and therapy · 2024
    7. Management of Androgenic Alopecia: A Systematic Review of the Literature Journal of cosmetic and laser therapy · 2024
    8. Efficacy and Safety of Botulinum Toxin A in the Treatment of Female Pattern Hair Loss Skin research and technology · 2024
    9. Botulinum Toxin Type A Alleviates Androgenetic Alopecia by Inhibiting Apoptosis of Dermal Papilla Cells via Targeting Circ_0135062/Mir-506-3p/Bax Axis Aesthetic Plastic Surgery · 2024
    10. Hair-To-Hair Trichoscopy: An Objective Method To Assess Effectiveness Of Botulinum Toxin In A Clinical Trial For Androgenetic Alopecia Skin appendage disorders · 2023
    11. Androgenetic Alopecia: Therapy Update Drugs · 2023
    12. Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia: Current Guidance and Unmet Needs Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology · 2023
    13. Comparison of Oral Minoxidil, Finasteride, and Dutasteride for Treating Androgenetic Alopecia Journal of Dermatological Treatment · 2022
    14. A Study of Combination Unilateral Subcutaneous Botulinum Toxin A Treatment for Androgenetic Alopecia Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology · 2022
    15. Efficacy of Botulinum Toxin A Injection in the Treatment of Androgenic Alopecia: A Comparative Controlled Study Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology · 2022
    16. Use of Botulinum Toxin for Androgenic Alopecia: A Systematic Review Skin appendage disorders · 2021
    17. Reply to: The Effect of Intradermal Botulinum Toxin on Androgenetic Alopecia and Its Possible Mechanism Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology · 2020
    18. The Effect of Intradermal Botulinum Toxin on Androgenetic Alopecia and Its Possible Mechanism Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology · 2020
    19. Effectiveness and Safety of Botulinum Toxin Type A in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia BioMed Research International · 2020
    20. A Small Dose of Botulinum Toxin A Is Effective for Treating Androgenetic Alopecia in Chinese Patients Dermatologic Therapy · 2018
    21. The Effectiveness of Treatments for Androgenetic Alopecia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology · 2017
    22. Androgen Receptor Transactivity Is Potentiated by TGF-β1 Through Smad3 but Checked by Its Coactivator Hic-5/ARA55 in Balding Dermal Papilla Cells Journal of Dermatological Science · 2011