TLDR Pumpkin seed oil may help hair growth, but more research needed on frontal hair loss and long-term effects.
This document is a letter to the editor commenting on a study that investigated the effect of pumpkin seed oil (PSO) on hair growth in men with androgenetic alopecia (AA). The author of the letter points out that the study did not report data related to the effect of PSO on frontal AA, which is important to discuss because it can be reasonably treated if treatment is availed during the early stage of progression. The author suggests that future studies should include data on the effect of PSO on frontal AA and should have an appropriate duration of at least 1 year to account for seasonal variation in hormonal levels in males. The author looks forward to clinical research ascertaining the effect of PSO on frontal AA and variability in its results during long-term usage.
36 citations
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January 2014 in “Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine” Pumpkin seed oil helps hair growth in men with hair loss.
51 citations
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October 2012 in “International Journal of Immunopathology and Pharmacology” Finasteride works better than Serenoa repens for male hair loss.
11 citations
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January 2010 in “Springer eBooks” 28 citations
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January 2009 in “Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery” Serenoa repens is not proven effective for hair loss and may delay prostate cancer detection.
17 citations
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December 2004 in “The Journal of Men's Health & Gender” Male pattern baldness involves hormone-related hair thinning, shorter hair, and inflammation.
72 citations
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January 2001 in “Drugs” Minoxidil and finasteride treat hair loss; more research needed for other options.
February 2024 in “Biomedicines” Hormones like androgens, estrogen, thyroid hormones, and stress hormones can contribute to hair loss, and treatments target these hormonal imbalances.
March 2025 in “Cosmetics” Combining treatments works best for early hair loss, while transplants are best for severe cases.
December 2025 in “IP Indian Journal of Clinical and Experimental Dermatology” 
July 2025 in “American Journal of Clinical Dermatology” Alopecia treatments like 5α-reductase inhibitors and spironolactone are safe for breast cancer patients and high-risk women.
Different genes cause Female Pattern Hair Loss compared to male hair loss, and treatments vary, but more research is needed to understand it fully.
