Comparative Effect of Conventional and Non-Conventional Over-the-Counter Treatments for Male Androgenetic Alopecia: A Network Meta-Analysis Study

This network meta-analysis study compared the efficacy of conventional and non-conventional over-the-counter treatments for male androgenetic alopecia (AGA) by analyzing 15 trials with nine active comparators. The study found that topical minoxidil 5% applied twice daily was the most effective treatment for increasing hair density over 24 weeks, outperforming other treatments like melatonin, rosemary, and saw palmetto. While melatonin showed promise as an adjunctive treatment due to its moderate efficacy and favorable safety profile, the study noted a limitation in not assessing SULT1A1 activity, which influences minoxidil's effectiveness. The study suggests future research should include SULT1A1 testing and further exploration of non-conventional treatments.