Comparative Study of Online Over-The-Counter Hair Loss Products

January 2020 in “ Journal of dermatology research and therapy ”

Alyoussef Abdullah

minoxidil miracle fruit seed oil saw palmetto extract Asian herbal complex rosemary oil caffeine biotin tocotrienol zinc androgenetic alopecia Rogaine saw palmetto

From the encyclopedia

Minoxidil →

An essential vasodilator with some anti-androgenic effects

Caffeine →

the stimulant you know and love can be used topically to stimulate hair

Biotin →

supplement to help with hair texture and quality

Studysummary This study reviews popular over-the-counter hair loss products available online but reports no new clinical results.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

In 2020, a study evaluated popular over-the-counter (OTC) hair loss products sold online. The majority of these products were natural substances, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and proteins. Minoxidil, the only FDA approved OTC hair loss drug, was primarily found on Amazon.com. The study concluded that many OTC hair loss treatments were natural products with little evidence supporting their effectiveness, yet they cost nearly as much as minoxidil. The study also examined various ingredients and their effects on hair loss and growth. For example, miracle fruit seed oil improved hair breakage, certain oils prevented hair damage, a saw palmetto extract inhibited a key factor in hair loss, an Asian herbal complex stimulated hair growth in mice, and rosemary oil was compared to minoxidil for treating androgenetic alopecia. Additionally, caffeine's effects on hair shaft elongation and hair cycle regulation were studied, biotin was reviewed for its use in hair loss, tocotrienol supplementation showed effects on hair growth, and zinc's role in hair health was discussed. The study suggested further research on these natural products.

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Research cited in this study

8 / 8 results

research Effectiveness and Safety of Low-Dose Oral Minoxidil in Male Androgenetic Alopecia

52 citations , May 2019 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This study evaluated the effectiveness and safety of low-dose oral minoxidil (2.5-5 mg daily) in men with male androgenetic alopecia, aiming to contribute data to an area with limited previous reports. Results are not provided in the abstract.

research Blackcurrant Extract with Phytoestrogen Activity Alleviates Hair Loss in Ovariectomized Rats

9 citations , April 2019 in “Molecules”

This study found that a blackcurrant extract with phytoestrogen activity increased hair number and stem cell marker expression in a menopausal rat model, suggesting a potential benefit for hair loss.

research Minoxidil for Patchy Alopecia Areata: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

20 citations , March 2019 in “Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

In this study, 5% minoxidil significantly improved outcomes for children and adults with patchy alopecia areata compared to placebo, with moderate quality evidence and no severe adverse events reported, though more research is needed to address remaining uncertainties.

research Off-Label Use of Topical Minoxidil in Alopecia: A Review

32 citations , January 2019 in “American Journal of Clinical Dermatology”

This review discusses the use of topical minoxidil for various types of alopecia and reports mixed evidence on its efficacy, with stronger support noted for conditions like eyebrow hypotrichosis and chemotherapy-induced alopecia.

research Chemotherapy-Induced Hair Loss: The Use of Biomarkers for Predicting Alopecic Severity and Treatment Efficacy

10 citations , January 2019 in “Biomarker Insights”

This article explores the potential of combining biomarkers to assess and improve treatments for chemotherapy-induced alopecia, highlighting the limited availability of data on hair follicle damage markers with and without scalp cooling.

research Over-The-Counter Hair Loss Treatments: Help Or Hype?

3 citations , December 2018 in “PubMed”

This study provides an overview of popular over-the-counter hair loss products, highlighting limited evidence for non-approved treatments and suggesting the need for more rigorous studies.

research Effect of Miracle Fruit (Synsepalum Dulcificum) Seed Oil on the Measurable Improvement of Hair Breakage in Women with Damaged Hair: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Eight-Month Trial

4 citations , November 2017 in “PubMed”

This study found that Synsepalum dulcificum seed oil hair treatment significantly reduced hair breakage and improved hair health indices in women, outperforming both placebo and argan oil treatments.

research Determination of the Potency of a Novel Saw Palmetto Supercritical CO2 Extract for 5α-Reductase Isoform II Inhibition Using a Cell-Free In Vitro Test System

3 citations , April 2016 in “Research and reports in urology”

In a cell-free test setting, this study found that a novel saw palmetto extract effectively inhibited the 5α-reductase type II enzyme, showing promising bioactivity comparable to finasteride for promoting prostate health.