Bald Scalps and Wrinkles: Concerns About Minoxidil and Tretinoin Treatments
January 1989
in “
Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology
”
TLDR The conclusion is that proper communication about the realistic effects of hair loss and skin aging treatments can improve dermatologists' credibility.
The document discusses concerns regarding the effectiveness and public perception of minoxidil and tretinoin treatments for androgenic alopecia (hair loss) and aging skin, respectively. The author, Dr. Joseph L. Jorizzo, expresses skepticism about the high incidence of hair growth in the control group of minoxidil studies and the difficulty of conducting a truly double-blind study with tretinoin due to its distinctive skin dryness and irritation. Dr. Jorizzo worries that the media hype surrounding these treatments has raised public expectations too high, potentially leading to disappointment and damaging the credibility of dermatologists. In a reply, Dr. Elise A. Olsen acknowledges the limitations of the study designs but defends the validity of the results, emphasizing the importance of dermatologists educating the public about the realistic benefits and limitations of these treatments. Dr. Olsen believes that with proper communication, the image of dermatology will be enhanced rather than tarnished.
