Placebo-Controlled Dose-Effect Studies with Topical Minoxidil 2% or 5% in Male-Patterned Hair Loss Treated with Oral Finasteride Employing an Analytical and Exhaustive Study Protocol

January 2020 in “ Skin Research and Technology ”

D. Van Neste

minoxidil finasteride male-patterned hair loss anagen phase ANOVA Dunnett's test Rogaine Propecia MPHL

TLDR Minoxidil 5% works better than 2% for hair growth in male-patterned hair loss.

This document summarizes a study that investigated the effects of topical minoxidil 2% or 5% in male-patterned hair loss (MPHL) treated with oral finasteride. The study involved 22 MPHL volunteers who completed phase A and 14 who completed phase B. The compliance with drug intake and application of topical lotions was measured and rated excellent. The study found that the use of minoxidil 5% was more effective than minoxidil 2% in promoting hair growth in MPHL patients. The study also found that the duration of anagen phases was shortened when thinner hair categories were included. The study used ANOVA and Dunnett's test to evaluate statistical significance.

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research Maintenance of Optimized Hair Growth from Viable Terminal Scalp Hair Follicles at Baseline with Oral Finasteride in Male Pattern Hair Loss and First Evidence of a Drug Dependency and a Post-Finasteride Rebound Effect

4 citations , September 2019 in “Skin Research and Technology”

Finasteride helps hair growth but stopping it causes faster hair loss.

research Viable Terminal Scalp Hair Follicles Are Necessary and Sufficient for Clinical Efficacy of Finasteride in Male Pattern Hair Loss

6 citations , June 2019 in “Skin Research and Technology”

Finasteride works for hair loss by maintaining existing hair follicles, not reversing miniaturization.

research A Bald Statement: Current Approaches to Manipulate Miniaturization Focus Only on Promoting Hair Growth

30 citations , June 2018 in “Experimental Dermatology”

The conclusion is that future hair loss treatments should target the root causes of hair thinning, not just promote hair growth.

research Evidence-Based Guideline for the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia in Women and Men – Short Version

145 citations , January 2018 in “Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

Use minoxidil for hair loss treatment; assess results after 6 months.

research Combined Treatment with Oral Finasteride and Topical Minoxidil in Male Androgenetic Alopecia: A Randomized and Comparative Study in Chinese Patients

32 citations , September 2015 in “Dermatologic Therapy”

Finasteride and minoxidil together work best for male hair loss.

research Why Care About Linear Hair Growth Rates? A Study Using In Vivo Imaging and Computer-Assisted Image Analysis After Manual Processing in Unaffected Male Controls and Men with Male Pattern Hair Loss

7 citations , December 2014 in “European Journal of Dermatology”

Thicker hair grows faster; hair loss patients have slower growth.

research Androgenetic Alopecia: An Evidence-Based Treatment Update

151 citations , May 2014 in “American Journal of Clinical Dermatology”

Effective treatments for male pattern baldness include oral finasteride and topical minoxidil, while topical minoxidil is best for female pattern baldness.

research From Telogen to Exogen: Mechanisms Underlying Formation and Subsequent Loss of the Hair Club Fiber

81 citations , September 2009 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Hair shedding is an active process that could be targeted to treat hair loss.

research Exogen Hair Characterization in Human Scalp

35 citations , March 2007 in “Skin Research and Technology”

The conclusion is that exogen is a unique hair cycle phase and the new sampling method specifically targets this stage, which may help in future hair loss research.