Relative Efficacy of Minoxidil in Combination With Other Treatments for Androgenic Alopecia: A Network Meta-Analysis Based on Randomized Controlled Trials

    September 2025 in “ Frontiers in Medicine ”
    Yang Xia, Hong Chen, Yongsong Chen, Zhiyong Chen
    Studysummary This study assessed the effectiveness of various combinations of minoxidil with other agents for androgenetic alopecia, finding that platelet-rich plasma and basic fibroblast growth factor combined with minoxidil significantly increased hair density, while different combinations were optimal depending on gender.
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    Research cited in this study 33

    1. Comparative Efficacy of 2% Minoxidil Alone Versus Combination With Low-Level Laser Therapy in Female Pattern Hair Loss: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Chinese Females Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy · 2024
    2. Efficacy of Topical Minoxidil and Finasteride Association Compared to Monotherapy in Men With Androgenetic Alopecia: A Prospective, Randomized, Controlled, Assessor-Blinded, 3-Arm, Pilot Trial Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology · 2023
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    5. Relative Effects of Minoxidil 5%, Platelet-Rich Plasma, and Microneedling in Pattern Hair Loss: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis Skin appendage disorders · 2023
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    7. Randomized Trial of Microneedling Combined With 2% Minoxidil Topical Solution for the Treatment of Female Pattern Hair Loss in a Chinese Population Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology · 2022
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    9. Efficacy and Safety of 5% Minoxidil Alone, Minoxidil Plus Oral Spironolactone, and Minoxidil Plus Microneedling on Female Pattern Hair Loss: A Prospective, Single-Center, Parallel-Group, Evaluator-Blinded, Randomized Trial Frontiers in Medicine · 2022
    10. Comparison Between 5% Minoxidil Plus 2% Flutamide Solution vs. 5% Minoxidil Solution in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology · 2022
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    15. Pumpkin Seed Oil vs. Minoxidil 5% Topical Foam for the Treatment of Female Pattern Hair Loss: A Randomized Comparative Trial Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology · 2021
    16. A Novel Topical Combination of Minoxidil and Spironolactone for Androgenetic Alopecia: Clinical, Histopathological, and Physicochemical Study Dermatologic Therapy · 2020
    17. Comparative Evaluation of the Clinical Efficacy of PRP Therapy, Minoxidil, and Their Combination with Immunohistochemical Study of the Dynamics of Cell Proliferation in the Treatment of Men with Androgenetic Alopecia International Journal of Molecular Sciences · 2020
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