Analyzing Efficacy of Low-Dose Oral Minoxidil, Topical Minoxidil, and Platelet-Rich Plasma with Topical Minoxidil Combination in Patients with Androgenetic Alopecia: A Randomized Controlled Observer Blinded Trial

This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of low-dose oral minoxidil, topical minoxidil, and a combination of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) with topical minoxidil in treating androgenetic alopecia (AGA) in 75 participants, with 60 completing the 32-week trial. Results showed that 25% of patients in the oral minoxidil and PRP with topical minoxidil groups, and 10% in the topical minoxidil group, experienced one grade improvement in AGA severity. The combination of PRP with topical minoxidil led to the highest median increase in terminal hair density (57%), significantly outperforming the other groups. Oral minoxidil showed a greater reduction in vellus hair density compared to the PRP combination. Side effects were mild across all groups, with headaches, dizziness, and pedal edema noted in the oral minoxidil group, and scalp itching and dryness in the topical minoxidil group. The study supports low-dose oral minoxidil as an effective alternative to topical minoxidil and highlights the benefits of combining PRP with topical minoxidil.