TLDR About 41% of Indian hair loss patients have low enzyme activity that affects hair loss treatment effectiveness, with men affected more than women. Testing for this can guide treatment.
In 2018, a study of 120 pattern hair loss patients from the Indian subcontinent found that 40.8% had low levels of sulfotransferase activity, an enzyme that converts minoxidil, a common hair loss treatment, into its active form. Men had a higher percentage of low activity (49.3%) compared to women (26.6%). The study suggested that testing for sulfotransferase activity before starting therapy could help identify those who may not respond to minoxidil treatment and guide the prescription of the correct dosage for patients with androgenetic alopecia, the most common form of baldness.
43 citations,
August 2014 in “Dermatologic Therapy” Minoxidil response testing helps treat hair loss effectively and safely.
20 citations,
April 2014 in “Dermatologic Therapy” Sulfotransferase in hair follicles helps predict how well minoxidil works for female hair loss.
27 citations,
November 2013 in “Dermatologic Therapy” New test predicts if hair loss treatment will work.
142 citations,
August 2007 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” New 5% minoxidil foam effectively promotes hair growth and is safe for use.
269 citations,
August 2002 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” 5% minoxidil works better for hair growth and density, with minor irritation.
82 citations,
March 1994 in “Archives of Dermatology” 2% topical minoxidil effectively treats female hair loss with minimal side effects.
58 citations,
October 1993 in “International Journal of Dermatology” Minoxidil helps hair growth and reduces shedding in women.
166 citations,
November 1990 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” Minoxidil sulfate stimulates hair growth.
68 citations,
September 1990 in “Biochemical Pharmacology” Minoxidil activates hair growth by being sulfated by P-PST in the human liver.
7 citations,
June 2020 in “Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology” Genetic variants affect minoxidil hair loss treatment success.
2 citations,
June 2019 in “PubMed” A specific enzyme that activates the hair growth medication minoxidil when applied to the skin was identified.
8 citations,
October 2018 in “Dermatologic Therapy” About 41% of Indian hair loss patients have low enzyme activity that affects hair loss treatment effectiveness, with men affected more than women. Testing for this can guide treatment.
30 citations,
November 2008 in “Facial Plastic Surgery” The conclusion is that the best approach for treating Female Pattern Hair Loss is a combination of different treatments.
