A Quantitative Hair Growth Assessment in Androgenetic Alopecia After Application of Two Cosmetic Lotions Versus 2% Topical Minoxidil
March 2005
in “
Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology
”
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Studysummary This study investigates the potential of a cosmetic day lotion with a 5a-reductase inhibitor and a night lotion with an angiogenic ingredient to modulate hair growth, but reports no clinical results. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.
The study evaluated hair growth modulation by a complex of two cosmetic lotions containing a 5a-reductase inhibitor and an angiogenic active ingredient in comparison to 2% topical minoxidil in 125 male and female subjects with androgenetic alopecia. Hair weight quantification was assessed during a 12-month period, and results showed statistically significant hair weight increase in all three groups from the first 2 months' application. The subjects' opinion on the cosmetic agreement of the products showed best results for the cosmetic lotions compared with the minoxidil group, especially for ease of application and penetration rate. Hair effects were best in the group using the night and day lotions. The study concluded that the daily application of a 5a-reductase inhibitor in a day lotion and an angiogenic active ingredient in a night lotion may be a good alternative to counteract hair loss, with better cosmetic hair effects than the same ingredients in one product and 2% minoxidil and better local tolerance than 2% minoxidil.
