Methylene Blue: Its Efficacy and Safety as a Storage Solution in Hair Transplantation

In 2016, a study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of methylene blue (MB) as a storage solution for hair growth enhancement in hair transplantation. The study involved three male subjects aged 31, 40, and 47 years old with pattern hair loss. The results showed that normal saline solution (NSS) was superior to MB in hair growth at post-operative months 4, 8, 12, and 18. The study concluded that MB at all concentrations appears to decrease graft survival in hair transplantation and is less effective than NSS as the sole storage solution. However, the researchers suggested that additional studies should be performed with lower and different concentrations of MB to confirm its efficacy as a potential storage solution. No skin irritation or discolorations were observed in the subjects.