Patient-Reported Outcomes and Safety of Direct-to-Consumer Teledermatology for Finasteride in Male Androgenetic Alopecia

January 2023 in “ DIGITAL HEALTH ”

Johannes von Büren, Inga Hansen, Julian Kött, Florian Schröder, Juliana Veneroso, Stefan W. Schneider, Finn Abeck

finasteride androgenetic alopecia direct-to-consumer teledermatology treatment-related adverse events Propecia male pattern baldness DTC teledermatology

TLDR Most men using teledermatology for hair loss treatment saw improved hair and self-esteem, with some experiencing side effects.

A retrospective, cross-sectional study involving 2269 patients assessed the efficacy and safety of direct-to-consumer (DTC) teledermatology for finasteride treatment in male androgenetic alopecia (AGA). The study found that 79% of patients reported positive changes in hair appearance, and 59% reported an improvement in self-esteem. Treatment-related adverse events occurred in 12% of the patients, and full treatment adherence was reported in 87% of patients. The study concluded that DTC teledermatology may be an effective and safe treatment option for men with AGA, but treatment-related adverse events should be closely monitored. Further studies are needed to evaluate the long-term effects of the treatment.

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Research cited in this study

research Online Traffic Analysis of Direct-to-Consumer Websites for Hair Loss Treatment and Characterization of Finasteride Patients on a Platform in Germany: A Potential Paradigm Shift in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia

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