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

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.