The Mechanistic Insights Into The Application Of Retinoids And Possible Adjunct Therapeutic Treatment To Androgenic Alopecia

October 2025 in “ Annals of Medicine and Surgery ”

Hamza Irfan, Ahmad Asad Raza, Hira Amran Chowdhry, Muhammad Bin Mobin, Abedin Samadi, Ahmad Asad Raza, Abedin Samadi, Abedin Samadi

retinoids androgenetic alopecia dihydrotestosterone follicular miniaturization anagen phase vitamin A derivatives topical retinoids AGA DHT

Studysummary This study discusses the potential of topical retinoids, vitamin A derivatives, to improve treatment outcomes for androgenetic alopecia by promoting hair growth through extending the anagen phase and stimulating follicular activity, offering a promising approach when combined with existing therapies.

Automatically generated from the study's abstract, not written by a person, and not a review of the full paper. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Read the original study, and consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

View this study on journals.lww.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

41 / 41 results

research The Efficacy of Tretinoin Gel 0.1% Followed by Topical Minoxidil 5% in Individuals with Androgenetic Alopecia

June 2025 in “International Journal of Research in Dermatology”

In this case series, researchers observed that combining 0.1% tretinoin gel with 5% minoxidil over 90 days improved hair growth and patient satisfaction in androgenetic alopecia patients who did not previously respond to minoxidil alone, with significant increases in hair count, density, and quality.

research Clinical And Preclinical Approach In AGA Treatment: A Review Of Current And New Therapies In The Regenerative Field

August 2024 in “Stem Cell Research & Therapy”

This review discusses current and emerging therapies for androgenetic alopecia, emphasizing regenerative treatments and nanotechnology advancements, but it reports no new clinical results.

research Retinoic Acid Drives Hair Follicle Stem Cell Activation via Wnt/Beta-Catenin Signalling in Androgenetic Alopecia

April 2024 in “JEADV. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology/Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

This study investigates the role of retinoic acid in regulating hair follicle stem cell homeostasis to identify new potential targets for treating androgenetic alopecia.

research Androgenetic Alopecia: A Review

April 2024 in “Nigerian Postgraduate Medical Journal”

This review summarizes existing knowledge on androgenetic alopecia, including its epidemiology, pathophysiology, and management, but presents no new research findings.

research A Review of Isotretinoin in the Treatment of Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia

March 2024 in “Journal of cosmetic dermatology”

This study found that oral isotretinoin significantly reduced symptoms in nearly 90% of patients with frontal fibrosing alopecia, affecting both facial papules and hair loss.

research Relative Efficacy of Minoxidil and the 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors in Androgenetic Alopecia Treatment of Male Patients

13 citations , February 2022 in “JAMA Dermatology”

This meta-analysis reported that 0.5 mg/d of dutasteride significantly increased total hair count at 24 weeks compared to finasteride and minoxidil in men with androgenetic alopecia.

research Teratogenic Effect of Isotretinoin in Both Fertile Females and Males: A Review

19 citations , March 2021 in “Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine”

This review examines recent literature on isotretinoin's teratogenic effects in both fertile females and males, analyzing its role in causing congenital malformations but provides no new clinical results.

research Androgenetic Alopecia in Women and Men: Italian Guidelines Adapted from European Dermatology Forum/European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology Guidelines

4 citations , December 2020 in “Giornale italiano di dermatologia e venereologia”

This guideline summarizes evidence-based and expert-based recommendations for treating androgenetic alopecia, adapted by an Italian expert group in alignment with Italian pharmacological policies.

Efficacy and Safety of Oral Minoxidil 5 mg Once Daily in the Treatment of Male Patients with Androgenetic Alopecia: An Open-Label and Global Photographic Assessment

research Efficacy and Safety of Oral Minoxidil 5 mg Once Daily in the Treatment of Male Patients with Androgenetic Alopecia: An Open-Label and Global Photographic Assessment

24 citations , September 2020 in “Dermatology and therapy”

This study found that low-dose oral minoxidil 5 mg daily significantly increased hair growth in men with androgenetic alopecia over 24 weeks, with increased hair count and vertex area improvement, though most experienced hypertrichosis and some had pedal edema.

research Efficacy and Safety of Oral Minoxidil in Female Androgenetic Alopecia

14 citations , September 2020 in “Dermatologic Therapy”

This study reported that oral minoxidil improved hair density and had an acceptable safety profile in women with androgenetic alopecia.

research Clascoterone as a Novel Treatment for Androgenetic Alopecia

5 citations , May 2020 in “Clinical and Experimental Dermatology”

This correspondence discusses clascoterone as a potential new treatment for androgenetic alopecia but reports no clinical results.

research Efficacy of Intralesional and Oral Dutasteride in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia: A Systematic Review

5 citations , January 2020 in “Skin appendage disorders”

This study found that oral dutasteride increased hair count more than intralesional administration in androgenetic alopecia, but more research is needed for a reliable comparison.

research Noncoding dsRNA Induces Retinoic Acid Synthesis to Stimulate Hair Follicle Regeneration via TLR3

47 citations , June 2019 in “Nature Communications”

This study found that self-noncoding dsRNA activates TLR3 to stimulate intrinsic retinoic acid synthesis, promoting new hair follicle formation in wounded mice and showing similar gene expression changes in humans treated with rejuvenation lasers.

research Effectiveness and Safety of Low-Dose Oral Minoxidil in Male Androgenetic Alopecia

52 citations , May 2019 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This study evaluated the effectiveness and safety of low-dose oral minoxidil (2.5-5 mg daily) in men with male androgenetic alopecia, aiming to contribute data to an area with limited previous reports. Results are not provided in the abstract.

research Tretinoin Enhances Minoxidil Response in Androgenetic Alopecia Patients by Upregulating Follicular Sulfotransferase Enzymes

8 citations , April 2019 in “Dermatologic Therapy”

This study found that applying topical tretinoin can influence follicular sulfotransferase expression, enabling 43% of predicted nonresponders to minoxidil to respond positively in the context of androgenetic alopecia.

research Sexual Dysfunction in Men Taking Systemic Dermatologic Medication: A Systematic Review

11 citations , March 2019 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This review identifies evidence of sexual adverse effects, particularly linked to finasteride, in men using systemic dermatologic medications but reports no new clinical findings.

research Increasing the Percutaneous Absorption and Follicular Penetration of Retinal by Topical Application of Proretinal Nanoparticles

14 citations , March 2019 in “European journal of pharmaceutics and biopharmaceutics”

This study observed that proretinal nanoparticles delivered significantly higher concentrations of retinal to the stratum corneum and hair follicles compared to non-particulate forms, potentially improving topical retinoid therapy.

research The Main Cause of Hair Rarefaction in Androgenetic Alopecia: Higher Number and Longer Duration of Kenogen Hairs

5 citations , November 2018 in “Skin appendage disorders”

This study found that oral finasteride increased the total number of hairs in men with androgenetic alopecia by 55% over 2.5 years, but did not reduce the number of miniaturized vellus hairs.

research Androgenic Alopecia and Dutasteride in Hair Mesotherapy: A Short Review

January 2018 in “Our Dermatology Online”

This review summarizes the use of injectable dutasteride mesotherapy for androgenic alopecia and reports improved hair growth when combined with other substances, but highlights the need for further studies to establish long-term protocols.

research Persistent Erectile Dysfunction in Men Exposed to 5α-Reductase Inhibitors, Finasteride, or Dutasteride

50 citations , March 2017 in “PeerJ”

This study found that longer exposure to 5α-reductase inhibitors significantly increased the risk of persistent erectile dysfunction, especially in younger men exposed to finasteride.

research Demographics of Women with Female Pattern Hair Loss and the Effectiveness of Spironolactone Therapy

26 citations , September 2015 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

In this study, spironolactone was reported to stabilize or improve female pattern hair loss in 74.3% of treated women, especially those with signs of hyperandrogenism.

research The Growth of Human Scalp Hair in Females Using Visible Red Light Laser and LED Sources

81 citations , August 2014 in “Lasers in Surgery and Medicine”

This study found that low-level laser therapy significantly increased hair growth in women with androgenic alopecia, achieving a 37% greater increase in hair counts compared to placebo.

A Randomized, Active- and Placebo-Controlled Study of the Efficacy and Safety of Different Doses of Dutasteride Versus Placebo and Finasteride in the Treatment of Male Subjects with Androgenetic Alopecia

research A Randomized, Active- and Placebo-Controlled Study of the Efficacy and Safety of Different Doses of Dutasteride Versus Placebo and Finasteride in the Treatment of Male Subjects with Androgenetic Alopecia

97 citations , January 2014 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This study found that dutasteride increased hair growth and restoration in men with androgenetic alopecia more effectively than finasteride and was well tolerated over 24 weeks.

research Female Pattern Alopecia: Current Perspectives

42 citations , August 2013 in “International Journal of Women's Health”

This review discusses the current therapeutic options for female pattern hair loss and emphasizes the need for managing patient expectations of permanent regrowth, reporting no new clinical results.

research Androgenetic Alopecia: Identification Of Four Genetic Risk Loci And Evidence For The Contribution Of WNT Signaling To Its Etiology

74 citations , January 2013 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Four genetic risk spots found for hair loss, with WNT signaling involved and a link to curly hair.

research Retinoids Putting the 'A' in Alopecia

7 citations , January 2013 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

This study suggests that dietary vitamin A may influence alopecia development and progression, but the mechanisms remain unclear, highlighting the interplay between genetics and nutrition in these hair loss conditions.

research Androgen Actions on the Human Hair Follicle: Perspectives

115 citations , September 2012 in “Experimental Dermatology”

This article reviews the molecular mechanisms involved in androgenetic alopecia and the androgen's paradoxical role in hair growth, but reports no new experimental findings.

A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study to Assess the Efficacy of a 24-Week Topical Treatment by Latanoprost 0.1% on Hair Growth and Pigmentation in Healthy Volunteers with Androgenetic Alopecia

research A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study to Assess the Efficacy of a 24-Week Topical Treatment by Latanoprost 0.1% on Hair Growth and Pigmentation in Healthy Volunteers with Androgenetic Alopecia

81 citations , August 2011 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

In this study, latanoprost significantly increased hair density in young men with mild androgenetic alopecia after 24 weeks, suggesting it may stimulate hair follicle activity and treat hair loss.

research S1 Guideline for Diagnostic Evaluation in Androgenetic Alopecia in Men, Women, and Adolescents

151 citations , August 2010 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

This guideline reviews the diagnosis of androgenetic alopecia and offers expert consensus recommendations tailored to males, females, and adolescents, but reports no new clinical results.

Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of Dutasteride 0.5 mg Once Daily in Male Patients with Male Pattern Hair Loss: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Phase III Study

research Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of Dutasteride 0.5 mg Once Daily in Male Patients with Male Pattern Hair Loss: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Phase III Study

92 citations , June 2010 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This study found that 0.5 mg of dutasteride significantly improved hair growth compared to placebo and was well tolerated over six months in men with male pattern hair loss.

research Promotive Effect of Minoxidil Combined with All-Trans Retinoic Acid (Tretinoin) on Human Hair Growth In Vitro

41 citations , January 2007 in “Journal of Korean Medical Science”

This study found that combining minoxidil with all-trans retinoic acid additively promoted hair growth in vitro by activating certain cell survival pathways and reducing apoptosis markers more effectively than minoxidil alone.

research Efficacy of 5% Minoxidil Versus Combined 5% Minoxidil and 0.01% Tretinoin for Male Pattern Hair Loss

43 citations , January 2007 in “American Journal of Clinical Dermatology”

This study concluded that a combined once-daily solution of 5% minoxidil and 0.01% tretinoin is as effective and safe as the conventional twice-daily 5% minoxidil application for treating androgenetic alopecia in men.

research The Additive Effects of Minoxidil and Retinol on Human Hair Growth In Vitro

32 citations , January 2007 in “Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin”

This study found that combining minoxidil and retinol additively promoted hair growth in vitro, enhancing Erk- and Akt-dependent pathways and preventing apoptosis in dermal papilla cells and keratinocytes.

Towards Dissecting the Pathogenesis of Retinoid-Induced Hair Loss: All-Trans Retinoic Acid Induces Premature Hair Follicle Regression by Upregulation of Transforming Growth Factor-β2 in the Dermal Papilla

research Towards Dissecting the Pathogenesis of Retinoid-Induced Hair Loss: All-Trans Retinoic Acid Induces Premature Hair Follicle Regression by Upregulation of Transforming Growth Factor-β2 in the Dermal Papilla

92 citations , June 2005 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

This study found that the retinoid all-trans retinoic acid induced a catagen-like stage in human scalp hair follicles, suggesting upregulation of TGF-beta2 as a contributing mechanism.

research Treatment of Female Pattern Hair Loss With Oral Antiandrogens

179 citations , March 2005 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

This study found that 88% of women with female pattern hair loss who received oral antiandrogens saw no progression or improvement in their condition.

research Possible Mechanisms of Miniaturization During Androgenetic Alopecia or Pattern Hair Loss

116 citations , September 2001 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This study suggests that miniaturization in pattern hair loss may occur abruptly and can be reversed with treatment, as supported by histologic evidence in finasteride-responsive patients.

research Finasteride in the Treatment of Men with Androgenetic Alopecia

581 citations , October 1998 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

In male pattern hair loss, this study found that finasteride 1 mg daily significantly slowed hair loss and increased hair growth over two years compared to placebo.

research Psychological Effects of Androgenetic Alopecia on Women: Comparisons with Balding Men and Female Control Subjects

222 citations , October 1993 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This study found that androgenetic alopecia causes significant psychological distress, particularly in women, who exhibit a more negative body image and less adaptive functioning compared to controls.

research Influence of Tretinoin on the Percutaneous Absorption of Minoxidil from an Aqueous Topical Solution

30 citations , April 1990 in “Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics”

This study found that coadministering minoxidil with tretinoin cream increased minoxidil absorption nearly threefold in healthy males, attributed to increased stratum corneum permeability.

research Retinoids: Compounds Important to Hair Growth

19 citations , October 1988 in “Clinics in dermatology”

This article discusses potential roles for retinoids in hair regrowth and proposes future studies, reporting no new experimental results.

research Topical Tretinoin for Hair Growth Promotion

73 citations , October 1986 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

This study found that a combination of topical tretinoin and 0.5% minoxidil resulted in terminal hair regrowth in 66% of subjects with androgenetic alopecia over one year.