Safety and Efficacy of Mesotherapy in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia: A Systematic Review

April 2017 in “ Health technology assessment in action ”

Sima Marzban, Bahman Amani, Asra Asgharzadeh

mesotherapy androgenetic alopecia dutasteride minoxidil finasteride Propecia Rogaine

From the encyclopedia

Mesotherapy →

technique to inject very small amounts of beneficial chemicals into the scalp

Dutasteride →

Heavy duty finasteride that comes with higher risks

Minoxidil →

An essential vasodilator with some anti-androgenic effects

Studysummary This study reviewed previous research and found that while mesotherapy appears to improve outcomes in treating androgenetic alopecia without significant adverse effects, the supporting studies were of poor quality, and further research is necessary to confirm its efficacy and safety. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

This systematic review evaluated the safety and efficacy of mesotherapy for treating androgenetic alopecia by analyzing five studies with a total of 344 patients. The studies included three randomized controlled trials and two non-randomized trials, using treatments such as dutasteride, minoxidil, and finasteride. While the review suggested that mesotherapy could improve efficacy outcomes without significant adverse effects, the overall quality of the studies was poor. Consequently, the review concluded that although mesotherapy appeared to be a safe and effective treatment, further research was necessary to confirm these findings.

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Research cited in this study

24 / 24 results

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This systematic review and meta-analysis found that minoxidil, finasteride, and low-level laser light therapy significantly improve hair growth in men with androgenetic alopecia, while minoxidil is also effective for women, compared to placebo.

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This study reports that mesotherapy for androgenetic alopecia may paradoxically lead to hair loss and scarring, highlighting the need for improved regulation and monitoring of this treatment.

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In this study, researchers found that the prevalence of androgenetic alopecia was higher in their sample compared to other studies in Asian and Caucasian populations, and it was linked with age-related severity.

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32 citations , January 2017 in “Patient Preference and Adherence”

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33 citations , January 2016 in “Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology”

This review discusses the use of finasteride for androgenetic alopecia and highlights that while it is considered safe, there is concern regarding its sexual side effects, which reverse upon discontinuation.

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20 citations , September 2015 in “Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

This study found that 5% minoxidil topical foam was effective in stabilizing hair density and scalp coverage in men with moderate androgenetic alopecia over 104 weeks, with good safety and tolerability.

research Five-Year Efficacy of Finasteride in 801 Japanese Men with Androgenetic Alopecia

13 citations , April 2015 in “Journal of Dermatology”

In this study, long-term finasteride treatment improved androgenetic alopecia in Japanese men, with younger age and less advanced disease at treatment start predicting better efficacy.

research Mesotherapy and Platelet-Rich Plasma for the Treatment of Hair Loss

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research Evaluation of the Effect of Injection of Dutasteride as a Mesotherapeutic Tool in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia in Males

17 citations , January 2013 in “Our Dermatology Online”

This study concluded that mesotherapy with a dutasteride-containing solution was the most effective option for treating androgenetic alopecia in males, promoting hair growth and reducing hair loss.

research Mesotherapy: What Is New?

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29 citations , November 2012 in “Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

This review discusses the development of an algorithmic guideline for treating androgenetic alopecia in Asian patients, using the BASP classification to address limitations of previous guidelines, and reports no clinical results.

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41 citations , April 2012 in “Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

This study found that mesotherapy with a dutasteride-containing preparation improved hair growth indicators in female pattern hair loss better than saline, with minimal side effects and greater effectiveness in patients with shorter disease duration.

research Quality of Life Assessment in Male Patients with Androgenetic Alopecia: Results of a Prospective, Multicenter Study

101 citations , January 2012 in “Annals of Dermatology”

In this study, researchers found that androgenetic alopecia significantly harms quality of life, particularly in younger patients, those with more severe or long-term alopecia, and those who have sought non-medical hair care.

research Evaluation of Efficacy and Safety of Finasteride 1 mg in 3177 Japanese Men with Androgenetic Alopecia

41 citations , October 2011 in “Journal of Dermatology”

This study observed that long-term use of finasteride in Japanese men with androgenetic alopecia was associated with progressive hair regrowth in 87.1% of participants without significant safety concerns.

research Finasteride, 1 Mg Daily Administration on Male Androgenetic Alopecia in Different Age Groups: 10-Year Follow-Up

44 citations , July 2011 in “Dermatologic Therapy”

This study found that finasteride 1 mg was effective in improving androgenetic alopecia over 10 years in men, particularly those older than 30, with some reporting beneficial results even after 5 years.

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25 citations , January 2010 in “International Journal of Trichology”

This commentary reviews the controversial use of mesotherapy for androgenetic alopecia and emphasizes the need for documented evidence, without reporting new clinical results.

research Alopecia Secondary to Mesotherapy

49 citations , July 2009 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

This report highlights two cases where patchy alopecia developed after mesotherapy for androgenetic alopecia, indicating potential risks associated with this treatment.

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66 citations , June 2006 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This study found that long-term finasteride treatment in men with androgenetic alopecia significantly increased hair weight and count compared to placebo over nearly four years.

research Prevalence of Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss in Maryborough

193 citations , August 2005 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings”

This study found that the prevalence of androgenetic alopecia increases with age among both men and women in Maryborough, Australia, with 57% of women and 73.5% of men aged 80 and over affected.

research A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial of 5% and 2% Topical Minoxidil Solutions in the Treatment of Female Pattern Hair Loss

219 citations , March 2004 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

In this 48-week trial, 5% topical minoxidil was more effective than both 2% minoxidil and placebo in promoting hair growth in women with female pattern hair loss, with notable improvements in nonvellus hair count and hair growth assessments.

research Androgenetic Alopecia in Men Aged 40-69 Years: Prevalence and Risk Factors

155 citations , December 2003 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

In this study, the researchers did not confirm previously reported links between AGA and smoking or benign prostatic hypertrophy, but found potential associations with alcohol consumption and lean body mass at age 21 that merit further investigation.

A Randomized Clinical Trial of 5% Topical Minoxidil Versus 2% Topical Minoxidil and Placebo in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia in Men

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269 citations , August 2002 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This study found that 5% topical minoxidil significantly increased hair regrowth and improved psychosocial perceptions of hair loss in men with androgenetic alopecia compared to 2% topical minoxidil and placebo over 48 weeks.

research The Prevalence and Types of Androgenetic Alopecia in Korean Men and Women

157 citations , July 2001 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

In this study, the prevalence of androgenetic alopecia among Korean men and women was found to be lower than in caucasians, with Korean men showing more frontal hairline preservation and a higher incidence of 'female pattern' hair thinning.