Topical Cetirizine for the Management of Androgenic Alopecia: Results of a Pilot Study
September 2023
in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”
TLDR Topical cetirizine may help increase hair length in male pattern baldness and could be an alternative to minoxidil with fewer side effects.
A pilot study conducted in 2019-2020 involving 33 males with androgenic alopecia (AGA) examined the effects of topical cetirizine 1% and topical diclofenac 3% compared to the conventional treatment, minoxidil. The participants were divided into three groups of 11, each receiving one of the treatments. After 4 months, the only variable that improved in the cetirizine group was hair length, while no significant improvement was detected in the diclofenac group. However, the minoxidil group demonstrated a significant improvement in every single covariate after treatment. The study concluded that topical cetirizine 1% might be an option for treating AGA, particularly in those who do not respond to topical minoxidil, due to its fewer potential adverse effects. However, more extensive research is required to confirm these findings.
View this study on onlinelibrary.wiley.com →
Cited in this study
research Topical Cetirizine for Treating Androgenetic Alopecia: A Systematic Review
research Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of cow placenta extract lotion versus minoxidil 2% in the treatment of female pattern androgenetic alopecia
Cow placenta lotion works like minoxidil 2% for female hair loss, with fewer side effects.
research Topical Diclofenac 3% Gel for Actinic Keratosis May Induce Terminal Hair in Male Androgenetic Alopecia: A Report of Three Cases
Using a gel called Diclofenac can potentially cause hair to grow back in bald spots in older men.
research Androgenetic alopecia: new insights into the pathogenesis and mechanism of hair loss
New model shows muscle affects hair loss differently in men and women.
research Minoxidil Use in Dermatology, Side Effects and Recent Patents
Minoxidil treats hair loss, promotes growth, has side effects, and has recent patents.
research Prostaglandin D 2 Inhibits Hair Growth and Is Elevated in Bald Scalp of Men with Androgenetic Alopecia
PGD2 stops hair growth and is higher in bald men with AGA.
research Hair growth and rejuvenation: An overview
The document concludes that minoxidil and finasteride are proven for hair growth, herbal remedies show promise, but more research is needed to confirm their effectiveness.
research Serenoa repens: Does it have any role in the management of androgenetic alopecia?
research A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial to Determine the Effectiveness of Botanically Derived Inhibitors of 5-α-Reductase in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia
Natural 5AR inhibitors effectively improve mild to moderate hair loss in men.
research Finasteride
Finasteride effectively treats baldness but may cause sexual side effects.
Related
research Therapeutic Effects of Topical Cetirizine in the Treatment of Female Pattern Hair Loss: A Randomized Controlled Noninferiority Trial
Cetirizine lotion can effectively treat female pattern hair loss.
research Efficacy of Cetirizine 1% Versus Minoxidil 5% Topical Solution in the Treatment of Male Alopecia: A Randomized, Single-blind Controlled Study
research Topical Cetirizine 1% vs Minoxidil 5% Gel in Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia
research Minoxidil-induced hypertrichosis in a child with alopecia areata
A child used a hair growth lotion for hair loss, but it caused excessive hair growth on his face and neck instead.
research Topical Minoxidil
Minoxidil promotes hair regrowth, but more research needed for effectiveness and response factors.