The Rise of Transcutaneous Drug Delivery for the Management of Alopecia: A Review of Existing Literature and an Eye Towards the Future

October 2018 in “ Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy ”

Angela Wipf, Nicholas C. Boysen, Maria Hordinsky, Emily Dando, Neil S. Sadick, Ronda S. Farah

transcutaneous drug delivery fractional lasers microneedling alopecia androgenetic alopecia alopecia areata triamcinolone minoxidil finasteride hair regrowth topical drugs skin conditions AGA AA Rogaine Propecia

TLDR Using methods like lasers and microneedling with drugs can improve hair regrowth for alopecia, but more research is needed on safety and best practices.

The 2018 review analyzed the use of transcutaneous drug delivery methods, such as fractional lasers and microneedling, for treating alopecia, including androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and alopecia areata (AA). It covered 8 studies, including 6 prospective clinical trials and 2 case series, with a total of 17 patients. The studies showed that combining these methods with topical drugs like triamcinolone, minoxidil, and finasteride can enhance hair regrowth, with 6 out of 8 studies reporting improvements. The review concluded that while these methods are promising, more research is needed to establish the best treatment parameters, device selection, and safety profiles. Side effects were rare but could include various skin conditions. The review also suggested that controlled medical settings are recommended for these treatments due to potential systemic risks and sterility concerns.

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