Medical and Procedural Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia – Where Are We?

August 2023 in “ Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology ”

Nathalie Ly, Sophia Fruechte, Maria Hordinsky, Neil S. Sadick, Suleima Arruda, Ronda S. Farah

androgenetic alopecia low-dose oral minoxidil spironolactone finasteride nutritional supplements photobiomodulation platelet-rich plasma hair transplantation follicular unit extraction robotics Rogaine Propecia PRP FUE

TLDR New treatments for hair loss include low-dose pills, updated drugs, supplements, light therapy, plasma injections, and advanced hair transplant techniques.

The document discusses the latest medical and procedural treatments for androgenetic alopecia. It highlights the clinical introduction of low-dose oral minoxidil and the advancements in data on spironolactone, finasteride, and nutritional supplements. The document also mentions minimally invasive technological advancements such as photobiomodulation and platelet-rich plasma. In the field of hair transplantation, follicular unit extraction and robotics are now available for clinicians.

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Research cited in this study

21 / 21 results

research Supplementation and Hair Growth: A Retrospective Chart Review of Patients With Alopecia and Laboratory Abnormalities

3 citations , August 2022 in “JAAD international”

Taking a daily multivitamin may be enough to promote hair growth in people with alopecia.

research Platelet-Rich Plasma Monotherapies for Androgenetic Alopecia: A Network Meta-Analysis and Meta-Regression Study

1 citations , August 2022 in “Journal of Drugs in Dermatology”

More frequent PRP sessions with shorter intervals improve hair loss treatment.

research Effects of Exosomes from Adipose-Derived Stem Cells on Hair Loss: A Retrospective Analysis of 39 Patients

10 citations , February 2022 in “Journal of cosmetic dermatology”

Exosomes from fat-derived stem cells may help regrow hair.

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”

Dutasteride is the most effective hair loss treatment after 24 weeks, but finasteride leads to the most hair growth after 48 weeks.

research Randomized Clinical Trial of Low-Dose Oral Minoxidil for the Treatment of Female Pattern Hair Loss: 0.25 mg Versus 1 mg

3 citations , January 2022 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

1 mg/day of low-dose oral minoxidil is effective and safe for treating female hair loss.

research Efficacy and Safety Profile of Oral Spironolactone Use for Androgenic Alopecia: A Systematic Review

8 citations , August 2021 in “PubMed”

Oral spironolactone effectively treats hair loss with mild, manageable side effects.

research Nutraceuticals

7 citations , May 2021 in “Dermatologic Clinics”

Nutraceuticals like Ashwagandha and Astaxanthin may help with hair loss, but supplement regulation is challenging.

research Hair Transplantation: Basic Overview

30 citations , April 2021 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Hair transplantation can effectively restore hair in balding areas.

research Safety of Low-Dose Oral Minoxidil for Hair Loss: A Multicenter Study of 1404 Patients

39 citations , February 2021 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Low-dose oral minoxidil safely treats hair loss, with hypertrichosis as main side effect.

research Photobiomodulation: The Clinical Applications of Low-Level Light Therapy

33 citations , January 2021 in “Aesthetic Surgery Journal”

Low-Level Light Therapy (LLLT) is a safe and effective method for skin rejuvenation, acne treatment, wound healing, body contouring, and hair growth, but more well-designed trials are needed for confirmation.

research Photobiomodulation for the Management of Hair Loss

26 citations , December 2020 in “Photodermatology Photoimmunology & Photomedicine”

Photobiomodulation can improve hair density and thickness, but it's costly and needs more research.

research Ongoing Concerns Regarding Finasteride for the Treatment of Male-Pattern Androgenetic Alopecia

5 citations , November 2020 in “JAMA Dermatology”

Finasteride may cause side effects; more research needed.

research Investigation of Suicidality and Psychological Adverse Events in Patients Treated With Finasteride

40 citations , November 2020 in “JAMA Dermatology”

Finasteride may cause suicidal thoughts and mental side effects, especially in young people with hair loss.

research Current Advances in Stem Cell-Based Therapies for Hair Regeneration

32 citations , May 2020 in “European Journal of Pharmacology”

Stem cell therapies show promise for hair regrowth but face production and application challenges.

research Unknown Safety Profile of Ingredients in Hair Supplements: A Call to Action for Improved Patient Safety

1 citations , May 2020

The conclusion is that hair supplement ingredients may be unsafe and should be disclosed and proven safe before use.

research Spironolactone for Treatment of Female Pattern Hair Loss

15 citations , April 2020 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Spironolactone effectively treats female pattern hair loss with few side effects.

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

9 citations , October 2018 in “Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy”

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

research Response to: Rethinking Biotin Therapy for Hair, Nail, and Skin Disorders

4 citations , August 2018 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

The authors agree that biotin may help certain hair disorders but lacks evidence for use in healthy people and call for more research.

Evaluating the Efficacy of Different Platelet-Rich Plasma Regimens for Management of Androgenetic Alopecia: A Single-Center, Blinded, Randomized Clinical Trial

research Evaluating the Efficacy of Different Platelet-Rich Plasma Regimens for Management of Androgenetic Alopecia: A Single-Center, Blinded, Randomized Clinical Trial

46 citations , May 2018 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

PRP injections effectively treat hair loss, with positive results in both monthly and every three months treatments.

research Rethinking Biotin Therapy for Hair, Nail, and Skin Disorders

57 citations , February 2018 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

Biotin supplements are not proven to improve hair or nails and may interfere with medical tests.

Combined Treatment with Oral Finasteride and Topical Minoxidil in Male Androgenetic Alopecia: A Randomized and Comparative Study in Chinese Patients

research Combined Treatment with Oral Finasteride and Topical Minoxidil in Male Androgenetic Alopecia: A Randomized and Comparative Study in Chinese Patients

32 citations , June 2015 in “Dermatologic Therapy”

Finasteride and minoxidil together work best for male hair loss.

Related Research

10 / 10 results

research Pharmacological Therapeutics in Androgenetic Alopecia

3 citations , May 2020 in “Journal of The Korean Medical Association”

Minoxidil and finasteride are effective for treating hair loss, with dutasteride showing potential but with side effects.

A Randomized, Double-Blind Controlled Study of the Efficacy and Safety of Topical Solution of 0.25% Finasteride Admixed with 3% Minoxidil vs. 3% Minoxidil Solution in the Treatment of Male Androgenetic Alopecia

research A Randomized, Double-Blind Controlled Study of the Efficacy and Safety of Topical Solution of 0.25% Finasteride Admixed with 3% Minoxidil vs. 3% Minoxidil Solution in the Treatment of Male Androgenetic Alopecia

43 citations , July 2018 in “Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

Finasteride and minoxidil mix works better for hair growth than minoxidil alone, with similar safety.

research The Modern Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia

February 2017 in “Vestnik dermatologii i venerologii”

Hair loss can be treated with common methods like minoxidil and finasteride, but new potential treatments include growth factors, cytokines, and platelet-rich plasma injections.

research Combined Treatment with Oral Finasteride and Topical Minoxidil in Male Androgenetic Alopecia: A Randomized and Comparative Study in Chinese Patients

32 citations , June 2015 in “Dermatologic Therapy”

Finasteride and minoxidil together work best for male hair loss.

research A New Topical Formulation of Minoxidil and Finasteride Improves Hair Growth in Men with Androgenetic Alopecia

5 citations , January 2015 in “Journal of clinical & experimental dermatology research”

MorrF improves hair growth better than minoxidil alone.

research Medications and Hair Transplantation

November 2009 in “Cambridge University Press eBooks”

Minoxidil and finasteride combined can effectively treat hair loss.

Use of Finasteride in the Treatment of Men With Androgenetic Alopecia