Tretinoin and microneedling both enhance hair growth through different mechanisms, with microneedling being considered safe for long-term use. Optimal microneedling needle length varies, but 0.8 mm is suggested for hair growth, and a Dermastamp is recommended to avoid skin damage.
Minoxidil's effectiveness is limited by the need for sulfation and proper transport to hair follicles, with tretinoin potentially enhancing its effects by promoting enzyme activity and keratinocyte differentiation. Tretinoin may improve minoxidil's response by boosting the expression of necessary enzymes and transporters.
RU58841, a potential hair loss treatment, was not commercialized due to marketability issues and lack of long-term safety data. Concerns about its formulation and delivery methods further complicate its use.
SCUBE3 and GT20029 are potential treatments for hair loss, with SCUBE3 stimulating hair growth and GT20029 protecting against DHT. A combined approach using SCUBE3, finasteride or dutasteride, and later GT20029 could provide a comprehensive treatment for androgenetic alopecia.
The mechanism of Androgenic Alopecia and practical applications of treatments like Minoxidil, Finasteride, RU58841, dermarolling, scalp massages, anti-fungals, progesterone, estrogen, PPAR-γ activators, reducing oxidative stress, and scalp exercises. It explains why DHT is important in AA and how other factors might be involved such as hypoxia, increased DKK-1 expression, morphological changes to the scalp, skull growth during childhood/puberty, and blood flow.