Minoxidil and finasteride are the only FDA-approved treatments for hair loss caused by genetic and hormonal factors, but their effectiveness is often doubted, indicating a need for new treatments.
April 2019 in “Actas Dermo-Sifiliográficas” The conclusion is that having both Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia and Discoid Lupus Erythematosus may suggest a shared immune response in certain people, and a mix of antimalarial drugs and 5-alfa-reductase inhibitors is recommended for treatment.
The document concludes that hair loss in women is complex, often linked to aging, health conditions, and nutritional deficiencies, and emotional impacts should not be underestimated.
October 2010 in “Journal of Men's Health” Some patients may experience lasting sexual dysfunction, depression, and other side effects from 5α-reductase inhibitor therapy.
June 2018 in “Advances in Cosmetic Surgery” Hair loss caused by genetics and hormones; more research needed for treatments.
159 citations,
March 2014 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Some skin medications are safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding, but others can harm the baby and should be avoided.
111 citations,
March 2012 in “Expert Opinion on Drug Delivery” Liposomes could improve how skin care products work but are costly and not very stable.
91 citations,
August 2015 in “Anais Brasileiros De Dermatologia” Female Pattern Hair Loss affects women's self-esteem and needs more research for better treatment.
81 citations,
June 2010 in “Journal of Dermatological Treatment” 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.
80 citations,
August 2002 in “Journal of Dermatology” Best hair growth results from combining finasteride and minoxidil.
77 citations,
June 2015 in “Nature Reviews Urology” Some common medications can harm male fertility, but many effects can be reversed.
76 citations,
December 1997 in “Fertility and Sterility” Finasteride reduces hair growth better, but spironolactone has more side effects.
75 citations,
January 2014 in “Korean Journal of Urology” 5α-reductase inhibitors can cause sexual problems, higher risk of aggressive prostate cancer, and depression.
75 citations,
October 1999 in “European journal of endocrinology” Finasteride is a safe, effective treatment for hirsutism with fewer side effects.
53 citations,
February 2020 in “Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy” Finasteride and minoxidil work best together for hair loss.
47 citations,
May 2002 in “Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery” Pregnancy can cause normal skin changes that usually go away after childbirth and don't need treatment.
37 citations,
November 1995 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” Topical finasteride and flutamide reduce gland size and enzyme activity, with flutamide being more potent, potentially treating acne, seborrhea, hirsutism, and androgenic alopecia.
33 citations,
January 2018 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism” Metformin improves menstrual cycles and hormone levels in women with PCOS, mostly within the first 6 months.
33 citations,
August 2006 in “Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft” Pregnancy can cause specific skin conditions that need correct diagnosis and treatment to protect both mother and baby.
28 citations,
July 2017 in “Expert Review of Anticancer Therapy” Breast cancer patients taking CDK4/6 inhibitors are more likely to experience fatigue, hair loss, and mouth sores.
22 citations,
March 2018 in “American Journal of Clinical Dermatology” New acne treatments show promise as alternatives to traditional therapies.
22 citations,
May 2000 in “American Journal of Clinical Dermatology” Treatments for common hair loss include minoxidil, finasteride, and hair transplantation.
22 citations,
March 2000 in “Clinics in Dermatology” Many treatments for hair loss lack proper testing and FDA approval, so their effectiveness is uncertain.
18 citations,
June 2010 in “Current medicinal chemistry” Treating hirsutism in women often requires a mix of medications and cosmetic methods for best results.
18 citations,
January 2009 in “Journal of Endocrinological Investigation” Flutamide works better than finasteride for hirsutism, and combining both is slightly better but not much.
16 citations,
March 2011 in “Pediatric diabetes” Metformin helps manage diabetes, PCOS, and weight in kids but needs more research for long-term safety.
6 citations,
March 2014 in “Herba Polonica” Plant extracts may help treat hormone-related hair loss.
4 citations,
August 2001 in “Epilepsia” Treating epilepsy is complex, requiring careful drug choice and patient adherence to manage seizures and side effects.
3 citations,
November 2022 in “Advances in Clinical and Experimental Medicine” Electric pulse treatments for breast cancer show promise in being safer and more effective, with fewer side effects.
2 citations,
January 2018 in “Elsevier eBooks” Lipid nanoparticles improve drug delivery through the skin, offering stability, controlled release, and better compatibility with skin.