June 2026 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology” This study found that a topical 5% phenytoin solution, applied twice daily for 16 weeks, significantly improved total hair count and hair density in men with androgenetic alopecia, with mild and transient side effects observed.
11 citations
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October 2021 in “Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology” This study found that topical finasteride significantly increased hair count in men with androgenetic alopecia compared to placebo while maintaining similar efficacy to oral finasteride but with lower systemic exposure and a reduced impact on serum DHT levels, potentially minimizing sexual side effects.
19 citations
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November 2011 This review discusses the topical use of systemic drugs for cutaneous disorders and reports a lack of strong evidence from randomized controlled trials, highlighting the need for larger comparative effectiveness studies.
1 citations
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August 2020 in “IntechOpen eBooks” This review highlights drug repositioning strategies for discovering new treatments for skin conditions and reports no new clinical results, emphasizing the integration of systematic methods with advances in molecular biology and omics.
11 citations
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May 1990 in “Journal of Dermatological Science” In this animal study, topical diazoxide treatment led to increased hair thickness and follicle growth in bald stumptailed macaques without causing notable systemic side effects.