Combating "dread shed": The impact of overlapping topical and oral minoxidil on temporary hair shedding during oral minoxidil initiation

Background

Low dose oral minoxidil (LDOM) is a preferred treatment for alopecia due to ease of use and efficacy. While LDOM is typically well tolerated, patients may experience a temporary increase in hair shedding starting treatment, colloquially regarded as "dread shed". One proposed method to combat this is to overlap therapies by maintaining use of topical minoxidil when initiating LDOM.

Objective

To evaluate the impact of maintaining topical minoxidil when initiating LDOM on "dread shed".

Methods

We performed a retrospective chart review of patients seen at New York University Langone Health Dermatology from January 1, 2008 to August 1, 2023 prescribed LDOM.

Results

A total of 115 patients met inclusion criteria, of whom 37 maintained use of topical minoxidil when initiating LDOM. Six patients experienced "dread shed" when initiating LDOM, 2 of whom overlapped therapies. We did not find that overlapping therapies had a significant impact on decreasing rates of "dread shed".

Limitations

Limitations include retrospective design, sample size, and subjective patient-reported assessment of hair shedding.

Conclusions

A total of 5.2% of patients experienced dread shed, which is lower than previously reported in literature. Maintaining topical minoxidil during LDOM initiation does not significantly impact "dread shed". This remains a significant side effect deserving of further research.

The efficacy of the combination of topical minoxidil and oral spironolactone compared with the combination of topical minoxidil and oral finasteride in women with androgenic alopecia, female and male hair loss patterns: A blinded randomized clinical trial

INTRODUCTION

Androgenic alopecia (AGA) is the most common cause of hair loss in women, affecting their quality of life. The present study was conducted with the aim of comparing the combined effect of topical minoxidil and oral spironolactone with the combined effect of topical minoxidil and oral finasteride in women with AGA, female and male hair loss patterns.

METHOD

This clinical study was performed on 60 women suffering from AGA. The patients were divided into two groups receiving spironolactone 100 mg/day and finasteride 5 mg/day. In addition, a 2% minoxidil solution was used in all patients in addition to treatment with finasteride or spironolactone. At 2 months after initiation and at the end of treatment, patients were evaluated using the Ludwig/Norwood-Hamilton scale and the degree of physician and patient satisfaction.

RESULTS

After 2 months, hair density, hair thickness, and hair loss had improved in both groups; however, statistically, there was no significant difference between the two groups with respect to these parameters (p > 0.05). After 4 months, a significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of treatment response (physician satisfaction), hair density, and hair loss severity. So that, the drugs used were ineffective in 6.7% of cases in the minoxidil-spironolactone group and in 16.7% of cases in the minoxidil-finasteride group. In addition, 43.3% of cases in the minoxidil-spironolactone group and 53% in the minoxidil-finasteride group responded well to treatment. The treatment effect was excellent in 56.7% and 0% of the mentioned groups, respectively, and the mentioned difference was statistically significant (p: 0.01). The response to treatment in female pattern hair loss (FPHL) was not statistically significant (p: 0.52), but there was a significant difference in the response to both treatments in male pattern hair loss (MPHL; p: 0.007). In terms of patient satisfaction, minoxidil-spironolactone treatment was significantly better than minoxidil-finasteride regarding hair density and severity of hair loss (p: 0.01). Finally, in terms of treatment complications, the patients in two groups did not have any serious adverse effects.

CONCLUSION

The combination of minoxidil and spironolactone could be considered a more effective treatment than the combination of minoxidil and finasteride in women with AGA, FPHL, and MPHL.

Efficacy of autologous Platelet-rich plasma therapy versus topical Minoxidil in men with moderate androgenetic alopecia: A randomized open-label trial

BACKGROUND

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an adjunctive treatment in androgenetic alopecia (AGA). Its role as a monotherapy, when compared to FDA-approved therapies in moderate grades of androgenetic alopecia is not established.

OBJECTIVES

We sought to study the efficacy and safety of standardized non-activated PRP preparation against topical minoxidil in AGA.

METHODS

Men aged 20-50 with Grade III and IV (Modified Hamilton-Norwood) AGA were randomized to receive 5% Minoxidil (x6 months) or PRP injections (monthly x3). The primary endpoints were global photographic assessment at week 24, change in target area hair counts, density, and anagen hair at week 12. Other outcomes were subjects' satisfaction and adverse events.

RESULTS

In total, 64 participants were randomized. At week 24, 56% responded to Minoxidil arm and 38% to PRP (p= 0.124). There was a significant increase in target area hair count and density at week 12 within the groups. The difference between the groups was not statistically significant. Adverse events occurred in 53% and 37% of the PRP and minoxidil groups, respectively. Patient satisfaction was better with Minoxidil.

CONCLUSION

PRP is effective in the treatment of moderate grades of androgenetic alopecia in men, although perhaps not different from minoxidil. Side effects occur more frequently with PRP.

Topical finasteride for male and female pattern hair loss: Is it a safe and effective alternative?

Oral finasteride is an FDA-approved treatment for androgenetic alopecia (AGA). Topical finasteride, while not FDA approved, lacks the systemic adverse effects associated with oral finasteride. The efficacy of topical finasteride has been evaluated. A structured search in PubMed and Google Scholar identified 864 records, with 32 articles meeting the inclusion criteria for review. In a phase III, randomized, controlled trial, the efficacies of topical 0.25% w/w finasteride spray (1-4 sprays; 50-200 μL/day) and once-daily finasteride 1 mg oral tablet were similar when administered for 24 weeks (mean change from baseline, 20.2 vs. 21.1 hairs/cm² ). Additionally, a double-blind, randomized trial compared the efficacies of twice-daily finasteride 1% topical gel and once-daily finasteride 1 mg oral tablet for six months, and found similar results in both groups. Also, a combination of topical minoxidil and topical finasteride may enhance efficacy. Topical finasteride reduces both scalp and plasma DHT levels. In an open-label pharmacodynamic study, a seven-day treatment of twice-daily finasteride 0.25% topical solution and once-daily finasteride 1 mg oral tablet provided similar inhibition of plasma DHT. Topical finasteride reduces the potential for systemic side effects, including the risk of sexual dysfunction. The side effects are localized to the application site, for example, scalp pruritus, burning sensation, irritation, contact dermatitis, and erythema. Topical finasteride may be an alternative for those concerned about the oral formulation's systemic side effects.

A randomized clinical trial on therapeutic effects of 0.25 mg oral minoxidil tablets on treatment of female pattern hair loss

Topical minoxidil solution is recommended treatment for female pattern hair loss. However, some complications, such as skin allergies, have prevented some patients from completely receiving this treatment. This study intends to evaluate the therapeutic and side effects of oral minoxidil 0.25 mg tablets treatment on FPHL and compare it with conventional treatment of 2% topical minoxidil. This study is a triple-blind randomized clinical trial in which 72 women with FPHL were treated as two separate groups. Group 1 was treated with oral minoxidil 0.25 mg tablets and topical placebo solution, while topical minoxidil solutions and oral placebo tablets were used to treat group 2 patients. In the oral minoxidil group, the average hair diameter and hair density after the 9-month treatment reached from 0.044 mm and 102 per cm² to 0.048 mm and 115 per cm² , respectively. In the topical minoxidil group, the average hair diameter and hair density from initial values of 0.044 mm and 107 per cm² increased to 0.047 mm and 113 per cm² . In both groups, the changes of hair diameter and hair density were significant compared to initial values (p < 0.001), while the trend of changes was not statically different between the two groups (p = 0.077, p = 0.674 for hair diameter and hair density, respectively) and side effects were trivial. In conclusion, oral minoxidil is an effective and new treatment for FPHL, even with a minimal dose, which can be used as an alternative treatment, especially for patients with poor compliance against topical minoxidil.

Severe hypertrichosis in infants due to transdermic exposure to 5% and 7% topical minoxidil

We report three cases of severe hypertrichosis in healthy infants, who did not present any type of endocrinological pathology and whose parents used topical minoxidil for the treatment of their baldness. Any type of direct application or administration of the product was ruled out. Hypertrichosis is considered to have occurred through skin-to-skin contact with the parent, and even through fomites. Given the widespread use of topical minoxidil, it is likely that this etiology of childhood hypertrichosis is underdiagnosed and that it sometimes leads to minimal forms that go unnoticed.

Topical and oral minoxidil for hair disorders in pediatric patients: What do we know so far?

Minoxidil is a strong arterial vasodilator, first introduced as an antihypertensive medication. In dermatology, topical minoxidil (TMX) has been used for many types of alopecia. TMX is not FDA-approved in patients under 18 years old and there are no guidelines for its pediatric use. Low-dose oral minoxidil (OMX) has been used off-label for hair loss treatment in adults expecting to achieve better therapeutic compliance and greater clinical efficacy. However, little is known about TMX and OMX in pediatric population. the literature presented on TMX and OMX in children to date was reviewed. The terms "minoxidil", "child", "children", "childhood", and "infant" were used to perform a literature search in MEDLINE through PubMed. The search was limited to articles about humans and available in English. While 25 relevant articles were selected, duplicate titles were excluded. This article pointed out the use of minoxidil in several pediatric hair diseases. Even when used topically, dermatologists should be aware of potential risks of systemic absorption. In particular situations, OMX in very low doses may be considered. To date, there are no guidelines regarding the ideal dose or minimum age for using the drug topically or systemically.

The clinical effect of JetpPeel-assisted topical minoxidil in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia: A randomized pilot study

OBJECTIVE

We used JetPeel, combined with topical minoxidil to treat patients with AGA, in order to observe whether the JetPeel can accelerate the recovery of the disease and find a new method for AGA treatment.

METHOD

Thirty patients who met the standard were included in the study. The patients were randomly divided into three groups. The first group was treated with JetPeel-assisted topical minoxidil. The second group received topical minoxidil monotherapy. The third group was not given any treatment. We used objective evaluation (amount and diameter of hair, oil secretion level) and subjective evaluation (hair growth score marked by dermatologist and patient) to evaluate the hair growth condition before treatment and every other month. The calculated p values of less than 0.05 were accepted as significant.

RESULT

All of the 30 patients finished the study. There was no difference in age, sex, and duration and severity of the disease among groups prior to treatment (p > 0.05). And there was greater improvement in scores of hair growth in the first group compared to the second and third group, which was statistically significant (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Compared with topical minoxidil monotherapy, JetPeel-assisted topical minoxidil is more effective during the treatment of androgenetic alopecia.

Topical minoxidil fortified with finasteride: An account of maintenance of hair density after replacing oral finasteride

Background:

Finasteride acts by reducing dihydrotestosterone levels, thereby inhibiting miniaturization of hair follicles in patients with androgenetic alopecia (AGA). Oral finasteride is associated with side effects such as decreased libido, sexual dysfunction, and gynecomastia.

Aim:

The aim of the following study is to assess the efficacy of maintaining hair growth with 5% topical minoxidil fortified with 0.1% finasteride in patients with AGA after initial treatment with 5% topical minoxidil and oral finasteride for two years.

Materials and Methods:

A retrospective assessment was done in 50 male patients aged 20-40 years with AGA. All the patients had been initially treated with topical minoxidil and oral finasteride for a period of two years, after which the oral finasteride was replaced with topical minoxidil fortified with finasteride. Five of 50 patients had discontinued the treatment for a period of 8-12 months and were then resumed with only topical minoxidil fortified with finasteride. The patients’ case sheets and photographs were reviewed by independent observers and the efficacy of minoxidil-finasteride combination was assessed.

Results:

Of the 45 patients who underwent a continuous treatment for AGA, 84.44% maintained a good hair density with topical minoxidil-finasteride combinatio. Of the five patients who discontinued oral finasteride for 8-12 months, four demonstrated good improvement in hair density when treatment was resumed with topical minoxidil-finasteride combination.

Conclusion:

Topical finasteride can be considered for hair density maintenance after initial improvement with oral finasteride, thereby obviating the indefinite use of oral finasteride.