Combination Therapy Shows Promise for Androgenic Alopecia
A recent study suggests that a combination of topical finasteride and minoxidil may be more effective than minoxidil alone in treating male pattern androgenic alopecia.
“Several treatment options are available for androgenic alopecia in men. Medications such as minoxidil and finasteride are commonly used,” researchers stated. “It is important to note that while these treatments can be effective in slowing down hair loss and promoting hair growth, individual results may vary.”
Study Design and Results
The study involved 164 participants randomly assigned to two groups. One group used the combination therapy, while the other group received only minoxidil. Both groups had a mean Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) score of 1.8 at the start. After three months, those using the combination saw greater improvement. Their mean SALT score improved to 2.9, compared with an improvement to 2.7 in the monotherapy group.
Significant hair growth was observed in 86.7% of the combination therapy group compared to 69.1% in the monotherapy group. Notably, 100% of the combination group with vertex involvement exhibited efficacy. This compared to 55.6% efficacy in the monotherapy group. A trend towards increased efficacy was observed with occipital involvement as well; however, the difference between the two treatment groups with respect to parietal and frontal involvement was not significant.
Based on these findings, researchers concluded that “clinicians should consider combination therapy as a potential treatment option for patients with androgenic alopecia.”
How do men typically weigh the emotional impact of hair loss against the potential risks of new treatments?
This study points to a potentially exciting new approach to treating androgenic alopecia. But with any new treatment, there are questions. Do you think men, facing the often-emotional challenge of hair loss, will be willing to try a new combination therapy, especially if it comes with the possibility of additional side effects?
