| TITLE |
IMPROVEMENT IN ANDROGENETIC ALOPECIA (STAGE V) USING TOPICAL
MINOXIDIL IN A RETINOID VEHICLE AND ORAL FINASTERIDE |
| ABSTRACT FROM: |
Arch Dermatol, Vol 131, December 1995, p.1,373 |
| AUTHOR |
Douglas S. Walsh; Cary L. Dunn; William D. James |
| THE ARTICLE TALKS ABOUT: |
- This article talks about the treatment given to a 32 year old man
who is in Stage V of the Hamilton scale of male pattern baldness.
- The patient was instructed to receive the following treatment as
a trial: 6-12 month period of topical minoxidil combined with retinoid twice per day and
5mg finasteride taken orally daily.
- The topical lotion is made up of 3% minoxidil and 0.01%
tretinoin. Each application is 1 ml.
- After following the treatment for about 8 - 12 months, the
patient has improved from Stage V to Stage III of the Hamilton scale.
- Research has shown that finasteride can reduce the level of DHT
in bald scalp. DHT is known to be the main cause of hair loss and is formed when the
enzyme 5-alpha reductase interacts with the male hormone testosterone. Research also shows
that finasteride generate little side effects to human, although about 5% of the patients
experienced a decrease in libido and sex drive. However, women considering conceiving are
cautioned against using finasteride as it may affect the fetus development. It is
suggested that at least 6 months of treatment is required for maximum results to appear.
- Exactly how minoxidil grows hair is not known. It has been
suggested that minoxidil grows hair by stimulating the blood circulation of the scalp.
- Studies have shown that using minoxidil in conjunction with
tretinoin increases the potency of minoxidil, possibly due to an increased minoxidil
absorption in the scalp. Clinical studies have shown that using tretinoin simultaneously
with minoxidil is three times more effective than using minoxidil alone.
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