The efficacy of topical minoxidil (MX) alone on female pattern hair loss (FPHL) is limited. Combination therapy based on topical MX is currently expected to provide better outcomes.
This study aimed to assess whether the combined therapies including MX plus oral spironolactone (SPT) and MX plus microneedling (MN) have advantages in efficacy and safety over topical MX alone on mild-to-moderate FPHL with normal hormone levels in the blood and regular menstrual cycle.
A prospective, single-center, parallel-group, evaluator blinded, randomized trial including 120 non-menopause women with proven FPHL (Sinclair class II-III) was performed in China. Patients were randomly assigned to three groups, namely, the MX group (5% topical MX alone, once daily), the MX + SPT group (MX plus SPT 80–100 mg daily), and the MX+MN group (MX plus MN every 2 weeks, 12 sessions). The change from the baseline to week 24 was assessed in hair growth (hair density and diameter under dermoscope), scalp tissue structure (epidermal thickness, dermis thickness, and average hair follicle diameter under ultrasound biomicroscopy), physician's global assessment (using a 7-point global-assessment scale and Sinclair's stage change), patient evaluation (Women's Androgenetic Alopecia Quality of Life Questionnaire and Sinclair's hair-shedding score) and side effects.
In total, 115 participants completed the trial. At week 24, the hair density increased most in MX + MN group and increased least in MX group (
The main limitations of this study are the relatively small sample size, the exclusion of severe FPHL patients, and the potential bias from unblinded treatments among the 3 groups.
Topical MX combined with MN is a better choice than either MX plus oral SPT or MX alone for the treatment of mild-to-moderate FPHL patients.