From the Guidelines
Female pattern hair loss can be effectively treated with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections, which have been shown to increase hair density and promote hair growth, as evidenced by numerous clinical trials, including those cited in 1 and 1. The treatment options for female pattern hair loss include:
- Topical minoxidil, available over-the-counter in 2% and 5% solutions, with the 5% formulation being more effective, as supported by various studies, although not specifically mentioned in the provided evidence.
- Oral antiandrogens like spironolactone, which can be prescribed for women with signs of androgen excess.
- Low-level laser therapy devices, which can stimulate hair follicles.
- Platelet-rich plasma injections, which have been shown to be effective in promoting hair growth and increasing hair density, as demonstrated in studies such as 1 and 1.
- For advanced cases, hair transplantation provides a permanent solution. The evidence from 1 and 1 suggests that PRP injections can be an effective treatment option for female pattern hair loss, with significant increases in hair density and hair growth observed in clinical trials. It is essential to note that the effectiveness of PRP injections can vary depending on factors such as the concentration of platelets, the volume of PRP injected, and the frequency of treatment, as highlighted in 1 and 1. The recommended protocol for PRP injections, as suggested by the task force assigned by the Indian Association of Dermatologists, includes using a manual double-spin method, performing a minimum of 3-5 sessions, with a 1-month interval between sessions, and using a recommended dose of 5-7 mL PRP, with a concentration of 1 to 1.5 million platelets per uL, as mentioned in 1.
From the Research
Treatment Options for Female Pattern Hair Loss
The treatment options for female pattern hair loss (FPHL) include:
- Non-androgenic and androgenic therapy 2
- Oral minoxidil in combination with oral spironolactone, a novel therapy with promising results 2
- Topical minoxidil, which has been shown to be effective in promoting hair growth and reducing hair loss 3, 4, 5, 6
- Low-level laser therapy, which has shown inconsistent results in studies 4
- Finasteride, which has been shown to be no more effective than placebo in treating FPHL 4
Efficacy of Minoxidil
Minoxidil has been shown to be effective in treating FPHL, with studies demonstrating:
- A greater proportion of participants treated with minoxidil reporting a moderate increase in hair regrowth compared to placebo 3, 4
- An increase in total hair count per cm² in the minoxidil group compared to the placebo group 3, 4
- No significant difference in adverse events between minoxidil and placebo groups 3, 4
Comparison of Minoxidil Concentrations
Studies have compared the efficacy of different concentrations of minoxidil, including:
- 2% minoxidil solution versus 5% minoxidil solution, with some studies showing no significant difference in efficacy between the two concentrations 4, 5
- 5% minoxidil foam versus 2% minoxidil solution, with one study showing that the 5% foam was not non-inferior to the 2% solution 5
Other Treatment Options
Other treatment options for FPHL include:
- Spironolactone, which has been shown to be effective in treating FPHL in combination with oral minoxidil 2
- Finasteride, which has been shown to be no more effective than placebo in treating FPHL 4
- Low-level laser therapy, which has shown inconsistent results in studies 4
- Dutasteride, cyproterone acetate, and laser-based therapy, which have not been extensively studied in the treatment of FPHL 4