From the Guidelines
Polyphil is not a recognized treatment for anterior hairline recession in male pattern baldness, and instead, treatments such as finasteride, minoxidil, and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections have shown efficacy in promoting hair growth and reducing hair loss. For male pattern baldness, including receding hairlines, the FDA-approved treatments are finasteride (1mg daily oral tablet) and minoxidil (typically 5% topical solution applied twice daily to the scalp) 1. Finasteride works by blocking the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is responsible for hair follicle miniaturization, while minoxidil enhances blood flow to the follicles and prolongs the growth phase of hair.
Key Findings
- A study published in 2025 found that PRP injection combined with topical 5% minoxidil therapy is safe and effective for treating male pattern baldness 1.
- Another study from 2025 compared PRP to minoxidil therapy and found that PRP combined with topical minoxidil was the most effective treatment modality, while PRP alone and topical minoxidil alone were more effective than placebo 1.
- The same study found that PRP monotherapy was more effective than minoxidil monotherapy in most studies, although one study found them to be equally effective 1.
Treatment Options
- Finasteride (1mg daily oral tablet)
- Minoxidil (typically 5% topical solution applied twice daily to the scalp)
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections
- Low-level laser therapy
Important Considerations
- Any treatment for male pattern baldness requires consistent long-term use, and discontinuation typically results in return of hair loss.
- Consulting with a dermatologist is recommended before starting any hair loss treatment regimen.
- PRP injection combined with topical 5% minoxidil therapy is a promising treatment option for anterior hairline recession in male pattern baldness, with studies showing significant increases in hair density and hair growth 1.
From the Research
Polyphil for Anterior Hair Line Recession in Male Pattern Baldness
- There is no direct evidence in the provided studies to support the effectiveness of Polyphil for anterior hair line recession in male pattern baldness.
- However, the studies suggest that other treatments such as minoxidil, finasteride, and low-level laser therapy are effective for promoting hair growth in men with androgenetic alopecia 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- A systematic review and meta-analysis found that minoxidil, finasteride, and low-level laser light therapy are effective for promoting hair growth in men with androgenetic alopecia 3.
- Another study found that low-level laser therapy appears to be effective for treating pattern hair loss in both men and women, with good safety profiles and only minor adverse effects reported 4.
- A randomized controlled trial found that low-level laser therapy combined with topical 5% minoxidil did not show a significant difference in improvement in hair density compared to topical 5% minoxidil used alone 5.
- A network meta-analysis found that low-level laser therapy was the superior treatment, and platelet-rich plasma, finasteride, and minoxidil were approximately equivalent in mean change hair count following treatment 6.