Clinical effect of microneedle combined with topical minoxidil in the treatment of male androgenetic alopecia
10.3760/cma.j.cn114453-20240825-00220
- VernacularTitle:微针联合外用5%米诺地尔酊治疗男性雄激素性脱发的临床效果观察
- Author:
Chongxiang FAN
1
;
Xifei QIAN
;
Zhounan JIANG
;
Hanxiao CHENG
;
Jufang ZHANG
Author Information
1. 浙江中医药大学，杭州 310052
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Alopecia;
Androgenetic alopecia;
Minoxidil;
Finasteride;
Microneedle
- From:
Chinese Journal of Plastic Surgery
2025;41(4):382-389
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To investigate the efficacy of microneedling combined with topical 5% minoxidil tincture in the treatment of male androgenetic alopecia (AGA).Methods:This study was a prospective study. Male patients with newly diagnosed androgenetic alopecia at the Medical Cosmetic Center, Affiliated Hangzhou First People’s Hospital Westlake University School of Medicine, from April 2022 to April 2024 were selected. Age and BASP score were used as matching variables, and every 3 cases were matched as a group. In the study group, 1.0 mm microneedle combined with topical 5% minoxidil tincture was used for 2-3 times of acupuncture operation in the hair loss area, and then about 1 ml of 5% minoxidil tincture was applied to the scalp to promote absorption. From the second day, about 1 ml of 5% minoxidil tincture was evenly sprayed on the hair roots of the scalp in the hair loss area and massaged until absorption, once in the morning and evening every day. Control group 1 was evenly sprayed with 5% minoxidil tincture on the hair roots of the alopecia area, once a day in the morning and evening, about 1 ml each time. Patients in control group 2 received oral finasteride 1 mg once daily. The three groups were treated for 13 weeks, and adverse reactions were recorded during the treatment. Before and immediately after 13 weeks of treatment, the final hair density, velus hair density, hair follicle density, hair shaft average diameter, single hair follicle density and double hair follicle density of the three groups were measured by dermoscopy. Paired sample t-test was used for statistical analysis. After 13 weeks of treatment, the above measurement indexes of study group, control group 1 and control group 2 were analyzed by LSD multiple comparison method. Results:A total of 99 male patients were enrolled, with 33 in the study group [mean age: (31.6 ± 5.8) years, range: 18-45], 33 in control group 1[mean age: (31.7 ± 5.6) years, range: 20-44], and 33 in control group 2 [mean age: (32.2 ± 5.4 )years, range: 19-45].In the study group, three patients experienced transient pain in the treated areas during and after microneedling, which resolved spontaneously within two hours. Two patients developed scalp flaking three days post-treatment, which improved with increased washing frequency and targeted shampoo selection. No significant adverse reactions were observed in control groups 1 and 2.After 13 weeks of treatment, significant increases were observed in the study group compared to baseline for terminal hair density [(104.5 ± 29.6) hairs/cm 2 vs. (72.5 ± 27.9) hairs/cm 2], mean hair shaft diameter [(53.6 ± 11.4) μm vs. (45.7 ± 12.9) μm], follicular unit density [(71.4 ± 18.5) units/cm 2 vs. (57.8 ± 17.4) units/cm 2], and single-hair follicular unit density [(46.7 ± 11.1) units/cm 2 vs. (31.4 ± 12.3) units/cm 2], all with statistically significant differences ( P < 0.05). Control group 1 also showed significant increases in terminal hair density [(87.3 ± 24.5) hairs/cm 2 vs. (70.7 ± 26.0) hairs/cm 2], vellus hair density [(55.3 ± 13.9) hairs/cm 2 vs. (30.2 ± 8.8) hairs/cm 2], follicular unit density [(58.9 ± 17.1) units/cm 2 vs. (52.6 ± 15.5) units/cm 2], mean hair shaft diameter [(52.8 ± 15.7) μm vs. (50.1 ± 16.0) μm], and single-hair follicular unit density [(40.1 ± 11.1) units/cm 2 vs. (34.2 ± 12.0) units/cm 2], all with statistically significant differences ( P < 0.05).Control group 2 showed significant improvements in terminal hair density [(106.3 ± 22.5) hairs/cm 2 vs. (73.7 ± 26.9) hairs/cm 2], follicular unit density [(68.4 ± 18.1) units/cm 2 vs. (53.7 ± 15.4) units/cm 2], mean hair shaft diameter [(57.9 ± 16.2) μm vs. (50.6 ± 15.7) μm], single-hair follicular unit density [(48.1 ± 11.5) units/cm 2 vs. (34.2 ± 12.6) units/cm 2], and double-hair follicular unit density [(23.5 ± 6.4) units/cm 2 vs. (17.2 ± 6.8) units/cm 2], all with statistically significant differences ( P < 0.05). When comparing post-treatment outcomes, the study group exhibited significantly higher terminal hair density, vellus hair density, mean hair shaft diameter, follicular unit density, and single-hair follicular unit density than control group 1, while vellus hair density was significantly lower ( P < 0.05). The study group and control group 2 showed no statistically significant differences in most parameters except for double-hair follicular unit density, which was significantly lower in the study group ( P< 0.05). Conclusion:Microneedling combined with topical 5% minoxidil tincture is an effective treatment for male androgenetic alopecia, demonstrating significant improvements in hair density, follicular unit density, and hair shaft thickness.
