Randomized trial of electrodynamic microneedle combined with 5% minoxidil topical solution for the treatment of Chinese male Androgenetic alopecia

• Published in: Journal of cosmetic and laser therapy 2020-01, Vol.22 (1), p.1-7
• Main Authors: Bao, Linlin, Gong, Lin, Guo, Menger, Liu, Taoming, Shi, Anyu, Zong, Haifeng, Xu, Xuegang, Chen, Hongduo, Gao, Xinghua, Li, Yuanhong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Alopecia - drug therapy; Double-Blind Method; Electric Stimulation Therapy - methods; Hair - drug effects; Hair - growth & development; Humans; Injections, Intradermal - methods; Male; Middle Aged; Minoxidil - administration & dosage; Needles; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 1476-4172; 1476-4180
• DOI: 10.1080/14764172.2017.1376094

: In treating androgenetic alopecia, 5% minoxidil is a commonly used topical drug. By using electrodynamic microneedle at the same time may increase absorption of minoxidil and further stimulate hair growth. : A 24-week, randomized, evaluator blinded, comparative study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of treating Chinese male androgenetic alopecia using microneedle combined with 5% minoxidil topical solution. Methods: Randomized subjects received topical 5% minoxidil (group 1,  = 20), local electrodynamic microneedle treatments (group 2,  = 20), or local electrodynamic microneedle treatments plus topical 5% minoxidil (group 3,  = 20). A total of 12 microneedle treatments were performed every 2 weeks with 2ml 5% minoxidil delivery in group three during each microneedle treatment. Patient receiving topical 5% minoxidil applied 1 ml of the solution twice daily over the course of the study. A total of 60 Chinese male subjects with Norwood-Hamilton type III-VI androgenetic alopecia were treated. : The mean improvement in total hair density from baseline to 24 weeks was 18.8/cm in group 1, 23.4/cm in group 2, and 38.3/cm in group 3. The hair growth in the three groups was significantly different (  = 0.002), but there were no significant differences in toxicity found between the three groups. : Treatment with microneedle plus topical 5% minoxidil was associated with the best hair growth.