Clinical & Experimental Dermatology

Biography

Biography: Rachita Dhurat

Abstract

Introduction – Androgenetic alopecia (AGA), is the most common type of alopecia in men, which is an androgen mediated event . Finasteride and minoxidil, which show cosmetically acceptable new hair growth in modest percentage of patients. Materials and Method: Hundred cases of AGA were recruited into weekly microneedling treatment with twice daily 5% minoxidil lotion (Microneedling group); other group was given only 5 % minoxidil lotion. The 3 primary efficacy parameters assessed were: hair count , patient assessment and 7- point evaluation scale.A stereotactic positioning device was used. . Microneedling Procedure – A dermaroller of 1.5 mm sized needles was rolled over the affected areas of the scalp till mild erythema was noted. All patients were instructed not to apply minoxidil on the day of procedure. Results: 1. Hair counts The mean change in hair count at week 12 was significantly greater for the Microneedling group compared to the Minoxidil group P< 0.05 2.Investigator evaluation Forty patients in Microneedling group had +2 to +3 response on 7-point visual analogue scale, while none showed the same response in the Minoxidil group. 3. Patient evaluation In the Microneedling group, 41(82%) patients reported more than 50% improvement versus only 2 (4.5%) patients in the Minoxidil group. Unsatisfied patients to conventional therapy for AGA got good response with Microneedling treatment. Other notable findings during the study period were - Initiation of new hair growth was noticeable by around 6 weeks in Microneedling group and by 10 weeks in Minoxidil group. Rapid growth in the existing hair was seen at week 1 in the Microneedling group than Minoxidil group. Conclusion: Dermaroller along with Minoxidil treated group was statistically superior to Minoxidil treated group in promoting hair growth in men with AGA for all 3 primary efficacy measures of hair growth. Microneedling is a safe and a promising tool in hair stimulation and also is useful to treat hair loss refractory to Minoxidil therapy. This is the first study of use of microneedling in male androgenetic alopecia.