75712 Clinical Effectiveness of Complementary and Alternate Therapies for Androgenetic Alopecia

This review explores the clinical effectiveness of complementary and alternative therapies for androgenetic alopecia, a common form of hair loss. While finasteride and minoxidil are the only FDA-approved treatments, their side effects and inconsistent results have led to interest in non-pharmacologic options. These include physical modalities like low-level laser therapy and platelet-rich plasma, as well as botanical 5-alpha reductase inhibitors such as rosemary oil, pumpkin seed oil, and saw palmetto. Rosemary oil is highlighted as a particularly promising and cost-effective option. These alternative therapies are generally well-tolerated and may offer anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits, though scientific evidence supporting their efficacy varies.