Comparison Between Topical Cetirizine With Minoxidil Versus Topical Placebo With Minoxidil In Female Androgenetic Alopecia: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study

December 2022 in “ Archives of Dermatological Research ”

Eglal A Bassiouny, Solwan I El-Samanoudy, Maggie M Abbassi, Hanan R Nada, Samar F. Farid

cetirizine minoxidil androgenetic alopecia hair density hair shaft thickness follicular unit vertex area Rogaine

TLDR Adding cetirizine to minoxidil improves hair growth and thickness in women with androgenetic alopecia.

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study compared the efficacy and safety of topical cetirizine with minoxidil versus topical placebo with minoxidil in 66 female patients with androgenetic alopecia over 24 weeks. The cetirizine group showed significant improvements in hair density, hair shaft thickness, and the average number of hairs per follicular unit, particularly in the vertex area, compared to the placebo group. Patients in the cetirizine group also reported better self-assessment scores. Side effects were similar between the two groups, indicating that cetirizine is a safe and effective addition to minoxidil for treating female androgenetic alopecia.

View this study on link.springer.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

19 / 19 results

research Measuring Patient Quality of Life Following Treatment for Alopecia

8 citations , July 2021 in “Patient Preference and Adherence”

Alopecia treatments improve life quality but side effects can lessen this benefit; better use of quality of life measures is needed.

research Efficacy of Cetirizine 1% Versus Minoxidil 5% Topical Solution in the Treatment of Male Alopecia: A Randomized, Single-Blind Controlled Study

7 citations , April 2021 in “Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences”

Cetirizine 1% helps hair growth in men with no major side effects, but minoxidil 5% works better.

Comparison of 5% Minoxidil Lotion Monotherapy Versus Its Combination with Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma in Androgenetic Alopecia in One Hundred Males

research Comparison of 5% Minoxidil Lotion Monotherapy Versus Its Combination with Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma in Androgenetic Alopecia in One Hundred Males

3 citations , February 2021 in “Medical journal, Armed Forces India”

Combination therapy promotes better hair growth and density.

research Therapeutic Implications of Topical Cetirizine 1% in Treatment of Male Androgenetic Alopecia: A Case-Controlled Study

5 citations , January 2021 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”

Topical cetirizine 1% promotes hair growth in male androgenetic alopecia patients.

research Female Androgenetic Alopecia: An Update on Diagnosis and Management

43 citations , November 2019 in “American Journal of Clinical Dermatology”

FAGA diagnosis uses blood tests and trichoscopy, with treatments like topical minoxidil, oral anti-androgens, and hormone-modulating drugs.

research A Preliminary Study on Topical Cetirizine in the Therapeutic Management of Androgenetic Alopecia

21 citations , June 2017 in “Journal of Dermatological Treatment”

Topical cetirizine improves hair density and thickness in androgenetic alopecia, but more research is needed.

Low-Level Light and Minoxidil 5% Combination Versus Either Modality Alone in Management of Female Patterned Hair Loss: A Randomized Controlled Study

research Low-Level Light and Minoxidil 5% Combination Versus Either Modality Alone in Management of Female Patterned Hair Loss: A Randomized Controlled Study

34 citations , May 2017 in “Lasers in Surgery and Medicine”

Combining low-level light therapy and minoxidil 5% is more effective for female hair loss than using either treatment alone.

research Topical Cetirizine and Oral Vitamin D: A Valid Treatment for Hypotrichosis Caused by Ectodermal Dysplasia

4 citations , August 2016 in “JEADV. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology/Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

Using cetirizine on the skin and taking vitamin D can help increase hair growth in children with hair loss from ectodermal dysplasia.

research New Investigational Drugs for Androgenetic Alopecia

48 citations , April 2013 in “Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs”

Possible new treatments for common hair loss include drugs, stem cells, and improved transplants.

research Prostaglandin D2 Inhibits Hair Growth and Is Elevated in Bald Scalp of Men with Androgenetic Alopecia

205 citations , March 2012 in “Science Translational Medicine”

PGD2 stops hair growth and is higher in bald men with AGA.

research Female Pattern Hair Loss in Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome

54 citations , February 2010 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Hair loss in women may have causes other than hormones.

research Trichoscopy in the Healthy Female: Method Standardization and Norms for Measurable Parameters

46 citations , April 2009 in “Journal of Dermatological Case Reports”

Researchers established normal hair and scalp characteristics for healthy women using trichoscopy.

research A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial of 5% and 2% Topical Minoxidil Solutions in the Treatment of Female Pattern Hair Loss

219 citations , March 2004 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

5% and 2% minoxidil solutions effectively promote hair growth and reduce hair loss, with 5% being slightly more effective but having more side effects.

A Randomized Clinical Trial of 5% Topical Minoxidil Versus 2% Topical Minoxidil and Placebo in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia in Men

research A Randomized Clinical Trial of 5% Topical Minoxidil Versus 2% Topical Minoxidil and Placebo in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia in Men

269 citations , August 2002 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

5% minoxidil works better for hair growth and density, with minor irritation.

research Molecular Mechanisms of Androgenetic Alopecia

229 citations , August 2002 in “Experimental Gerontology”

AGA causes hair loss by shrinking hair follicles due to DHT binding, and can be treated with finasteride and minoxidil.

A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial to Determine the Effectiveness of Botanically Derived Inhibitors of 5-Alpha-Reductase in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia

research A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial to Determine the Effectiveness of Botanically Derived Inhibitors of 5-Alpha-Reductase in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia

68 citations , April 2002 in “Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine”

Natural 5AR inhibitors effectively improve mild to moderate hair loss in men.

research Psychological Effects of Androgenetic Alopecia on Women: Comparisons with Balding Men and Female Control Subjects

222 citations , October 1993 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Hair loss affects women's mental health more than men's, causing anxiety, low self-esteem, and social insecurity.

research Psychological Characteristics of Women with Androgenetic Alopecia: A Controlled Study

58 citations , September 1991 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Women with AGA often face anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem; psychological support is important.

research Classification of the Types of Androgenetic Alopecia (Common Baldness) Occurring in the Female Sex

666 citations , September 1977 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Common baldness, also known as Androgenetic Alopecia, is caused by a combination of genetic factors and hormones called androgens.