October 2025 in “International Journal of Dermatology”
Baricitinib is a safe and effective treatment for alopecia areata, with better results in patients with lower initial severity, shorter disease duration, and longer treatment.
The authors suggest that 5-α-reductase inhibitors, like dutasteride, are effective in treating frontal fibrosing alopecia and should be the first-line treatment, with other options for severe cases. They also recommend further research on Janus kinase inhibitors.
A 25-year-old who started losing hair at 16 and reached almost NW7 by 20 saw hair regrowth using a regimen including dutasteride, minoxidil, nizoral, and a dermaroller, along with supplements like biotin, zinc, and omega-3. After initial success, they experienced shedding, added more supplements and treatments, and sought advice on whether to continue; responses encouraged them to persist as shedding is often part of the hair regrowth cycle.
A 27-year-old shared progress pictures after 5 months of oral finasteride and 3 months of topical minoxidil, noting initial shedding and a switch from fake to real minoxidil. Responses were positive, with users expressing admiration and some asking about shedding.
The conversation is about a user sharing their 40-day progress using dutasteride, topical Minoxidil, keto shampoo, and dermapen for hair loss, seeking opinions on whether the results are real or a placebo effect. Most responses suggest it's too early to see significant results and recommend continuing the treatment for 6-12 months for noticeable changes.
Finasteride may cause hair shedding as part of the regrowth process, but there are no controlled trials confirming this. The shedding idea is mostly based on anecdotal reports and comparisons to how minoxidil works.
Minoxidil's effectiveness is limited by the need for sulfation and proper transport to hair follicles, with tretinoin potentially enhancing its effects by promoting enzyme activity and keratinocyte differentiation. Tretinoin may improve minoxidil's response by boosting the expression of necessary enzymes and transporters.