Low-dose oral minoxidil is safe and effective for treating hair loss, with most side effects being mild and reversible.
January 2017 in “Clinical approaches and procedures in cosmetic dermatology” Retinoids are effective for skin conditions like severe acne and psoriasis but must be used with caution due to potential side effects and risks during pregnancy.
March 2008 in “Aging health” Docetaxel is safe and works well for older people with cancer, with manageable side effects.
480 citations
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August 2014 in “Nature Biotechnology” Changing the environment around stem cells could help tissue repair, but it's hard to be precise and avoid side effects.
104 citations
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November 1978 in “JAMA” The Protein-Sparing Modified Fast is effective for rapid weight loss and maintaining it, but requires medical supervision and can have side effects.
26 citations
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December 2019 in “Neurobiology of Stress” Post-finasteride syndrome causes lasting sexual, neurological, and physical side effects in some people after taking finasteride.
24 citations
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September 2020 in “Dermatology and therapy” Oral minoxidil 5 mg daily increases hair growth safely in men with hair loss, with minor side effects.
20 citations
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March 2005 in “Current Medicinal Chemistry” New compounds show promise for treating hair loss, enlarged prostate, and prostate cancer, with some being more effective and having different side effects than current treatments.
19 citations
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August 2007 in “Seminars in Plastic Surgery” Newer skin resurfacing lasers reduce damage and scarring, with some approved for safe use and minimal side effects.
14 citations
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October 2019 in “International Journal of Women's Health” Menopausal acne is treated with medications and lifestyle changes, but careful choice is needed due to side effects.
14 citations
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September 2015 in “Expert Opinion on Therapeutic Targets” The conclusion is that while oral contraceptive pills are effective for PCOS-related high androgen levels, new treatments with fewer side effects are needed.
4 citations
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February 2011 in “Nature Reviews Endocrinology” Metformin and thiazolidinediones are similarly effective for PCOS, but metformin is often preferred due to fewer side effects.
3 citations
,
July 2011 in “Expert Review of Dermatology” Effective treatments for excessive hair growth in women include creams, laser therapy, and medications, with the choice depending on individual needs and potential side effects.
July 2025 in “Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry” Plant-based therapies, like Aloe Vera and Cinnamon, may help manage PCOS symptoms with fewer side effects.
May 2023 in “Metabolites” Myo-inositol plus α-lactalbumin works better than myo-inositol alone for improving symptoms of PCOS.
Hormonal treatments can help with hair loss, acne, and excess hair growth, but it takes 3-6 months to see results and patients should know the possible side effects.
45 citations
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January 2008 in “Drugs” Dutasteride effectively treats enlarged prostate, reduces prostate cancer risk, and promotes hair regrowth with few side effects.
40 citations
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May 1999 in “Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology” Treat hair loss with finasteride, minoxidil, or surgery; consider side effects and severity.
17 citations
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November 1997 in “Andrology” Finasteride effectively treats enlarged prostate and male baldness, improves symptoms of hirsutism in women, but doesn't work for acne, and may delay prostate cancer progression with few side effects.
12 citations
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July 2020 in “Dermatologic Therapy” Minoxidil, applied on the skin or taken orally, can improve hair growth in kids, but more research is needed due to possible side effects.
12 citations
,
September 2003 in “Current paediatrics” Early treatment of acne is important to prevent scarring and improve appearance, using medications that can have side effects.
7 citations
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October 2018 in “Dermatology practical & conceptual” Topical oxygen therapy may improve treatments for hair loss, acne, and chronic skin diseases with minimal side effects.
5 citations
,
December 1979 in “Clinical and Experimental Dermatology” Anti-androgens are effective for female acne but less so for male-pattern hair loss, with side effects similar to birth control pills.
2 citations
,
April 2016 in “Más dermatología” The supplement with Serenoa repens and Pygeum africanum significantly increased active hair growth and decreased rest phase hair in post-menopausal women with hair loss, with only mild digestive side effects.
2 citations
,
August 1987 in “Australasian Journal of Dermatology” Birth control pills can cause skin issues but may help with acne and hirsutism, and choosing the right type can minimize side effects.
1 citations
,
May 2007 in “International Journal of Dermatology” Minoxidil, when applied to the scalp, can stimulate hair growth but effects vary, stop if treatment ends, and it may cause side effects like fluid retention.
160 citations
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January 2009 in “Clinical Drug Investigation” HairMax LaserComb® effectively promotes hair growth and stops hair loss in males with androgenetic alopecia, with no serious side effects.
70 citations
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February 2021 in “International Journal of Molecular Sciences” Fat-derived stem cells, platelet-rich plasma, and biomaterials show promise for healing chronic skin wounds and improving soft tissue with few side effects.
54 citations
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May 2017 in “Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy” Edible seeds from the Cucurbitaceae family like pumpkin and watermelon seeds are nutritious and may have health benefits, but eating too much can cause side effects.
48 citations
,
November 2017 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology” Tofacitinib 2% ointment helped hair regrow in 3 out of 10 patients with alopecia areata, but caused side effects like scalp irritation and raised cholesterol in some.