Topical cetirizine shows higher clinical improvement for female androgenetic alopecia

The study included sixty-six patients with female AGA aged 20-50 years, Sinclair (II–IV). The trichoscopic parameters, side effects, patients' self-assessment, and global photographic assessment were evaluated. They were randomly assigned to either group 1 or 2 for 24 weeks.

The authors reported the following findings:

· There was a statistically significant change from baseline in frontal and vertex terminal and vellus hair density with a significant increase in vertex hair shaft thickness and an average number of hairs per follicular unit in group 1.

· Patients reported significantly better scores in patient self-assessment in group 1.

· Side effects were not significantly different between groups.

To conclude, cetirizine may lead to clinical improvement in FAGA and increases shaft thickness with no side effects making it a potential therapy for FAGA.

"Pharmacokinetic studies on dose-dependent hair growth and its bioavailability in follicular hair sheath are recommended along with studies to evaluate the drug's exact mechanism of action, the efficacy of its oral dosage form and other H1-blockers, and its effectiveness in other alopecia types," the researchers wrote. More studies are required to determine whether topical cetirizine alone or oral cetirizine is effective.

Reference:

Bassiouny, E.A., El-Samanoudy, S.I., Abbassi, M.M. et al. Comparison between topical cetirizine with minoxidil versus topical placebo with minoxidil in female androgenetic alopecia: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Arch Dermatol Res (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00403-022-02512-2