Efficacy and safety of 10% topical minoxidil, oral finasteride and microneedling in Male Pattern Baldness

Introduction: There are only few studies with combined treatment for Male Pattern Baldness (MPB) and all of them showed superior efficacy as compared to monotherapies. To the best of our knowledge, no study has been done in past using 10% topical minoxidil as a part of combination therapy. Aims: To study the safety and efficacy of topical 10% minoxidil, oral finasteride and microneedling in male pattern baldness. Materials and Method: In this non randomized uncontrolled trial, 25 patients of MPB with age ranged between 20 to 35 years with Hamilton grade II to VII were included. Patients were treated with tab finasteride 1mg once daily + 10% topical minoxidil 1ml twice daily for 6 months. Microneedling was done once in 15 days for 6 months. Assessment of treatment response was done by using patient's satisfactory grading scale of 0- 4. Physician assessment of hair growth was done by using 5 point scale with pre & post clinical photographs, and Trichoscan for assessment of hair shaft diameter and density was done at baseline and at the end of 6 months. Patients were monitored for possible side effects of this combine therapy. Statistical analysis was done using chi-square test. Results: Patient satisfactory grade revealed that out of 25 patients who completed the study duration 12 patients had grade 4 satisfaction, 10 patients had grade 3 satisfaction and 3 patients had grade 2 satisfactions. On physician assessment scale, excellent improvement was seen in 9 patients, 12 patients showed moderate improvement and in 4 patients mild improvement was noted. Major side effects were not noted in any patient. Limitation: Futher studies with large sample size are needed. Conclusions: This combination therapy was effective with moderate to excellent response in majority of patients with high patient satisfactory grade at the end of 6 months without any side effects.