Comparative study of the effect of topical minoxidil 5% versus combined fractional CO2 laser and topical minoxidil 5% in treatment of male androgenetic alopecia

Abstract

Background: Male androgenetic alopecia (MAA) is the most common hair problem among men. Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a non-scarring progressive miniaturization of the hair follicle with a usual characteristic pattern of distribution in genetically predisposed men and women. Objective: To compare between the efficacy of topical minoxidil 5% alone and combined topical minoxidil 5% and fractional laser in treatment of male androgenic alopecia and detection of any side effects occurring with each line of treatment. Patients and Methods: This prospective randomized comparative controlled study was conducted for one year on 40 patients with male androgenic alopecia attending to out Patient Clinic of Dermatology, Andrology and STDs Department, Mansoura University Hospitals. Patients were classified into two groups: Group A received minoxidil alone (minoxidil group) and group B where patients received minoxidil plus fractional CO₂ laser.
Results: In group A and B, there was a statistically significant improvement between the clinical assessment scale at baseline and after 1 month (p<0.001). Also, there was a statistically significant improvement between the clinical assessment scale after 1 month and after 3 months (p=0.002). In group A, there was a statistically significant improvement between the clinical assessment scale at baseline and after 1 month, however, there was no statistically significant improvement between the clinical assessment scale after 1 month and after 3 months. In group B, there was a statistically significant improvement between the clinical assessment scale at baseline and after 1 month, however, also, there was a statistically significant improvement between the clinical assessment scale after 1 month and after 3 months. Conclusion: Our study revealed the superiority of combination therapy, using a fractional laser and 5% minoxidil, over 5% minoxidil alone, for the treatment of male AGA, with no serious adverse effects of treatment identified.