FOLLISCOPIC EVALUATION OF MINOXIDIL INJECTION IN ANDROGENETIC ALOPECIA

Abstract

SUMMARY A ndrogenetic alopecia (AGA) is the most common form of hair loss disorders affecting both genders. The prevalence of AGA increases with age. It is caused by hair cycle dynamics alterations and progressive follicular miniaturization accompanied with androgens and genetic predisposition. AGA was only diagnosed clinically on the other hand recently trichoscopy is superior to all investigative methods. Trichoscopy means scalp and hair dermoscopy by using a handheld device that usually has a zooming inbuilt camera and analysis software. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of both minoxidil and mesohair intradermal injections in patients suffering from AGA. We also assessed folliscope 2.8 as a new trichoscope used to diagnose AGA in addition to clinical diagnosis. This study aimed to standardize using folliscope 2.8 in following up and monitoring all AGA treatment plans. The current study is a prospective case control study that included 30 subjects, 15 male and 15 female patients. All patients complained of progressive hair thinning All patients were photo documented before and after treatment. Ten patients were injected with minoxidil and folliscopic images were taken each session for the frontal area of the scalp. And the same was done to the mesohair group and the control group. Injection was performed manually ( not by dermojet or mesogun) every 2 cm deep intra dermally in the frontal area of the scalp once weekly for 4 weeks then once every 2 weeks for 8 weeks then once monthly for 2 months. The frontal area in each patient was assessed in each session at weeks 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12 and 24. All hair parameters (density, caliber, volume, and anagen/telogen ratio and terminal / vellus hair) were collected from folliscpoe 2.8 software then analyzed in to excel sheet. Our results revealed that most of the hair parameters measured by folliscope 2.8 specially hair caliber were statistically higher after both minoxidil and mesohair intradermal injection patients compared to control subjects.to be more precise, minoxidil group showed significantly higher results than both mesohair and control groups. There was no significant change in results between male and females. In conclusion, our results suggest that intradermal minoxidil injection proved to be superior to all treatment modalities in AGA including mesohair. We highly recommend using folliscope 2.8 as an advanced aid in clinical dermatological diagnosis and a great follow up tool. Further studies are still recommended on a large number of patients in a trial to identify more uses of folliscope 2.8 and more medications to treat AGA.