Comparative Study Between 2% Minoxidil Topical Spray vs. Intradermal Injection (Mesotherapy) for Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia in Female Patients: A Controlled, 4-month Randomized Trial

Background: Minoxidil is a direct-acting vasodilator used for a long time to treat androgenetic alopecia as it was found to prolong the anagen phase. The mechanism of action is not fully understood. Mesotherapy is a technique which involves microinjections of conventional medication and/ or vitamins into the mesoderm or the middle layer of the skin. Objective: to compare the effect of minoxidil as topical preparation and as mesotherapy in treatment of female pattern hair loss. Methods: This study was conducted on 60 female patients with androgenetic alopecia and ten normal controls. Thirty patients were treated with minoxidil 2% as topical preparation and 30 were treated with intra-dermal injection of minoxidil 2% by point to point technique into deep intradermal of scalp using a mesogun. Results: The results of this study revealed improvement in both self assessment evaluation and the three parameters gained by trichogram after treatment with minoxidil 2% either as topical application or mesotherapy. The use of mesotherapy showed more significant improvement than that of topical treatment. Conclusion: this study showed that minoxidil injection by mesotherapy is more effective than using it as topical application in treatment of androgenetic alopecia in female patients. This appreciates the extension of use of minoxidil as mesotherapy.