Skip to main content
. 2016 May 27;113(21):377–386. doi: 10.3238/arztebl.2016.0377

Table. Treatment options for androgenetic alopecia and the evidence supporting them*.

Treatment Evidencelevel Efficacy in preventing progression Efficacy in improving manifestations Safety Practicality for the patient Practicalityfor the physician
Finasteride (men) 1 +++ ++ +++ ++++ ++
Minoxidil 5% (men) 1 +++ ++ ++++ +/++ +++
Minoxidil 2% (women) 1 +++ ++ ++++ + +++
Oral hormones (for women) - with hyperandrogenism - with normal hormonal status 3 + +/– + +/– + + +++ +++ ++ ++
Hair transplantation
(men und women)
4 +++ (men)
++ (women)
++ + procedure
+++ long-term effect
+
Various other treatments
(aloe vera, aminexil, ginkgo,
food supplements, etc.)
insufficient
evidence
inadequately
studied in
clinical trials
+/– unknown + +

*Adapted from (12), Blumeyer et al.: J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 2011; for a complete list of all randomized trials, cf. “Guideline Androgenetic Alopecia” at the Internet address

www.euroderm.org/edf/index.php/edf-guidelines/;globalratingfrom-to ++++