Dutasteride Mesotherapy for Androgenetic Alopecia: What do we know?

Authors

  • Matt Sandre, MD, FRCPC Sunnybrook Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON

Abstract

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a commondermatologic condition that can cause a significant amount of distress for some patients. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), an endogenous hormone, plays a major role in this form of hair loss, causing scalp hairs to undergo miniaturization and reducing the amount of time they spend in the anagen growth phase. Dutasteride is one of several treatment options for AGA. It works by inhibiting 5-α reductase (5-aR) types I and II, ultimately reducing the levels of DHT in the scalp. This can be contrasted to another 5-aR inhibitor, finasteride, which only inhibits the 5-aR type II. Although dutasteride is potentially more potent than finasteride, its longer half-life (~5 weeks), similar side effect profile, and lack of Health Canada approval for AGA make some prescribers more likely to choose finasteride over dutasteride.

Mesotherapy involves injections of a substance, such as vitamins or a medication, into the skin at the correct layer to achieve a desired therapeutic effect while minimizing systemic absorption and adverse effects. The use of dutasteride mesotherapy for AGA has been described somewhat recently; however, a large pool of data is not available to determine its appropriate place in the AGA treatment ladder. Despite this, an increasing number of publications are appearing over time regarding dutasteride mesotherapy. This paper will provide a concise review of potential dosing and injection techniques, adverse effects, and outcomes of dutasteride mesotherapy. 

Author Biography

Matt Sandre, MD, FRCPC, Sunnybrook Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON

Dr. Matt Sandre is a dermatologist practicing in Toronto, Ontario out of Sunnybrook Dermatology Clinic as well as community clinics around the GTA. He is also a lecturer appointed with the University of Toronto, Department of Medicine. He completed his dermatology residency at the University of Toronto and subsequently a Fellowship in Dermatologic Laser Surgery and Aesthetic Dermatology. 

References

Blume-Peytavi U, Blumeyer A, Tosti A, Finner A, Marmol V, Trajatelli M, et al. S1 guideline for diagnostic evaluation in androgenetic alopecia in men, women and adolescents. Br J Dermatol. 2011;164(1):5-15. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2010.10011.x

`Busanello EB, Turcatel E. Androgenetic alopecia and dutasteride in hair mesotherapy: a short review. Our Dermatol Online. 2017;9(1):75-79.

Zhongbao Z, Shiqiang S, Zhenli G, Jitao W, Jiajia M, Yuanshan C. The efficacy and safety of dutasteride compared with finasteride in treating men with androgenetic alopecia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Interv Aging. 2019;14:399-406. doi: 10.2147/CIA.S192435

Herz-Ruelas M, Alvarez-Villalobos NA, Millan-Alanis JM, Leon-Gutierrez H, Ocampo-Garza SS, Gomez-Flores M, et al. Efficacy of intralesional and oral dutasteride in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia: a systematic review. Skin Appendage Disord. 2020;6(6):338-345. doi: 10.1159/000510697

Chen W, Zouboulis C, Organos CE. The 5-alpha-reductase system and its inhibitors. Recent development and its perspective in treating androgen-dependent skin disorders. Dermatology. 1995;193(3):177-184. doi: 10.1159/000246242

Abdallah M. Mesotherapy using dutasteride-containing solution in male pattern hair loss: a controlled pilot study. J Pan-Arab League Dermatol. 2009;20(1):137-145.

Moftah N, Moftah N, Ahmed N, Hamed Y, Ghannam B, Ibrahim M. Mesotherapy using dutasteride-containing preparation in treatment of female pattern hair loss: photographic, morphometric and ultrastructural evaluation. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2013;27(6):686-693. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-3083.2012.04535.x

Sobhy N, Aly H, El Shafee A, El Deeb M. Evaluation of the effect of injection of dutasteride as mesotherapeutic tool in treatment of androgenetic alopecia in males. Our Dermatol Online: 2013;4(1):40-45.

Saceda-Corralo D, Moustafa F, Moreno-Arrones O, Jaen-Olasolo P, Vano-Galvan S, Camacho F. Mesotherapy with dutasteride for androgenetic alopecia: A retrospective study in real clinical practice. J Drugs Dermatol. 2022;21(7):742-747.

Saceda-Corralo D, Rodriques-Barata AR, Vano-Galvan S, Jaen-Olasolo P. Mesotherapy with dutasteride in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia. Int J Trichology. 2017;9(3):143-145. doi: 10.4103/ijt.ijt_73_16

Del Cura LR, Sancho AD, Lombrana MR, Sundh AE, Lopez MA. Two cases of paradoxical nonscarring alopecia after mesotherapy with dutasteride. Skin Appendage Disord. 2022;8:46-48. doi: 10.1159/000518043

Merino-de-Paz N, Vazquez-Rodriguez C ,Ramirez-Fernandez G, Garcia-Peris E, Arteaga-Henriquez, Lukoviek V, et al. Mesotherapy with dutasteride and minoxidil in treatment of androgenetic alopecia. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2018;79(3) Supplement 1,AB190. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2018.05.770

Rodriguez-Cuadrado FJ, Pinto-Pulido EL, Fernandez-Parrado M. Mesotherapy with dutasteride for androgenetic alopecia: a concise review of the literature. Eur K Dermatol. 2023;33(1):72. doi: 10.1684/ejd.2023.4443

Dominguez-Santas M, Diaz-Guimaraens B, Saceda-Corralo D, Hermosa-Gelbard A, Arrones OM, Pindado-Ortega C, et al. The state-of-the-art in the management of androgenetic alopecia: a review of new therapies and treatment algorithms. JEADV Clin Pract. 2022;1:176-185. doi: 10.1002/jvc2.53

Sanchez-Meza E, Ocampo-Candiani J, Gomez-Flores M, Herz-Ruelas ME, Ocampo-Garza J, Orizaga-Y-Quiroga TL, et al. Microneedling plus topical dutasteride solution for androgenetic alopecia: a randomized placebo-controlled study. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2022;36(10):e806-e808. doi: 10.1111/jdv.18285

Magdaleno-Tapial J, Valenzuela-Onate C, Garcia-Legaz-Martinez M, Martinez-Domenech A, Alonso-Carpio M, Talamantes CS, et al. Angioedema-like contact dermatitis caused by mesotherapy with dutasteride. Contact Dermatitis. 2020;83(3):246-247. doi: 10.1111/cod.13585

Melo DF, Saceda-Corralo D, Tosti A, Weffort F, Jorge MC, de Barros CC, et al. Frontal edema due to mesotherapy for androgenetic alopecia: a case series. Dermatol Ther. 2022;35(2):e15247. doi: 10.1111/dth.15247

Duque-Estrada B, Vincenzi C, Misciali C, Tosti A. Alopecia secondary to mesotherapy. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2009;61(4):707-709. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2008.11.896

Kadry R, Hamadah I, Al-Issa A, Field L, Alrabiah F. Multifocal scalp abscess with subcutaneous fat necrosis and scarring alopecia as a complication of scalp mesotherapy. J Drugs Dermatol. 2008;7(1):72-73.

Published

2024-06-26

How to Cite

1.
Sandre M. Dutasteride Mesotherapy for Androgenetic Alopecia: What do we know?. Can Dermatol Today [Internet]. 2024 Jun. 26 [cited 2024 Oct. 5];5(2):5–8. Available from: https://canadiandermatologytoday.com/article/view/5-2-sandre

Issue

Section

Articles