Eur J Dermatol. 2002 Jan-Feb;12(1):32-7.Finasteride improves male pattern hair loss in a randomized study in identical twins.

Stough DB, et al

OBJECTIVES: This study compared the efficacy of finasteride with placebo in the treatment of male pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) in nine pairs of male identical twins. METHODS: In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, single-center study, one twin from each identical twin pair received finasteride 1 mg/day for one year while the other received placebo. Hair growth was evaluated from standardized clinical photographs, hair counts and patient self-assessment questionnaires. Serum dihydrotestosterone and testosterone levels were analyzed and adverse events recorded. RESULTS: Finasteride significantly improved hair growth at one year compared to placebo based on analysis of photographs of the vertex and superior-frontal scalp. These results were consistent with the hair count change measured in the finasteride group, which was superior to the change measured in the placebo group. Patient self-assessment demonstrated that treatment with finasteride, in comparison to placebo, led to improvements in scalp hair growth and patients’ satisfaction with appearance of hair. No drug-related adverse events were reported during the study. CONCLUSION: Through the use of identical twins, this study provides further evidence that finasteride significantly reduces hair loss progression and restores hair growth in men with male pattern hair loss.

Dermatol Surg. 2000 Aug;26(8):801-5.

A technique for hair-grafting in between existing follicles in patients with early pattern baldness.

Brandy DA.
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, PA, USA.

BACKGROUND: When using follicular hair transplantation on patients with early male or female pattern baldness, there can be significant trauma to preexisting hair follicles. This becomes especially important in view of the fact that finastride and minoxidil can stop or slow hair loss. OBJECTIVE: To develop a system that averts damage to preexisting hair follicles in patients with early male or female pattern baldness. METHODS: A Lutex headlight (2.5-3.5x loupe magnification system) is used to make 1.0-1.5 mm spear incisions in between the hair follicles in patients with early male or female pattern balding. Magnification is also utilized during the graft cutting and placement phases of the operation. RESULTS: This headlight-loupe magnification system has dramatically decreased the amount of permanent hair loss and anagen effluvium on 144 patients with early male and female pattern baldness. With less permanent hair loss there is greater density observed with each progressive session. CONCLUSION: Hair surgeons now have a method to consistently and significantly minimize the amount of damage to preexisting hair follicles in patients in the early stages of male and female pattern baldness. This becomes even more important in light of the fact that more and more patients are using finastride or minoxidil to stop the thinning process. Existing hairs can therefore be preserved.

Br J Dermatol. 2003 Aug;149(2):354-62.

The effects of minoxidil, 1% pyrithione zinc and a combination of both on hair density: a randomized controlled trial.

Berger RS, Fu JL, Smiles KA, Turner CB, Schnell BM, Werchowski KM, Lammers KM.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies of antidandruff shampoos or tonics containing antifungal or antibacterial agents produced effects suggestive of a potential hair growth benefit. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this 6-month, 200-patient, randomized, investigator-blinded, parallel-group clinical study was to assess the hair growth benefits of a 1% pyrithione zinc shampoo. The efficacy of a 1% pyrithione zinc shampoo (used daily), was compared with that of a 5% minoxidil topical solution (applied twice daily), a placebo shampoo and a combination ofthe 1% pyrithione zinc shampoo and the 5% minoxidil topical solution.

METHODS: Two hundred healthy men between the ages of 18 and 49 years (inclusive) exhibiting Hamilton-Norwood type III vertex or type IV baldness were enrolled. Total hair counts, the primary efficacy measure, were obtained using fibre-optic microscopy and a computer-assisted, manual hair count method. Secondary measures of efficacy included assessments of hair diameter, as well as patient and investigator global assessments of improvement in hair growth. These were based on photographs of the scalp using both midline and vertex views. RESULTS: Hair count results showed a significant net increase in total visible hair counts for the 1% pyrithione zinc shampoo, the 5% minoxidil topical solution, and the combination treatment groups relative to the placebo shampoo after 9 weeks of treatment. The relative increase in hair count for the 1% pyrithione zinc shampoo was slightly less than half that for the minoxidil topical solution and was essentially maintained throughout the 26-week treatment period. No advantage was seen in using both the 5% minoxidil topical solution and the 1% pyrithione zinc shampoo. A small increase in hair diameter was observed for the minoxidil-containing treatment groups at week 17. Assessments of global improvements by the patients and investigator generally showed the benefit of 5% minoxidil. The benefit of the 1% pyrithione zinc shampoo used alone tended to be apparent only to the investigator. CONCLUSIONS: Hair count results show a modest and sustained improvement in hair growth with daily use of a 1% pyrithione zinc shampoo over a 26-week treatment period.

J Am Acad Dermatol. 2008 Mar;58(3):452-7.

Dermatopathology and molecular genetics.

Bergman R.

The diagnosis of inherited skin diseases has been traditionally been based on
clinical findings and occasionally on dermatopathology. Recent developments in
molecular genetics have increased tremendously the diagnostic accuracy of genetic
skin diseases, but also expanded the role of dermatopathology in the diagnosis
and understanding of the pathogenesis of inherited skin diseases. The following
is a review of some of the recent discoveries and how they interact with
dermatopathology.

J Cosmet Dermatol. 2007 Mar;6(1):9-13.

Dutasteride improves male pattern hair loss in a randomized study in identical twins.

Stough D.

The Dermatology Clinic, Hot Springs, AR 71913, USA. dowstoughmd@cablelynx.com

OBJECTIVES: This study compared the efficacy of dutasteride vs. placebo in the treatment of male pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) in 17 pairs of identical twin males with androgenetic alopecia over a 1-year period. METHODS: In
this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, single-center study, one twin from each identical twin pair received dutasteride 0.5 mg/day for 12 months while the other received placebo for 12 months. Hair growth was evaluated using
standardized clinical photographs, hair counts, and patient self-assessment questionnaires. RESULT: Dutasteride significantly improved hair growth at 1-year compared to placebo based on the analysis of the investigator assessment and the patient self-assessment questionnaires. Sixteen of 17 sets of twins completed the study, of which 15 sets correctly predicted the use of dutasteride. Only one set could not determine the active drug from the placebo.

CONCLUSION: Through the use of identical twins, this randomized trial provides evidence that dutasteride significantly reduces hair loss progression in men with male pattern hair loss.

Note : Dr Stough originated some of the most used techniques in hair transplant surgery and taught them to a lot of people.