Name Ingredients:
Alfatradiol, also known as 17α-estradiol, is a weak estrogen used topically to slow hair loss in androgenic alopecia by inhibiting 5α-reductase, an enzyme that converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is implicated in hair follicle miniaturization. While it primarily stabilizes hair loss, its ability to promote significant hair regrowth is limited and less effective compared to treatments like minoxidil.
Key insights:
- The ex vivo evidence shows that alfatradiol induces aromatase activity in human anagen hair follicles. Through this mechanism of action it is able to reduce DHT and increase the conversion of testosterone to 17β-estradiol.
- The clinical evidence shows mixed results for hair regrowth:
- One study comparing 0.025% alfatradiol solution to 5% minoxidil over 24 weeks found modest improvement in hair density vs. baseline, but it was less effective than minoxidil.
- Another 6 month study on men with androgenic alopecia found that 70% of participants saw stabilization of hair loss, with 20% achieving mild regrowth.
- A 2011 study conducted over 6 months found no statistically significant difference in hair count or thickness vs. placebo.
- A 2017 24-week RCT in women with FPHL found significant improvement in hair density vs. baseline, increased hair shaft diameter, and 62% of participants reported subjective hair loss reduction