Latanoprost and minoxidil: comparative double-blind, placebo-controlled study for the treatment of hair loss

Abstract

Latanoprost has been shown to have potential for the treatment of hair loss evidenced by increased thickness and length of eyelashes and hypertrichosis that can be observed when it is used in the periorbital region. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of latanoprost, used isolatedly or in associations, for reducing hair loss and/or stimulating its growth in patients bearers of telogen effluvium or androgenic alopecia. Methods: A comparative, double-blind study was carried out during 180 days, with 6 groups: G1 - placebo, G2 - 5% minoxidil, G3 - 5% minoxidil + 0.005% latanoprost, G4 - 0.005% latanoprost, G5 - 5% minoxidil + 0.010% latanoprost, G6 - 0.010% latanoprost. The total and percentage count of hair strands was carried out based on phototrichogram in the anagen and telogen phases. Results: There was improvement in G2 (total number of hair strands, number of anagen strands in D92 and D180), G3 (total number of hair strands and number of anagen hair strands in D242), G4 (total number of strands in D182, and number of anagen hair strands in D92 and D182), and G5 (total number of hair strands in D182, percentage of telogen and anagen hair strands and number of anagen hair strands in D92 and D182). Treatment of G6 did not yield significant difference regarding the placebo. Conclusions: The treatments with 5% minoxidil, 5% minoxidil + 0.005% latanoprost, 0.005% latanoprost, 5% minoxidil + 0.010% latanoprost were shown effective in controlling hair loss and in increasing the total number of hair strands