Comparing the Efficacy of Mesotherapy to Topical Minoxidil in the Treatment of Female Pattern Hair Loss Using Ultrasound Biomicroscopy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

The efficacy of mesotherapy in the treatment of female pattern hair loss (FPHL) has not yet been evaluated. Aim of the study was to compare the initial efficacy and safety of mesotherapy containing nutritional supplements to topical minoxidil 5% solution in FPHL. 30 patients with FPHL were randomly classified into two equal groups: Group A applied minoxidil 5% lotion twice daily; Group B was injected with mesotherapy once weekly. For both groups ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) was performed before and at the end of the 12th week of treatment. After treatment, no significant difference was found between both groups with regard to either improvement of hair density and hair loss (P=0.27 and 0.056, respectively), nor the degree of improvement of Ludwig's classification as assessed by the investigator (P=0.210). A significant difference was observed between both groups (P=0.001) with the highest degree of satisfaction in the mesotherapy group. In group A, no significant difference was found in the number of hair follicles or the diameter of the largest hair follicle (P=0.244 and 0.925, respectively). In group B, a significant difference was found in the number of hair follicles (P=0.001), with no significant difference in the diameter of the largest hair follicle (P=0.105). The mesotherapy group showed more improvement with regard to the increase in the number of the hair follicles after treatment (P=0.007). Limitation of the study is small sample size, and relatively short duration of treatment. Mesotherapy, containing nutritional supplements only, is an effective, more acceptable to patients, and more tolerable modality compared with topical minoxidil in the treatment of FPHL.

Toenail concentrations of zinc, selenium and nickel in patients with chronic recurrent warts: A pilot two-group comparative study.

BACKGROUND: Normal immune functioning requires sufficient levels of trace elements including zinc and selenium, while elements such as nickel can be immunotoxic. AIM: To assess long-term abnormalities in zinc, selenium and nickel levels in patients with chronic recurrent warts. METHODS: Toenail samples were taken from 28 patients with chronic recurrent warts and 30 apparently healthy matching controls were analysed. Toenail concentrations of zinc, selenium and nickel were measured using inductively-coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy. RESULTS: Selenium levels were significantly higher in patients than in controls (P = 0.03). Levels of trace elements did not correlate with the number or duration of warts. Toenail nickel levels in all subjects were higher than globally reported values. LIMITATIONS: A small sample size and the absence of regional reference ranges for concentrations of trace elements in toenails. CONCLUSION: Zinc does not seem to be involved in the chronicity of warts, and it is unclear if selenium has a protective role against warts. Our finding of high concentrations of nickel in both patients and controls raises concerns about environmental exposure.