Dutasteride Infusion in Male Androgenetic Alopecia Using a Novel Drug Delivery Technique: MMP^®

MMP® (the Portuguese acronym for microinfusão de medicamentos na pele [i.e., microinfusion of drugs into the skin]) is a novel drug delivery technique that uses microneedling to infuse drugs into the skin. Scalp microinfusion is a promising intervention for hair loss.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of microinfusion of dutasteride with the MMP® technique compared with microinfusion of saline solution (placebo) in men with androgenetic alopecia (AGA). This is the first study that compared microinfusion with MMP® using dutasteride versus placebo for the treatment of AGA.

A prospective, multicenter, controlled clinical trial was conducted in eight (8) adult male patients with AGA. Three applications of dutasteride or placebo (saline solution 0.9%) using the MMP® were made every 30 days. Photos pre- and posttreatment were analyzed by three blinded dermatologists and the patient. Efficacy and safety were evaluated.

No statistical difference in the clinical assessment was found between the groups. However, patient self-assessment reported marked improvement in the vertex area in the dutasteride group.

Dutasteride microinfusion using the MMP® technique is effective in treating male AGA. Microneedling with MMP® without any medication is effective in treating male AGA.