Journal of Clinical & Experimental Dermatology Research
Open Access

Abstract

Efficacy, Tolerability and Cosmetic Acceptability of a Growth Factors, Caffeine, Taurine and a Chelating Complex-Based Gel in Subjects with Hair Loss Alone or In Combination with Drugs Treatments: A Real Life, Multicentre, Assessor-Blinded, 6-Month Trial on 471 Subjects

Alfredo Caruso, Angelo Massimiliano D'Erme, Anna Bordin, Antonella Balducci, Antonello Bonifati, Antonina Agolzer, Antonio Carpentieri, Antonio Del Sorbo, Carlotta Guaraldi, Chiara Galloni, Claudio Zeccara, Daniela Barbaso, Davide Ciccone, Davide Fattore, Diletta Bonciani, Federica Cecchi, Federica Guicciardi, Francesca Serra, Gianfranco Del Plato, Gianni Montesi, Luigia Panariello, Giovanni Profeta, Giuseppe Gallo, Ilaria Minnetti, Ilenia Vella, Lisa Cecchini, Luciano Mavilia, Manuela de Massis, Mara Lombardi, Marco Rovaris, Maria Cristina Fiorucci, Marina Favaro, Marina Rosella, Matteo Basso, Patrizia Ghidini, Piera Fileccia, Pierluigi Bruni, Riccardo Bono, Stefania Greco, Francesca Colombo and Massimo Milani*

Introduction: We evaluated efficacy, tolerability, and cosmetic acceptability of a gel containing growth factors, taurine, caffeine and iron chelating complex (GFmgel) in subjects with hair loss (AGA/FAGA, TE) in a real-life condition.

Materials and methods: 471 subjects (273 women) with hair loss conditions (AGA/FAGA: n=269; or chronic TE, n=202) were enrolled. Eligible subjects could be naïve (no specific hair loss treatments) or treated with anti-hair loss drugs since at least 6 months. GFmgel (12.5 ml per application) should be applied on the scalp once weekly. The primary outcome was the Global Assessment Score (GAS) using a 7-point scale in comparison with baseline condition after 6 months of therapy. At baseline a global picture of the scalp was performed to be used for the GAS evaluation. A total of 229 subjects were treated with GFmgel alone (G1), 136 with GFmgel and topical minoxidil (G2); 34 subjects with GFmgel and oral finasteride (1 mg/die) (G3) and finally 69 subjects with GFmgel and multitherapy (drug and/or adjuvants) (G4).

Results: In the population as a whole GAS at month 6 significantly increased in all groups in comparison with baseline: G1: +1.6 ± 1; G2: +1.8 ± 1; G3: +2 ± 1 and G4: +2.1 ± 1. GAS scores of G4, G3 and G2 were significantly higher (p=0.02) in comparison with G1. In AGA/FAGA subjects the GAS scores were 1.2 ± 1 in G1, 1.7 ± 1 in G2, 2.2± 1 in G3 and 1.7 ± 1 in G4. GAS scores of G4, G3 and G2 groups were significantly higher (p=0.001) in comparison with G1. In TE subjects the GAS scores were: 1.9 ± 1 in G1, 1.9 ± 1 in G2 and 2.0 ± 0.8 in G4. No statistical differences between G1, G2 and G4 groups were observed for the GAS scores. The gel was very well tolerated. Cosmetic acceptability was judged good or very good by 75% of the subjects.

Conclusion: This gel has shown to be very effective as therapeutic strategy in subjects with hair loss (AGA/FAGA) used alone or in combination with drugs treatment. In subjects with chronic TE the use of this gel as monotherapy has shown an efficacy comparable to combination therapies.

Published Date: 2022-12-28; Received Date: 2022-11-28