A pilot study of 18 male patients has demonstrated an increase in hair density and thickness following botulinum toxin treatment.
The study was conducted by Dr Byung Cheol Park, a professor at the dermatology department of Dangook University Hospital, and presented at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology congress in Madrid in October.
Dr Park sought to evaluate that toxin can block the TGF-β1 expression in dermal papilla cells which is a potent biomarker for male pattern baldness (MPB) and to know the efficacy and safety of toxin injection in MPB.
Participants received a total of six injections of 10U/ml of Nuceiva prabotulinumtoxinA (branded Jeuveau in the US and known in other markets as Nabota) for 24 weeks. The author found that at 24 weeks, the hairs on balding area were thicker and the balding area decreased.
The author concluded, “Intradermal injection of botulinum toxin type A might be a possible safe and effective options in the treatment of MPB by blocking the secretion of TGF-β1 in hair follicle.”
The study was funded by South Korean manufacturer is Daewoong Pharmaceuticals.
