Pumpkin seed oil vs. minoxidil 5% topical foam for the treatment of female pattern hair loss: A randomized comparative trial

Ibrahim IM, Hasan MS, Elsabaa KI, Elsaie ML · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology · 2021 February 12

Objective

To investigate the clinical efficacy of pumpkin seed oil in the treatment of female pattern hair loss and compare its effects with minoxidil 5% foam.

Conclusions

The study found that pumpkin seed oil shows promising potential in treating female pattern hair loss.

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Insights

Pumpkin seed oil shows promising potential in treating female pattern hair loss, with results comparable to the effects of minoxidil 5% foam.

The study conducted involved a random assignment of patients with female pattern hair loss to either apply pumpkin seed oil or minoxidil 5% foam for three months. Assessments of these patients were carried out clinically and dermoscopically at the start of the trial, halfway through, and at the end. The group allocated pumpkin seed oil (group A) demonstrated a notable decrease in hair shaft diversity from before and after the treatment, as well as a decrease in vellus hairs (non-pigmented, fine hairs). There was also a significant increase in upright regrowing hairs after treatment. For the group assigned to the minoxidil foam (group B), there was also a similar significant decrease in hair shaft diversity and vellus hair numbers from before to after treatment. This suggests that both pumpkin seed oil and minoxidil 5% foam have beneficial effects in treating female pattern hair loss.