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Adapalene
Potential efficacity for hair loss : ⭐⭐⭐

My recommendation

I think that using adapalene alone will not be effective in treating hair loss. However, it may enhance the effects of corticosteroids such as mometasone furoate when combined and may prove useful in the treatment of alopecia areata.
Home 9 Medications and others 9 Adapalene

Adapalene

Adapalene is a topical retinoid medication used to treat acne. It works by speeding up skin cell turnover and reducing inflammation. Adapalene opens up clogged pores, allowing other medications to penetrate better. Overall, adapalene is an effective treatment for mild to moderate acne that helps prevent new breakouts and clears up existing pimples and blackheads.

Is it effective against hair loss?

To date, we only have two studies demonstrating its efficacy when combined with mometasone furoate, a moderately potent corticosteroid. I believe that adapalene is not being utilized as the active ingredient, but simply to increase the efficacy of mometasone furoate. And it appears that it works quite well.

Adapalene and mometasone furoate in the treatment of alopecia areata

Alopecia areata is a form of hair loss caused by an autoimmune issue and is characterized by chronic inflammation.

There are many sub-forms of alopecia areata that look very different visually: sometimes the hair loss presents itself in circular patches, sometimes diffusely, sometimes totally, and so on.

Patchy alopecia areata multilocularis (left) and alopecia areata ophiasis (right)

Two studies carried out in 2018 and 2023 tested the effects of the combination of 0.1% adapalene and 0.1% mometasone furoate on patients suffering from alopecia areata.

The results were conclusive since the combination of the two treatments was more effective than mometasone furoate alone. Especially starting in the 4th week.

However, as with all treatments, neither mometasone furoate nor its combination with adapalene were effective for everyone.

Closing thoughts and verdict

Adapalene is a retinoid used to enhances the effectiveness of other topicals when it’s not used for acne alone.

In regards to hair loss, I do not believe adapalene alone would provide much therapeutic benefit. However, when combined with certain corticosteroids, such as mometasone furoate, adapalene may amplify its effects and show promise for treating alopecia areata specifically. The combination of these two agents could prove more potent than the steroid alone.

That being said, for other hair loss conditions besides alopecia areata, alternative treatments should be explored as the adapalene/steroid combination has only shown potential benefit for AA thus far in initial studies.

Precautions & side effects

Adapalene is for topical use only; not for oral use.

Side Effects:

  • Skin irritation – redness, dryness, peeling, burning or stinging
  • Sun sensitivity
  • Skin discoloration/hyperpigmentation

Precautions:

  • Avoid contact with abraded, broken, eczematous, or sunburned skin, mucous membranes, eyes, lips, and angles of the nose.
  • Moisturizers may be used if necessary; avoid alpha hydroxy or glycolic acid-containing products
  • Use only a small amount – applying too much can increase risk of side effects
  • A mild transitory sensation of warmth or slight stinging may occur shortly after application
  • Avoid excessive sun exposure – always apply sunscreen when going outside
  • When starting, use only 2-3 times a week to allow skin to adjust
  • If going to be exposed to wind or cold weather, protect treated areas
  • If severe reactions occur, stop use and ask doctor if it can be restarted

Treatment analyses

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