Topical Application of Lactobacillus Reuteri for Androgenetic Alopecia

This is a single-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial designed to evaluate whether topical application of Lactobacillus reuteri can safely and effectively treat androgenetic alopecia. The study is based on the concept that balancing the scalp's microbial community may support hair follicle function. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of four groups receiving either active probiotic solution, inactivated probiotic solution (control for non-viable bacterial effects), a saline placebo, or the standard treatment 5% minoxidil solution for 12 months. Neither participants nor assessing clinicians will know the assigned treatment. The main goal is to measure improvement in hair count per square centimeter after one year. Additional measures include changes in hair thickness and quality. This research seeks to provide high-quality scientific evidence on a new microbiome-targeting approach, offering future patients and healthcare providers insights into a potential alternative or complementary treatment strategy for hair loss.

NCT Number	NCT07370519
Lead Sponsor	Shenzhen People's Hospital
Conditions	Androgenetic Alopecia (AGA)
Enrollment	388 participants
Start Date	2026-01-25
Primary Completion	2027-01 (estimated)
Study Completion	2027-06 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2026-04-01