Azelaic Acid as DHT Inhibitor?

Dr R

Do you have any opinion on Azelaic acid as a dht inhibitor when used topically by itself or in minoxidil tandem?

Thanks

I do not think there is real evidence that azelaic acid inhibits DHT or works for genetic balding. I am aware that there was a study which was published in 1988 (22 years ago) titled, “Inhibition of 5α-reductase activity in human skin by zinc and azelaic acid“. The testing was not carried out in humans, but in a test tube, and the information is floating around on the Internet (our everyday source of good solid medical information *note sarcasm*).

Aside from this study, I do not know of any other information with regards to azelaic acid and its “theoretical” treatment for balding, yet the legend of one decades-old study will propagate down the immortal path of the internet. For further reading and other physician opinions on this, take a look at this post from a few years back.