EFFICACY OF 0.1% TOPICAL FINASTERIDE SPRAY SOLUTION FOR MALE EYEBROW ENHANCEMENT: A RANDOMIZED, DOUBLE-BLIND, PLACEBO-CONTROLLED, SPLIT-FACE COMPARATIVE PILOT STUDY

Abstract

Topical finasteride has been successfully used for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia, offering localized efficacy with reduced systemic side effects. However, its application for eyebrow enhancement has not yet been investigated. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, split-face pilot study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a 0.1% topical finasteride spray solution for male eyebrow enhancement. Eight male participants with eyebrow hypotrichosis (GEBA grade I–II) applied finasteride to one eyebrow and placebo to the other twice daily for 12 weeks. The primary outcome, assessed by blinded dermatologists using standardized global photographic scores, demonstrated significantly greater improvement on the finasteride-treated side from week 4 onwards (P < 0.01). Secondary outcomes showed a statistically significant increase in eyebrow hair count in the finasteride group compared to placebo at week 12 (mean increase: +24.8 vs. +4.8 hairs; P = 0.008), while hair diameter changes were minimal and not significant. All participants expressed satisfaction with finasteride treatment, though the difference in satisfaction scores compared to placebo did not reach statistical significance. The intervention was well-tolerated with no systemic side effects or participant dropouts. Preliminary evidence from these results suggests that 0.1% topical finasteride spray may serve as a safe and non-invasive therapeutic option for male eyebrow enhancement, and these findings warrant further investigation in larger, adequately powered studies.