There’s Promising Research That a New (Better) Hair Loss Medication Is Coming for Women

Hair loss has been at the forefront of everyone’s mind since COVID-19. Scalp serums, hair supplements, hair-growth shampoos, massage tools, LED devices—the industry is booming. But what hasn’t necessarily caught up? Prescription options with significant data proving how they work for reversing hair loss. But the wait might finally be over.

Veradermics, a biopharmaceutical company, is developing a new drug: VDPHL01, an extended-release oral minoxidil designed specifically for androgenetic alopecia (also known as male- and female-pattern hair loss), the most common form of hair loss. A drug hasn’t been approved for this specific type of hair loss since 1997. And there are still no FDA-approved oral medications for hair loss in women.

Topical minoxidil, which can be prescribed at high doses or purchased over the counter (Rogaine being the most popular), can help regrow hair. Still, there are drawbacks, says Los Angeles-based dermatologist Ava Shamban, MD. It’s sticky, messy, and requires twice-daily application. Oral minoxidil, which you can get from your doctor, can definitely help hair grow, but not just on your head, as it can increase growth everywhere on your body.

“Dermatologists came up with a genius idea to microdose oral minoxidil and see what kind of hair growth we got,” she says. “Lo and behold, it worked.” And that’s how VDPHL01 was born. “It’s kind of the sweet spot: It grows some hair, but it doesn’t bottom out your blood pressure, you don’t get the excess body hair, and it cuts down on side effects,” she explains.

Minoxidil was initially created for high blood pressure, not hair loss, says Dr. Shamban. The immediate-release formula goes into your bloodstream and works fast (usually in one hour), but it clears from your system in about four hours. “But the hair follicle needs longer exposure,” she says. Veradermics created VDPHL01 using a proprietary extended-release technology to extend how long the minoxidil impacts your hair follicles. This could potentially lead to more consistent, even faster hair growth.

The first clinical trial data were just released with really promising results. They evaluated 519 men with mild-to-moderate pattern hair loss for six months in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. They detected hair growth by month two, and by month six, they measured an average increase of 30 to 33 hairs per square centimeter. And there are still two more trials to take place: Phase two (evaluating more men) results are expected to roll out later this year, and Phase three (which will finally evaluate VDPHL01’s effects on women) is enrolling now.

That said, there’s still a long way before VDPHL01 gets approved. But the idea that something is finally coming, especially for women, has editors and doctors buzzing.

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Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with eight years of experience researching, writing, and editing hair stories.

Beth Gillette

Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you "have to try." Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair 'do every few months.