Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes that proper hair washing techniques and the selection of effective ingredients are crucial for hair health and growth, rather than relying solely on new shampoos [1]. Group 1: Hair Washing Techniques - The effectiveness of shampoo ingredients requires sufficient contact time with the scalp, typically 3-5 minutes for active components like caffeine and saw palmetto [2]. - Washing frequency should be tailored to individual needs; for oily scalps, washing every 1-2 days is recommended, while dry scalps can extend to 3-5 days [3]. - Proper scalp cleaning is essential, involving techniques such as using warm water to open hair cuticles and massaging the scalp to enhance blood flow by up to 20% [4]. Group 2: Active Ingredients in Shampoos - Salicylic acid, a beta-hydroxy acid, is effective in removing scalp oil and dead skin cells, suitable for oily scalps, and should be used 1-2 times a week [5]. - Caffeine has been shown to inhibit hair follicle miniaturization and promote hair growth by increasing energy signals within follicle cells [5]. - Herbal ingredients like cedar leaf and he shou wu (fo-ti) can improve scalp circulation and prolong hair growth phases, with specific usage recommendations for their extracts [7].

Core Viewpoint - The announcement by the company regarding the clinical trial of KX-826 combined with minoxidil for treating androgenetic alopecia (AGA) in adult males in China indicates a significant advancement in the treatment's efficacy and safety profile, paving the way for future Phase III trials [1][4]. Group 1: Clinical Trial Overview - The clinical trial is an open-label, randomized controlled study aimed at evaluating the effectiveness and safety of KX-826 combined with minoxidil for AGA treatment [1][2]. - The trial has reached its primary endpoint, with results indicating a statistically significant efficacy advantage for the combination therapy compared to minoxidil alone [1][2]. Group 2: Efficacy Results - After 24 weeks, the combination therapy group showed an increase of 30.54 hairs/cm² in target area hair count (TAHC) compared to baseline, while the minoxidil group showed an increase of 10.29 hairs/cm², with a p-value of 0.0075 indicating statistical significance [2]. - The number of patients with a TAHC change of ≥20 hairs/cm² was 30 in the combination group versus 19 in the minoxidil group, and for ≥40 hairs/cm², there were 10 in the combination group versus 1 in the minoxidil group [2][3]. Group 3: Safety Profile - The combination therapy demonstrated good safety and tolerability, with no unexpected adverse events reported during the trial [3][4]. - Adverse events were comparable between the two groups, indicating that the combination therapy does not introduce additional safety concerns [3]. Group 4: Mechanism of Action - KX-826 operates through a differentiated mechanism compared to minoxidil, with both targeting the androgen microenvironment, which has been clinically validated for hair regrowth efficacy [4]. - The synergistic effect of the combination therapy is expected to significantly enhance treatment outcomes for AGA, potentially expanding the patient benefit population [4].