Anyone who has tried treating hair loss will know that results from individual treatments can be unpredictable and often underwhelming. The efficacy of finasteride for hair regrowth is anywhere between 31% and 66% whilst minoxidil averages only around 38% effectiveness. Both also carry risks of side effects that put many people off using them. In practice, dermatologists have long known that combining treatments targeting different mechanisms tends to produce better results than using any one drug alone. This is the thinking behind TH07, a new topical treatment developed by Canadian biotechnology company Triple Hair Inc. Understandably this has generated a lot of buzz. In this article, we explore what TH07 is, the science behind its triple-action approach and how it compares with existing hair loss treatments.
What is TH07?
TH07 is a topical treatment developed by Triple Hair Inc., a Canadian biotechnology company focused on developing new approaches to treating androgenetic alopecia. The formulation combines three active ingredients that each have established evidence for promoting hair growth. Specifically, TH07 contains 5% minoxidil, 0.1% finasteride and 0.03% latanoprost dissolved in a solution. You apply it topically to the scalp once daily as a spray.
The concept behind TH07 is simple and long-standing principal in medicine. When you treat a condition by targeting multiple mechanisms simultaneously, you tend to get better outcomes than with any single agent alone. This is something that many dermatologists already do in clinical practice using pharmaceutical compounding. For example formulas might combine minoxidil with a DHT blocker or adding adjuncts like tretinoin or melatonin. What makes TH07 different is that it aims to bring all three actives together in a single standardised pharmaceutical product that has been through clinical testing which may pave the way for licensing.
How Does TH07 Work?
TH07 works by targeting three distinct mechanisms involved in hair loss. Each ingredient addresses the problem from a different angle. This is why the combination may be more effective than any single component alone. The ingredients work as follows:
- Minoxidil (5%) is the most common treatment for female and male pattern hair loss. It works primarily by dilating blood vessels in the scalp to increase blood flow, oxygen and nutrient delivery to hair follicles. It also directly stimulates follicular activity and extends the anagen (active growth) phase of the hair cycle. Minoxidil can reactivate dormant follicles and push them from the resting phase back into active growth. However, on its own it does not address the hormonal causes of androgenetic alopecia.
- Finasteride (0.1%) targets the hormonal driver of pattern hair loss. It works by blocking DHT (dihydrotestosterone). This is the hormone responsible for causing follicle miniaturisation and thinning in people who have a genetic predisposition to hair loss. In oral form, finasteride is one of the most effective licensed treatments. However, it carries a risk of serious side effects including sexual dysfunction. By using finasteride topically at a low concentration (0.1%), TH07 aims to deliver the DHT-blocking benefit directly to the scalp whilst lowering systemic absorption and therefore reducing the risk of these side effects.
- Latanoprost (0.03%) is a prostaglandin analogue that was originally developed as an eye drop to treat glaucoma. Its relevance to hair loss was discovered somewhat accidentally when patients using it for their eyes began noticing thicker, longer and darker eyelashes. Research has since shown that latanoprost can boost hair follicle activity by interacting with receptors. This promotes the conversion of resting (telogen) follicles into the active growth (anagen) phase. It may also improve the thickness and pigmentation of existing hairs. By adding latanoprost to the mix, TH07 adds a third mechanism of action that complememts both the vascular effects of minoxidil and the hormone blocking effects of finasteride.
What Does the Evidence Show?
The clinical data for TH07 comes from a proof-of-concept study that was published in the peer-reviewed International Journal of Trichology. In this trial, 34 men with mild to moderate androgenetic alopecia (Norwood grade 2 to 5) were randomly split into four groups. They received either TH07 or monotherapy with 0.1% topical finasteride, 0.03% topical latanoprost or 5% topical minoxidil. The men applied their treatment once daily for six months. Analysis of results was through review of photographs by and investigator and patient feed-back questionnaires.
The results were encouraging. The majority of participants treated with TH07 reported moderate hair regrowth, with 52% reporting dense hair growth and 30% reporting moderate growth. In contrast, there was no hair growth in 50% of the finasteride group, 77% of the latanoprost group and 75% of the minoxidil group. Additionally, 83% of those treated with TH07 reported very effective slowing of hair loss compared with 75% or less in the minoxidil, finasteride or latanoprost only groups. Crucially, no systemic side effects in the TH07 group and no participants reported changes in sexual function.
Whilst all this is very promising, it’s important to address some limits. The study was small with only 23 participants in the TH07 group and very small comparison groups of just 3 to 4 participants each in the monotherapy groups. This makes it difficult to draw strong statistical conclusions. The study was done by researchers from Triple Hair Inc. which is the company that makes TH07. Whilst this does not invalidate the results, it is worth noting as a potential source of bias. The assessment also relied heavily on photo evaluation and patient questionnaires rather than objective trichoscopic hair counts which are the gold standard in hair loss trials. A separate patient satisfaction study which tested TH07 in a small group of men and women also reported positive results. However, they found that women were less satisfied with the treatment than men.
Benefits & Possible Risks of TH07 for Hair Regrowth
Despite the limitations of the current evidence, the rationale behind TH07 is sound and worth exploring further. From the evidence so far, the potential benefits of TH07 include:
- Multi-mechanism approach: By combining three actives that each target a different aspect of hair loss, TH07 may offer superior results compared with using any one treatment alone. This mirrors what dermatologists already observe in clinical practice when combining treatments.
- Topical delivery of finasteride: By delivering finasteride topically at a low concentration, TH07 may reduce the risk of the systemic side effects associated with oral finasteride. In the trial, no participants reported sexual dysfunction which is a significant concern with oral formulations.
- Addition of latanoprost: The inclusion of a prostaglandin analogue adds a third mechanism of action that is not typically available in standard hair loss treatments. Latanoprost’s ability to promote anagen conversion and improve hair thickness and pigmentation could provide additional benefits beyond what minoxidil and finasteride achieve on their own.
- Convenience: Having three actives in a single once-daily topical spray is more convenient than managing multiple separate treatments which could improve treatment adherence.
As with any treatment still undergoing development, there are also potential risks and limitations to consider. Possible concerns include:
- Small and early-stage trial: The proof-of-concept study was small with very small monotherapy comparison groups. Larger phase III trials are necessary to reach firm conclusions about efficacy and safety.
- Company-sponsored research: The study was conducted by the developer of TH07 which could introduce potential bias. Independent replication of the results would strengthen the evidence considerably.
- Contains finasteride: Even in topical form, TH07 still contains finasteride. Whilst topical delivery significantly reduces systemic exposure, some absorption is still possible. Women of childbearing age may not be able to use it safely given finasteride’s known risks during pregnancy.
- Long-term safety unknown: Six months of trial data is relatively short. The long-term safety of daily topical application of this particular combination including latanoprost on the scalp needs longer clinical studies to establish.
- Latanoprost side effects: When used around the eyes, latanoprost can cause skin darkening (hyperpigmentation) and changes in iris colour. It is not clear yet whether similar pigmentation effects could occur on the scalp with prolonged use.
When Will TH07 Be Available for Hair Loss?
TH07 is currently preparing to enter Phase III clinical trials. According to Triple Hair Inc., these trials are due to begin in Vancouver, Canada in April 2026. They will recruit around 420 volunteers for a 24-week study. The company has also received approval to conduct Phase III trials in Europe and is planning additional trials in India. If these larger trials confirm the positive results seen in the proof-of-concept study, TH07 would then need to go through regulatory review before it could receive licensing by authorities such as the MHRA in the UK or FDA in the United States.
The fact that all three active ingredients in TH07 already individually have approval by regulators for other uses (minoxidil and finasteride for hair loss and latanoprost for glaucoma) could potentially smooth the regulatory pathway. However, the combination itself is a new pharmaceutical product. As such it will still need to demonstrate safety and efficacy as a formulation in its own right. Even in the best-case scenario, TH07 may still be several years away from being available as a licensed treatment.
Alternatives to TH07 for Androgenetic Alopecia
Whilst TH07 is still undergoing clinical testing, the good news is that dermatologists already use the same principles in practice. There are a number of effective treatments for pattern hair loss currently available for use alone or in combination. Below are the main alternatives to TH07 for hair loss treatment:
- Minoxidil: This remains the first-line treatment for most people with pattern hair loss. It is widely available as a topical over the counter treatment. It is also available by prescription in higher strengths or oral form.
- DHT & Androgen Blockers: Oral finasteride is one of the most effective licensed treatments for male pattern hair loss. However, it carries some serious side effects. Alternatives such as topical finasteride, dutasteride or spironolactone are also available as unlicensed compounded prescription treatments.
- Combination therapy: Many people already benefit from using more than one treatment for hair loss. A common approach is combining minoxidil with a DHT-blocker, tretinoin or melatonin to help boost and complement its effects. Adjunct procedures like microneedling and LLLT helmets can also help support the actions of oral or topical hair growth treatments.
TH07 is a promising addition to the growing pipeline of new hair loss treatments currently undergoing research. Other novel compounds such as MLPH, PP405 or deoxyribose sugar gel introduce entirely new mechanisms. However, TH07 takes a different approach by optimising and combining existing treatments that already have established evidence for hair growth. However, as with all emerging treatments, enthusiasm needs pairing with caution. The current evidence comes from a small, company-sponsored trial and larger independent studies are needed. Phase III trials are about to begin which should give us a much clearer picture. For now, the principle that multi-targeted combination therapy outperforms monotherapy, is already something we can apply using existing compounded hair loss available treatments.
We offer personalised hair loss treatments for women and men through our online skin clinic. Our doctors create custom hair growth treatments using actives such as Minoxidil, Finasteride, Spironolactone, Melatonin, Caffeine and Tretinoin where appropriate. Start your virtual consultation and begin your journey to great hair today.
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a qualified medical professional with any concerns about your hair or treatment options.
