Australian Trial of Topical Minoxidil and Placebo in Early Male Pattern Baldness

In a 1990 Australian study, 169 men with early male pattern baldness were treated with either 2% minoxidil solution or a placebo over a period of 48 weeks. The study found that after the initial 24 weeks, the minoxidil group had a significantly greater increase in non-vellus hair counts (37.6 hairs) compared to the placebo group (8.8 hairs). By week 48, 26% of the minoxidil-treated patients reported moderate hair regrowth, but none reported dense regrowth. The investigators observed moderate regrowth in 16% of minoxidil patients and minimal regrowth in 40%. There were no significant differences in reports of reduced hair loss or changes in bald patch diameter between the treatment groups. The treatment was found to be safe, with no serious adverse reactions reported, and the adverse events that did occur were mostly minor dermatological or ocular issues. The study concluded that 2% minoxidil is a modestly effective and safe treatment for early male pattern baldness, although it did not significantly prevent hair loss.