Does topical minoxidil at concentrations higher than 5% provide additional clinical benefit?
November 2022
in “Clinical and Experimental Dermatology”
TLDR
Using more than 5% minoxidil can help hair growth more, but results vary and side effects may increase.
The document reviews the effectiveness and safety of using different concentrations of topical minoxidil for treating androgenetic alopecia (AGA). It cites several studies, including one with 393 men showing 5% minoxidil was more effective than 2% for improving nonvellus hair count. Another study with 66 patients found 15% minoxidil was significantly better than the 5% formulation at weeks 12 and 24. However, a study with 90 men found 5% minoxidil was superior in improving hair regrowth compared to 10% minoxidil and placebo. A study with women who didn't respond to 5% minoxidil showed a significant response in 60% of the participants when treated with 15% minoxidil. The document concludes that while higher concentrations of minoxidil can provide additional clinical benefits, the results can vary significantly among individuals, and adverse effects may increase with higher percentage formulations. Further controlled trials with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up durations are necessary to determine the optimal concentration of minoxidil for treating pattern hair loss.
View this study on academic.oup.com →
Cited in this study
research Minoxidil-Coated Lysozyme-Shelled Microbubbes Combined With Ultrasound for the Enhancement of Hair Follicle Growth: Efficacy In Vitro and In Vivo
Using minoxidil-coated microbubbles with ultrasound significantly boosts hair growth.
research Efficacy and safety of a new 10% topical minoxidil versus 5% topical minoxidil and placebo in the treatment of male androgenetic alopecia: a trichoscopic evaluation
10% minoxidil solution better promotes hair growth and reduces hair loss without significant side effects.
research Minoxidil Sulfotransferase Enzyme (SULT1A1) genetic variants predicts response to oral minoxidil treatment for female pattern hair loss
Genetic variants affect minoxidil hair loss treatment success.
research Topical Minoxidil-Loaded Nanotechnology Strategies for Alopecia
Nanotechnology improves minoxidil treatment for hair loss.
research Sulfotransferase activity in plucked hair follicles predicts response to topical minoxidil treatment in Brazilian female pattern hair loss patients
Hair enzyme activity predicts minoxidil success in Brazilian women with hair loss.
research
Minoxidil and its use in hair disorders: a review
Minoxidil effectively treats hair loss, but use cautiously and monitor side effects.
research Topical minoxidil fortified with finasteride: An account of maintenance of hair density after replacing oral finasteride
Minoxidil and finasteride combo maintains hair density effectively.
research Randomized clinical trial comparing 5% and 1% topical minoxidil for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in Japanese men
5% minoxidil works better for hair growth than 1% minoxidil.
research Is topical minoxidil solution effective on androgenetic alopecia in routine daily practice?
Minoxidil solution had low effect, causing 99% to stop using it.
research A randomized clinical trial of 5% topical minoxidil versus 2% topical minoxidil and placebo in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in men
5% minoxidil works better for hair growth and density, with minor irritation.
research The Pharmacokinetics of 2.5- to 10-mg Oral Doses of Minoxidil in Healthy Volunteers
This document studied minoxidil in healthy volunteers. Minoxidil is quickly absorbed and eliminated from the body.
Related
research Comprehensive review of oral minoxidil in alopecia
research Efficacy of systemic minoxidil and tofacitinib combination in treatment‐resistant alopecia universalis
Using minoxidil and tofacitinib together can effectively treat severe hair loss.
research 575 Topical minoxidil adherence in alopecia patients
The research found that certain characteristics like age, sex, race, marital status, and education level can influence whether alopecia patients stick to their hair loss treatment with topical minoxidil.
research The Use of Trichoscopy to Assess the Efficacy of Topical Minoxidil 2% Solution in Patients with Female Pattern Hair Loss
research Off-Label Use of Topical Minoxidil in Alopecia: A Review
Minoxidil helps treat eyebrow thinning, monilethrix, early hair loss, and shortens chemo-related hair loss.
research Scalp Psoriasiform Contact Dermatitis with Acute Telogen Effluvium due to Topical Minoxidil Treatment
Minoxidil treatment for hair loss can cause scalp allergy and severe hair loss.
research Topical Minoxidil
Minoxidil promotes hair regrowth, but more research needed for effectiveness and response factors.