Efficacy and Safety of Once-Daily Minoxidil Foam 5% Versus Twice-Daily Minoxidil Solution 2% in Female Pattern Hair Loss: A Phase III, Randomized, Investigator-Blinded Study
September 2016
in “
Faculty Opinions – Post-Publication Peer Review of the Biomedical Literature
”
TLDR Once-daily 5% minoxidil foam increases hair regrowth and density in women with hair loss, but not as effectively as twice-daily 2% minoxidil solution, though it's safer and more convenient.
The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness and safety of once-daily 5% minoxidil topical foam (MTF) versus twice-daily 2% minoxidil topical solution (MTS) for the treatment of female pattern hair loss (FPHL). The study included 322 healthy women who received either once-daily 5% MTF or twice-daily 2% MTS for 52 weeks. The assessment criteria included changes in hair count and density, as well as safety evaluations. The study found that both treatments increased hair regrowth and density in FPHL for up to 1 year. However, the noninferiority criteria for once-daily 5% MTF was not achieved. The once-daily application of the foam formulation was well tolerated and did not cause significant side effects. Overall, the study suggests that 5% MTF could be a convenient and effective option for women with FPHL.
