Efficacy of Topical Minoxidil in Enhancing Beard Growth in Transgender Individuals Assigned Female at Birth on Gender Affirming Hormone Therapy

April 2024 in “ Journal of endocrinological investigation ”

Lorenzo Marinelli, Andreina Bichiri, Serena Cagnina, Laura Castellá, Ezio Ghigo, Giovanna Motta

topical minoxidil beard growth transgender individuals gender affirming hormone therapy GAHT hirsutism facial hair growth Rogaine hormone therapy

Studysummary This study found that topical minoxidil significantly enhanced facial hair growth in transgender individuals assigned female at birth undergoing gender affirming hormone therapy, with improvements most notable after six months of use. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

The study evaluated the effectiveness of topical minoxidil in promoting beard growth in 16 transgender individuals assigned female at birth (t-AFAB) who had been on gender affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) for at least 6 months. The participants, who were 26 years old on average, showed significant facial hair growth over time, particularly after 6 months of applying minoxidil. The study found a significant increase in hair growth on both the chin and upper lip. The presence of hirsutism before starting GAHT increased the likelihood of developing a full beard by 15 times. The study concluded that topical 2% minoxidil was effective and safe in promoting facial hair growth in t-AFAB individuals on GAHT.

View this study on link.springer.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

16 / 16 results

research Treatment Options for Androgenetic Alopecia: Efficacy, Side Effects, Compliance, Financial Considerations, and Ethics

17 citations , November 2021 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”

This review discusses treatment options for androgenetic alopecia, highlighting the need for personalized, evidence-based approaches but reports no new clinical results.

research Case Report: Successful Use of Minoxidil to Promote Facial Hair Growth in an Adolescent Transgender Male

1 citations , September 2021 in “Frontiers in Endocrinology”

This case report describes the use of topical minoxidil to successfully promote facial hair growth in a 17-year-old trans male unable to start testosterone therapy, with skin dryness as the only reported side effect.

research Hormonal Treatment Strategies Tailored to Non-Binary Transgender Individuals

50 citations , May 2020 in “Journal of Clinical Medicine”

This review highlights the need for tailored hormonal treatment strategies for non-binary transgender individuals, emphasizing personalized care to enhance psychological well-being and quality of life.

research Minoxidil And Its Use In Hair Disorders: A Review

117 citations , August 2019 in “Drug Design Development and Therapy”

This review article provides an updated overview of the pharmacology, mechanism of action, clinical efficacy, and adverse events associated with topical minoxidil, a widely used treatment for androgenetic alopecia and other hair loss conditions, while noting that its exact mechanism is still not fully understood.

research Endocrinology of Transgender Medicine

166 citations , October 2018 in “Endocrine Reviews”

This review discusses the effects of hormonal treatments on the physical and mental health of transgender individuals, reporting significant reductions in mental health issues following treatment, but calls for more research on long-term and nonbinary outcomes.

research Efficacy and Safety of Minoxidil 3% Lotion for Beard Enhancement: A Randomized, Double-Masked, Placebo-Controlled Study

9 citations , February 2016 in “The Journal of Dermatology”

This letter provides no study results about minoxidil 3% lotion for beard enhancement but instead shares author and affiliation details for the published research.

research Short- and Long-Term Clinical Skin Effects of Testosterone Treatment in Trans Men

110 citations , October 2013 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine”

This study found that testosterone therapy in trans men increased facial and body hair growth while the prevalence and severity of acne peaked at 6 months but were primarily mild after long-term treatment.

research Human Hair Follicles Contain Two Forms of ATP-Sensitive Potassium Channels, Only One Sensitive to Minoxidil

102 citations , February 2008 in “The FASEB Journal”

This study found that human hair follicles express ATP-sensitive potassium channels, suggesting that minoxidil acts on these channels and that drugs targeting them may treat hair disorders.

research Evaluation and Treatment of Hirsutism in Premenopausal Women: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline

502 citations , February 2008 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism”

This review discusses hirsutism management guidelines, recommending androgen testing only for women with abnormal hirsutism scores and advocating for combined therapy approaches depending on severity and underlying conditions, but it reports no new clinical results.

research Hirsutism

271 citations , December 2005 in “New England journal of medicine/The New England journal of medicine”

This article discusses evaluation and treatment options for a 19-year-old woman with slowly progressive hair growth and reports no new clinical findings.

research Minoxidil: An Underused Vasodilator for Resistant or Severe Hypertension

74 citations , May 2004 in “Journal of Clinical Hypertension”

Minoxidil effectively treats severe hypertension, but watch for side effects.

research Effects of Sex Steroid Deprivation and Administration on Hair Growth and Skin Sebum Production in Transsexual Males and Females

176 citations , August 2000 in “The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism/Journal of clinical endocrinology & metabolism”

In this study, cross-sex hormone therapy affected hair growth patterns differently, with estrogen reducing hair growth in male-to-female transsexuals and testosterone increasing it in female-to-male transsexuals; however, male typical hair diameters were not fully reached in the latter group after 12 months.

research Androgen-Dependent Beard Dermal Papilla Cells Secrete Autocrine Growth Factors in Response to Testosterone Unlike Scalp Cells

51 citations , November 1998 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology”

In this study, researchers found that while both beard and scalp dermal papilla cells release similar autocrine growth factors, only beard cells increased production and response with testosterone, suggesting these factors enhance androgen-induced hair growth.

research Allergic Contact Dermatitis from Minoxidil

32 citations , May 1995 in “Contact Dermatitis”

This article reviews previous cases and reports of allergic contact dermatitis from minoxidil but does not provide new clinical findings.

research Minoxidil Stimulates Mouse Vibrissae Follicles in Organ Culture

121 citations , March 1989 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Minoxidil can help grow hair in mice by making cells grow and improving hair quality. More research needed.

research Minoxidil and the Treatment of Severe Hypertension

51 citations , October 1980 in “The New England Journal of Medicine”

Minoxidil lowers blood pressure effectively but may cause unwanted hair growth and other side effects.