Enhanced Clinical Outcomes and Treatment Adherence in Patients Using Compounded Topical Minoxidil to Treat Androgenetic and Traction Alopecia

August 2025 in “ PubMed ”

James H. Wyche, Crystal Aguh

compounded topical minoxidil androgenetic alopecia traction alopecia steroid retinoid over-the-counter minoxidil CTM OTC minoxidil

Studysummary This study found that compounded topical minoxidil was associated with higher adherence, fewer side effects, and more clinical improvement in Black women compared to over-the-counter minoxidil. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

This study evaluated the effectiveness and adherence of compounded topical minoxidil (CTM) in treating androgenetic and traction alopecia in 66 Black women at Johns Hopkins Hospital. The CTM formulation included a steroid and retinoid, and was compared to over-the-counter (OTC) minoxidil. Results showed that 69.6% of patients using CTM reported clinical improvement, compared to 45.0% with OTC minoxidil. Additionally, CTM had a higher adherence rate of 84.7% versus 44.7% for OTC minoxidil, and fewer side effects were reported with CTM. The study suggests that CTM may be more effective and better tolerated than OTC minoxidil for this patient group.

View this study on pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

7 / 7 results

Comparative Clinical Study Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of Topical 5% Cetosomal Minoxidil and Topical 5% Alcohol-Based Minoxidil Solutions for the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia in Indian Men

research Comparative Clinical Study Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of Topical 5% Cetosomal Minoxidil and Topical 5% Alcohol-Based Minoxidil Solutions for the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia in Indian Men

October 2023 in “Cureus”

This study compared the safety and effectiveness of 5% cetosomal minoxidil to 5% alcohol-based minoxidil in Indian men with androgenetic alopecia, finding that cetosomal minoxidil had improved safety and similar efficacy, making it a potentially better option for those sensitive to alcohol-based formulations.

Minoxidil Sulfotransferase Enzymatical Activity in Plants: A Novel Paradigm in Increasing Minoxidil Response in Androgenetic Alopecia

research Minoxidil Sulfotransferase Enzymatical Activity in Plants: A Novel Paradigm in Increasing Minoxidil Response in Androgenetic Alopecia

August 2023 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”

This study characterized the activity of naturally occurring minoxidil sulfotransferase enzymes in various plants and found that seven out of ten botanical extracts showed significant activity, suggesting these could potentially enhance minoxidil response in treating androgenetic alopecia.

research Compliance to Topical Minoxidil and Reasons for Discontinuation Among Patients With Androgenetic Alopecia

April 2023 in “Dermatology and therapy”

This study found a high discontinuation rate of topical minoxidil among patients with androgenetic alopecia, largely influenced by short treatment duration, lack of efficacy, and adverse effects.

research Does Topical Minoxidil at Concentrations Higher Than 5% Provide Additional Clinical Benefit?

4 citations , July 2022 in “Clinical and Experimental Dermatology”

This review examines the efficacy and safety of using minoxidil at concentrations greater than 5% for androgenetic alopecia but reports no new clinical results, emphasizing a need for further research.

research Tretinoin Enhances Minoxidil Response in Androgenetic Alopecia Patients by Upregulating Follicular Sulfotransferase Enzymes

8 citations , April 2019 in “Dermatologic Therapy”

This study found that applying topical tretinoin can influence follicular sulfotransferase expression, enabling 43% of predicted nonresponders to minoxidil to respond positively in the context of androgenetic alopecia.

research Off-Label Use of Topical Minoxidil in Alopecia: A Review

32 citations , January 2019 in “American Journal of Clinical Dermatology”

This review discusses the use of topical minoxidil for various types of alopecia and reports mixed evidence on its efficacy, with stronger support noted for conditions like eyebrow hypotrichosis and chemotherapy-induced alopecia.

research Hair Breakage in Patients of African Descent: Role of Dermoscopy

12 citations , January 2015 in “Skin appendage disorders”

This article illustrates that dermoscopy can quickly diagnose hair breakage due to intrinsic and chemical factors in patients of African descent, although published findings are limited.