Generalized hypertrichosis after treatment with topical minoxidil
March 1994
in “Clinical and Experimental Dermatology”
TLDR Too much topical minoxidil can cause excessive hair growth, but stopping treatment reverses it.
This article reports a case of a 16-year-old girl who developed generalized hypertrichosis (excessive hair growth) three months after applying topical minoxidil for treatment of diffuse alopecia in doses greater than that prescribed. Hypertrichosis is a common side-effect of oral minoxidil treatment for hypertension, but it is uncommon after treatment with topical minoxidil for alopecia, and normally only occurs in areas close to the site of application. The abnormal hair gradually diminished and disappeared four months after discontinuing treatment. The article concludes that an excess of topical minoxidil can induce a generalized hypertrichosis in certain patients, which is reversible after discontinuing treatment.
View this study on academic.oup.com →
Cited in this study
research Topical minoxidil (3%) in extensive alopecia areata, including long-term efficacy
3% topical minoxidil effectively treats extensive alopecia areata with few side effects.
research Scalp comedones after topical minoxidil
Minoxidil can cause scalp comedones and acne.
research Contact dermatitis to Minoxidil
Minoxidil can cause skin irritation like eczema and rash in some users.
research Allergic contact dermatitis to Minoxidil
Minoxidil can cause allergic reactions like burning, itching, and red bumps.
research Topical minoxidil in early male pattern baldness
Minoxidil promotes hair growth in male pattern baldness.
research Topical minoxidil reduces blood pressure
Minoxidil can lower blood pressure in some people.
research Topically Applied Minoxidil in Baldness
Minoxidil helps hair growth, but results vary.
research Minoxidil Stimulates Cutaneous Blood Flow in Human Balding Scalps: Pharmacodynamics Measured by Laser Doppler Velocimetry and Photopulse Plethysmography
Minoxidil increases blood flow in balding scalps, possibly reversing hair loss.
research Direct Effects of Minoxidil on Epidermal Cells in Culture
Minoxidil promotes hair growth by increasing cell division and DNA synthesis.
research Effect of Minoxidil on Cultured Keratinocytes
Minoxidil helps hair cells live longer and grow longer.
research Pharmacokinetic studies of minoxidil
Minoxidil quickly leaves blood, turns into urine metabolites, and has lasting blood pressure-lowering effects.
Related
research Bicalutamide Improves Minoxidil-Induced Hypertrichosis in Female Pattern Hair Loss: A Retrospective Review of 35 Patients
research Characterization and management of hypertrichosis induced by low-dose oral minoxidil in the treatment of hair loss
Low-dose oral minoxidil for hair loss can cause mild excessive hair growth, usually appearing within the first 3 months, but it can be managed by adjusting the dose or removing the unwanted hair, with most people not needing to stop the treatment.
research Minoxidil induced hypertrichosis in a 2 year-old child
A 2-year-old boy grew excessive hair after using minoxidil for hair loss, but it improved when the treatment stopped.
research Generalized hypertrichosis after treatment with topical minoxidil
Too much topical minoxidil can cause excessive hair growth, but stopping treatment reverses it.
research Topical Minoxidil
Minoxidil promotes hair regrowth, but more research needed for effectiveness and response factors.
research Hypertrichosis due to minoxidil
Minoxidil can cause excessive hair growth.