Minoxidil: a comprehensive review
July 2021
in “Journal of Dermatological Treatment”
TLDR
Minoxidil effectively treats hair loss, especially androgenetic alopecia, but needs more research for better understanding.
This document is a compilation of various summaries and reviews of minoxidil, a medication used to treat hair loss. The majority of the reviews conclude that minoxidil is a safe and effective treatment for hair loss, particularly androgenetic alopecia, with topical minoxidil being the most commonly used form. The document also highlights the importance of proper patient selection, dosing, and monitoring to achieve optimal results and minimize adverse effects. Some reviews suggest that more research is needed to fully understand minoxidil's mechanisms and potential side effects, and to optimize its use.
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Cited in this study
research Safety of low-dose oral minoxidil for hair loss: A multicenter study of 1404 patients
Low-dose oral minoxidil safely treats hair loss, with hypertrichosis as main side effect.
research Review of oral minoxidil as treatment of hair disorders: in search of the perfect dose
Oral minoxidil effectively treats hair loss, with women needing lower doses (0.25 to 2.5 mg daily) and men needing higher doses (1.25 to 5 mg daily).
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
A novel topical combination of minoxidil and spironolactone for androgenetic alopecia: Clinical, histopathological, and physicochemical study
Minoxidil and spironolactone combo effectively treats androgenetic alopecia, improving hair density and diameter.
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 Efficacy and Safety of Oral Minoxidil 5 mg Once Daily in the Treatment of Male Patients with Androgenetic Alopecia: An Open-Label and Global Photographic Assessment
Oral minoxidil 5 mg daily increases hair growth safely in men with hair loss, with minor side effects.
research Efficacy and safety of very-low-dose oral minoxidil 1.25 mg in male androgenetic alopecia
Low-dose oral minoxidil improves hair growth in male hair loss.
research Treatment of male and female pattern hair loss with sublingual minoxidil: a retrospective case‐series of 64 patients
Sublingual minoxidil effectively treats hair loss with mild side effects.
research At the crossroads of 2 alopecias: Androgenetic alopecia pattern of hair regrowth in patients with alopecia areata treated with oral Janus kinase inhibitors
JAK inhibitors help hair regrowth but not fully effective for androgenetic alopecia.
research Dihydrotestosterone Regulates Hair Growth Through the Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway in C57BL/6 Mice and In Vitro Organ Culture
research Exploring the potential of minoxidil tretinoin liposomal based hydrogel for topical delivery in the treatment of androgenic alopecia
Minoxidil tretinoin liposomal based hydrogel shows promise for effective treatment of hair loss by delivering both drugs at the same time.
research Oral minoxidil bio‐activation by hair follicle outer root sheath cell sulfotransferase enzymes predicts clinical efficacy in female pattern hair loss
Minoxidil activation by hair enzymes predicts treatment success for female hair loss.
research Very-low-dose oral minoxidil in male androgenetic alopecia: A study with quantitative trichoscopic documentation
Low-dose oral minoxidil improved or stabilized hair loss in some patients, but higher doses may be needed for significant effects.
research Minoxidil 1 mg oral versus minoxidil 5% topical solution for the treatment of female-pattern hair loss: A randomized clinical trial
Oral minoxidil and topical minoxidil 5% both effectively improve female-pattern hair loss with safe side effects.
research Effectiveness and safety of low-dose oral minoxidil in male androgenetic alopecia
Low-dose oral minoxidil effectively improves male hair loss with mild side effects.
research Advances in Regenerative Stem Cell Therapy in Androgenic Alopecia and Hair Loss: Wnt Pathway, Growth-Factor, and Mesenchymal Stem Cell Signaling Impact Analysis on Cell Growth and Hair Follicle Development
Stem cell therapy, particularly using certain types of cells, shows promise for treating hair loss by stimulating hair growth and development, but more extensive trials are needed to confirm these findings.
research Tretinoin enhances minoxidil response in androgenetic alopecia patients by upregulating follicular sulfotransferase enzymes
Tretinoin boosts minoxidil's effect on hair loss by increasing enzyme activity.
research Complementary and Alternative Treatments for Alopecia: A Comprehensive Review
research Platelet-rich plasma for androgenetic alopecia: A review of the literature and proposed treatment protocol
PRP shows promise for hair loss treatment, with three initial monthly injections and maintenance every 3-6 months.
research A randomized, double-blind controlled study of the efficacy and safety of topical solution of 0.25% finasteride admixed with 3% minoxidil vs. 3% minoxidil solution in the treatment of male androgenetic alopecia
Finasteride and minoxidil mix works better for hair growth than minoxidil alone, with similar safety.
research Low-dose daily aspirin reduces topical minoxidil efficacy in androgenetic alopecia patients
Daily low-dose aspirin lowers minoxidil's effectiveness for hair loss treatment.
research Case series of oral minoxidil for androgenetic and traction alopecia: Tolerability & the five C’s of oral therapy
Oral minoxidil helps hair growth, is cost-effective, and mostly well-tolerated.
research Treatment of chronic telogen effluvium with oral minoxidil: A retrospective study
Oral minoxidil effectively reduces hair shedding in women with CTE, with no major side effects.
research A comparative study of microneedling with platelet-rich plasma plus topical minoxidil (5%) and topical minoxidil (5%) alone in androgenetic alopecia
Microneedling with platelet-rich plasma and minoxidil improves hair growth more than just minoxidil in men with hair loss.
research Effect of minoxidil topical foam on frontotemporal and vertex androgenetic alopecia in men: a 104‐week open‐label clinical trial
Minoxidil foam promotes hair growth and reduces hair loss safely in men.
research Management of androgenetic alopecia: a comparative clinical study between plasma rich in growth factors and topical minoxidil
PRGF treatment is safer and more effective for hair loss than topical minoxidil.
research A Single-Centre, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial to Investigate the Efficacy and Safety of Minoxidil Topical Foam in Frontotemporal and Vertex Androgenetic Alopecia in Men
Minoxidil foam effectively promotes hair growth and reduces hair loss in men.
research A 3-Month, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study Evaluating the Ability of an Extra-Strength Marine Protein Supplement to Promote Hair Growth and Decrease Shedding in Women with Self-Perceived Thinning Hair
research Novel enzymatic assay predicts minoxidil response in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia
New test predicts if hair loss treatment will work.
research Scalp Micropigmentation
SMP is a medical tattoo for hair loss, improving appearance and camouflaging scars, but requires skill and has limitations.
research Role of Platelet-rich Plasma in the Management of Androgenetic Alopecia
PRP helps hair growth in common hair loss disorder.
research A randomized, single-blind trial of 5% minoxidil foam once daily versus 2% minoxidil solution twice daily in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in women
5% minoxidil foam once daily works as well as 2% minoxidil solution twice daily for female hair growth and is more convenient.
research Minoxidil activates β-catenin pathway in human dermal papilla cells: A possible explanation for its anagen prolongation effect
Minoxidil helps hair growth by activating the β-catenin pathway.
research Hair growth and rejuvenation: An overview
research Hair Restoration Surgery in Asians
Asian hair restoration surgery requires different methods due to the unique characteristics of Asian hair, such as its sparseness and coarseness.
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 Medical treatments for male and female pattern hair loss
Minoxidil and finasteride treat hair loss in men, while minoxidil treats hair loss in women.
research Human hair follicles contain two forms of ATP‐ sensitive potassium channels, only one of which is sensitive to minoxidil
One minoxidil-sensitive potassium channel exists in human hair follicles.
research A review of modern surgical hair restoration techniques
Modern hair restoration techniques have evolved from punch grafting to methods like micro-grafting and follicular unit transplantation, but they are labor-intensive, expensive, and can lead to patient dissatisfaction. Future treatments may involve cloned hair follicles and drugs like finasteride.
research A multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial of a novel formulation of 5% minoxidil topical foam versus placebo in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in men
New 5% minoxidil foam effectively promotes hair growth and is safe for use.
research Bioengineering the Hair Follicle
Bioengineering can potentially treat hair loss by regenerating hair follicles and cloning hair, but the process is complex and needs more research.
research A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of 5% and 2% topical minoxidil solutions in the treatment of female pattern hair loss
5% and 2% minoxidil solutions effectively promote hair growth and reduce hair loss, with 5% being slightly more effective but having more side effects.
research An Open, Randomized, Comparative Study of Oral Finasteride and 5% Topical Minoxidil in Male Androgenetic Alopecia
Oral finasteride works better than topical minoxidil for hair growth, both are safe.
research Minoxidil vs Finasteride in the Treatment of Men With Androgenetic Alopecia
Finasteride slightly better long-term, minoxidil faster initial results, but stopping minoxidil may cause hair loss.
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 Allergic contact dermatitis to topical minoxidil solution: Etiology and treatment
Minoxidil can cause skin allergy; use alternative solvents or treatments if allergic.
research Minoxidil increases 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and 5α-reductase activity of cultured human dermal papilla cells from balding scalp
Minoxidil boosts enzymes that help hair growth.
research Minoxidil upregulates the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in human hair dermal papilla cells
Minoxidil boosts growth factor in hair cells, potentially promoting hair growth.
research Sulfation of minoxidil by multiple human cytosolic sulfotransferases
Minoxidil breakdown varies by enzymes, affecting hair loss treatment effectiveness.
research Ketoconazole Shampoo: Effect of Long-Term Use in Androgenic Alopecia
research Minoxidil Sulfation in the Hair Follicle
Minoxidil helps hair growth by activating enzymes in hair follicles.
research Localization of Minoxidil Sulfotransferase in Rat Liver and the Outer Root Sheath of Anagen Pelage and Vibrissa Follicles
Minoxidil works in liver and outer hair root sheath for hair growth.
research Minoxidil Sulfate Is the Active Metabolite that Stimulates Hair Follicles
Minoxidil sulfate stimulates hair growth.
research The Effect of Topical Minoxidil on Hair Follicular Cycles of Rats
Minoxidil speeds up hair growth in rats without prolonging growth phase.
research Five-year follow-up of men with androgenetic alopecia treated with topical minoxidil
Minoxidil treatment increased hair growth for up to 5 years, requiring twice daily application.
research Topical Minoxidil Used Before and After Hair Transplantation
Using topical minoxidil before and after hair transplant surgery can reduce shedding and improve hair regrowth.
research The history of the development of minoxidil
Minoxidil was first made for high blood pressure, but it was later found to help hair growth.
research Topical Minoxidil in Androgenetic Alopecia Scandinavian and Middle East Experience
The study found that using 2% minoxidil solution can help grow hair and is safe.
research Selective inhibition by minoxidil of prostacyclin production by cells in culture
Minoxidil stops cells from making prostacyclin, which may help with hair growth. More research is needed.
research Dose-response study of topical minoxidil in male pattern alopecia
Minoxidil 1% and 2% best promote hair growth and may prevent hair loss.
research Topical minoxidil solution (1% and 5%) in the treatment of alopecia areata
Minoxidil solution helps hair regrowth in alopecia areata, with 5% being more effective.
research Use of topical minoxidil in the treatment of male pattern baldness
Minoxidil effectively regrows hair in male pattern baldness.
research Androgenetic alopecia: Treatment results with topical minoxidil
Topical minoxidil is a safe and effective treatment for hair loss caused by androgenetic alopecia.
research Double-blind, placebo-controlled evaluation of topical minoxidil in extensive alopecia areata
Minoxidil helps hair growth in 63.6% of alopecia patients, with 27.3% having excellent results.
research Action of topical minoxidil in the bald stump-tailed macaque
Minoxidil promotes hair growth but stops working when discontinued.
research Topical Minoxidil
Minoxidil promotes hair regrowth, but more research needed for effectiveness and response factors.
research Dose-response study of topical minoxidil in male pattern baldness
Lowest effective minoxidil concentration is 1%, but 2% works better for male pattern baldness.
research Topically Applied Minoxidil in Baldness
Minoxidil helps hair growth, but results vary.
research Percutaneous Absorption of Minoxidil in Man
Minoxidil absorbs poorly through skin, with low risk of side effects at 1-2% concentration.
research Minoxidil: a review of its pharmacological properties and therapeutic use.
Minoxidil effectively treats severe hypertension but may cause side effects, so careful monitoring is needed.
Related
research Minoxidil: a comprehensive review
Minoxidil effectively treats hair loss, especially androgenetic alopecia, but needs more research for better understanding.
research Treatments for Androgenetic Alopecia and Alopecia Areata
Minoxidil and finasteride treat hair loss; more research needed for other options.
research [Treatment of androgenic alopecia with topical minoxidil].
Minoxidil, a topical solution, was found to slow balding in most cases and increase hair density in some, but only a few saw significant cosmetic improvement.
research Topical Minoxidil
Minoxidil promotes hair regrowth, but more research needed for effectiveness and response factors.