Minoxidil for Patchy Alopecia Areata: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

September 2019 in “ Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology ”

P.C.B. Freire, Raúl Riera, Ana Luiza Cabrera Martimbianco, V Petri, Álvaro Nagib Atallah

minoxidil alopecia areata topical minoxidil placebo adverse events Rogaine

TLDR Minoxidil effectively and safely treats patchy hair loss, but more research needed.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials evaluated the effectiveness and safety of over 80 interventions for patchy alopecia areata (AA), including minoxidil. The study found that topical 5% minoxidil is effective and safe compared to placebo in children and adults with patchy AA, and that there are minimal adverse events in the short term. However, the quality of evidence was low to moderate due to the small sample sizes and high risk of bias in some studies. Further research is needed to confirm these findings.

View this study on onlinelibrary.wiley.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Cited in this study

9 / 9 results

research Efficacy of Topical Latanoprost Versus Minoxidil and Betamethasone Valerate on the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

15 citations , January 2018 in “Journal of Dermatological Treatment”

Latanoprost works better for hair growth, and combining it with betamethasone valerate is most effective.

research SALT II: A New Take on the Severity of Alopecia Tool for Determining Percentage Scalp Hair Loss

44 citations , December 2016 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

The updated SALT II tool offers a more precise way to measure scalp hair loss.

research Health-Related Quality of Life Among Patients With Alopecia Areata: A Systematic Review

95 citations , October 2016 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

People with alopecia areata, a skin disease, generally have a poor quality of life, especially if more of their scalp is affected.

research British Association of Dermatologists’ Guidelines for the Management of Alopecia Areata 2012

218 citations , May 2012 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Guidelines suggest various treatments for alopecia areata, but leaving it untreated is also an option as 80% cases may recover on their own.

research Investigative Guidelines for Alopecia Areata

66 citations , May 2011 in “Dermatologic therapy”

Guidelines help design better trials to compare alopecia areata treatments.

research Topical Minoxidil in Alopecia Areata: No Effect on the Perifollicular Lymphoid Infiltration

33 citations , July 1992 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Minoxidil doesn't affect perifollicular lymphoid infiltration in alopecia areata patients.

research Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Evaluation of Topical Minoxidil in Extensive Alopecia Areata

104 citations , March 1987 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Minoxidil helps hair growth in 63.6% of alopecia patients, with 27.3% having excellent results.

research Topical Minoxidil (3%) in Extensive Alopecia Areata, Including Long-Term Efficacy

54 citations , March 1987 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

3% topical minoxidil effectively treats extensive alopecia areata with few side effects.

research Topical Minoxidil in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

80 citations , October 1983 in “BMJ”

Minoxidil helps hair regrowth in alopecia patients, with 16 having good results and no side effects.

8 / 8 results

research Potential Herbal Medicine for Alopecia Areata Treatment: A Systematic Review

December 2022 in “International journal of research publications”

research Sisaipho Alopecia Areata Treated With Tofacitinib and Oral Minoxidil

1 citations , November 2022 in “JAAD case reports”

Tofacitinib and oral minoxidil may help treat Sisaipho alopecia areata.

research Efficacy of Systemic Minoxidil and Tofacitinib Combination in Treatment-Resistant Alopecia Universalis

1 citations , June 2021 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”

Using minoxidil and tofacitinib together can effectively treat severe hair loss.

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

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

Minoxidil helps treat eyebrow thinning, monilethrix, early hair loss, and shortens chemo-related hair loss.

research The Efficacy of Topical Minoxidil for Non-Scarring Alopecia: A Systematic Review

1 citations , February 2019 in “PubMed”

Minoxidil is effective in treating various types of hair loss and can improve quality of life, with combination therapies showing increased effectiveness.

research Alopecia Areata: Evidence-Based Treatments

71 citations , March 2009 in “Seminars in cutaneous medicine and surgery”

Alopecia areata can cause unpredictable hair loss, and treatments like corticosteroids and minoxidil may help but have varying side effects.

research Alopecia Areata Treated With Topical Minoxidil

78 citations , April 1984 in “Archives of Dermatology”

Minoxidil can help regrow hair in alopecia areata patients.

research Topical Minoxidil in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

80 citations , October 1983 in “BMJ”

Minoxidil helps hair regrowth in alopecia patients, with 16 having good results and no side effects.