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

March 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.

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Research cited in this study

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

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

research Topical Minoxidil in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

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

Research cited in this study

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

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

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

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

research Investigative Guidelines for Alopecia Areata

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

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

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

research Topical Minoxidil in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

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