Is There Benefit in Treating Traction Alopecia With Minoxidil? A Systematic Review

October 2025 in “ JEADV Clinical Practice ”

Husna Moola, François Rosset, Giuseppe Gallo, Willem Izak Visser

minoxidil traction alopecia Marginal Traction Alopecia Score hair follicles Rogaine TA M-TAS

Studysummary This systematic review found very weak evidence supporting the use of minoxidil as an adjunctive treatment for traction alopecia, with improvements noted from 3 months onwards, primarily based on limited case reports and retrospective case series.

Automatically generated from the study's abstract, not written by a person, and not a review of the full paper. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Read the original study, and consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

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research Orthostatic Symptoms in Women Treated with Low-Dose Oral Minoxidil in the Absence of Overt Hypotension: Implications for Clinical Practice

2 citations , June 2025 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

Low-dose oral minoxidil can cause dizziness in women without lowering blood pressure, so careful monitoring is needed.

research A Literature Review and Guidance on Traction Alopecia in Hijab-Wearing Patients

September 2024 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

This review suggests that tight hairstyles and prolonged periods of wearing hijabs can lead to traction alopecia, with specific management strategies needed for hijab-wearing individuals.

research Low-Dose Oral Minoxidil in Women Affected by Traction Alopecia: Real-World Outcomes

3 citations , May 2024 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

research Changes in Minoxidil Prescribing After Media Attention About Oral Use for Hair Loss

May 2023 in “JAMA network open”

After a New York Times article talked about using low-dose oral minoxidil for hair loss, more people started getting this drug prescribed, but this trend didn't last long.

research Traction Alopecia

1 citations , May 2023 in “JAMA dermatology”

Tight hairstyles can cause hair loss, which can be permanent if not treated early.

research Low-Dose Oral Minoxidil Improves Hair Density in Traction Alopecia

February 2023 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This publication discusses the use of low-dose oral minoxidil for treating traction alopecia but reports no new clinical outcomes; further research on its efficacy and safety is needed.

research Treatment of Traction Alopecia with Oral Minoxidil

1 citations , March 2022 in “JAAD case reports”

This review discusses traction alopecia, its causes, and common treatments, noting a lack of data on effective treatment options; the authors emphasize altering hair care practices to potentially reverse early-stage alopecia.

research Review of Oral Minoxidil as Treatment of Hair Disorders: In Search of the Perfect Dose

21 citations , March 2021

This study reviewed the literature on low-dose oral minoxidil as a primary treatment for various hair loss disorders, concluding that it is a successful and well-tolerated alternative to topical minoxidil for patients with poor adherence to other therapies.

research Evaluating the Effect of Minoxidil in the Treatment of Traction Alopecia

January 2020 in “El-Minia Medical Bulletin”

In this study, treatment with minoxidil led to clinical improvement in hair growth and density for most of the 10 patients with traction alopecia, starting around 3 months and completing by 6 months.

research Bitemporal Hair Loss Related to Traction Alopecia

7 citations , January 2016 in “Dermatology online journal”

This case report describes a 24-year-old woman with traction alopecia, highlighting that if the excessive traction is not addressed, it can progress from reversible to permanent hair loss.

research Hair Care Practices and Their Association With Scalp and Hair Disorders in African American Girls

59 citations , August 2010 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This study observed that certain hair care practices, such as wearing cornrows and using hair extensions, were strongly associated with the development of traction alopecia and seborrheic dermatitis in African American girls.

research Traction Alopecia: 2% Topical Minoxidil Shows Promise. Report of Two Cases

40 citations , December 2006 in “Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

This article reports two cases where 2% topical minoxidil showed promise in treating traction alopecia, but it does not offer broader clinical conclusions.