TLDR Minoxidil boosts enzymes that help hair growth.
The study found that minoxidil increases the activity of 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and 5α-reductase in human dermal papilla cells from balding scalp. These enzymes are involved in the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, which is known to contribute to hair loss. The study suggests that minoxidil may work by increasing the activity of these enzymes, leading to increased hair growth. The study was conducted on cultured human dermal papilla cells from balding scalp, and further research is needed to clarify the role of 5α-reductase in male pattern baldness and whether the effect of minoxidil on testosterone metabolism is related to its therapeutic effect.
Cited in this study
3 / 3 results
33 citations
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April 1990 in “Dermatologic Clinics” Minoxidil effectively treats hair loss, with better results in women.
95 citations
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December 1980 in “The New England Journal of Medicine” Minoxidil helped bald patient regrow hair.
102 citations
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September 1977 in “The Lancet” Minoxidil with propranolol and diuretics lowers blood pressure but causes fluid retention and hair growth.
1 citations
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November 2022 in “JAAD case reports” Tofacitinib and oral minoxidil may help treat Sisaipho alopecia areata.
1 citations
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October 2022 in “PubMed” Patients generally have positive attitudes towards using topical Minoxidil for hair loss treatment.
6 citations
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January 2022 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” Male pattern baldness is linked to higher levels of a certain receptor in the scalp, which leads to the shrinking of blood vessels and hair loss. Early treatment targeting this receptor could be more effective.
3 citations
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May 2020 in “Journal of The Korean Medical Association” 
34 citations
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February 1999 in “Journal of Dermatological Science” Minoxidil boosts enzymes that help hair growth.
19 citations
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January 1997 in “Dermatologic Clinics” Most treatments for hair loss in 1997 were not effective for most people, and maintaining hair growth was difficult.
January 1990 Different hair growth phases affect how follicles respond to X-rays, and hormones like testosterone and dihydrotestosterone play a key role in baldness; transplanted hair can grow on bald scalp areas.
