Effects of Oral Minoxidil on Serum VEGF and Hair Regrowth in Androgenetic Alopecia

January 2025 in “ Acta Dermatovenerologica Alpina Pannonica et Adriatica ”

Ahmed Abdulhussein Kawen

oral minoxidil VEGF androgenetic alopecia hair regrowth hair count hair diameter shedding pull test biomarker AGA Rogaine vascular endothelial growth factor male pattern baldness

TLDR Oral minoxidil boosts hair growth and reduces shedding in androgenetic alopecia.

This study investigated the effects of oral minoxidil on serum VEGF levels and hair regrowth in androgenetic alopecia, involving 50 participants split into two groups: oral minoxidil (1 mg/day) and control. After 12 weeks, the minoxidil group showed a significant increase in VEGF levels compared to the control (217.88 ± 22.65 pg/ml vs. 142.81 ± 23.14 pg/ml, p < 0.0001). Hair count and diameter improved significantly, while shedding and pull test results decreased. Positive correlations were found between VEGF and hair count, and negative correlations with shedding. The study concludes that oral minoxidil enhances VEGF levels, promoting hair growth and reducing shedding, with VEGF as a potential biomarker for treatment effectiveness in AGA.

View this study on acta-apa.mf.uni-lj.si →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

21 / 21 results

research Oral Minoxidil for Late Alopecia in Cancer Survivors

14 citations , August 2024 in “Breast Cancer Research and Treatment”

Oral minoxidil effectively improves hair regrowth in cancer survivors with late alopecia.

Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Low-Dose Oral Minoxidil Versus Topical Solution in the Improvement of Androgenetic Alopecia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

research Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Low-Dose Oral Minoxidil Versus Topical Solution in the Improvement of Androgenetic Alopecia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

November 2023 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”

Oral minoxidil is more convenient but topical minoxidil improves hair density better.

Utilization of Response Surface Design for Development and Optimization of Rosuvastatin Calcium-Loaded Nano-Squarticles for Hair Growth Stimulating VEGF and IGF Production: In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation

research Utilization of Response Surface Design for Development and Optimization of Rosuvastatin Calcium-Loaded Nano-Squarticles for Hair Growth Stimulating VEGF and IGF Production: In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation

1 citations , September 2023 in “Drug development and industrial pharmacy”

The optimized formula promotes significant hair growth and could be a viable hair loss treatment.

research Oral Minoxidil For Hair Loss: Update And Perspectives

May 2023 in “Hair transplant forum international”

Oral minoxidil shows promise for hair growth but needs more research on dosing and side effects.

research Hair Regrowth Treatment Efficacy and Resistance in Androgenetic Alopecia: A Systematic Review and Continuous Bayesian Network Meta-Analysis

January 2023 in “Frontiers in Medicine”

ALRV5XR is the most effective hair regrowth treatment at 24 weeks.

research Comparison of Oral Minoxidil, Finasteride, and Dutasteride for Treating Androgenetic Alopecia

1 citations , August 2022 in “Journal of Dermatological Treatment”

Dutasteride is the most effective for hair loss but may cause sexual and mental side effects.

research Efficacy and Safety of 5% Minoxidil Alone, Minoxidil Plus Oral Spironolactone, and Minoxidil Plus Microneedling on Female Pattern Hair Loss: A Prospective, Single-Center, Parallel-Group, Evaluator-Blinded, Randomized Trial

2 citations , July 2022 in “Frontiers in Medicine”

Combining minoxidil with microneedling or spironolactone is more effective for female hair loss than using minoxidil alone.

research Different Levels of EGF, VEGF, IL-6, MCP-1, MCP-3, IP-10, Eotaxin, and MIP-1α in the Adipose-Derived Stem Cell Secretome in Androgenetic Alopecia

1 citations , February 2022 in “Experimental Dermatology”

Certain proteins are found at higher levels in balding areas compared to non-balding areas, suggesting a link to hair loss. This could be useful for diagnosing and treating hair loss.

research The Glypican-1/HGF/C-Met and Glypican-1/VEGF/VEGFR2 Ternary Complexes Regulate Hair Follicle Angiogenesis

10 citations , December 2021 in “Frontiers in cell and developmental biology”

Glypican-1 is important for blood vessel growth in hair follicles and could help treat hair loss.

research Low-Dose Oral Minoxidil Increases Hair Density and Thickness in Androgenetic Alopecia: A Retrospective Analysis of 60 Patients

4 citations , October 2021 in “Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

Low-dose oral minoxidil increases hair density and thickness in people with hair loss.

research Health-Related Quality of Life, Depression, and Self-Esteem in Patients With Androgenetic Alopecia

15 citations , July 2021 in “JAMA Dermatology”

Androgenetic alopecia negatively affects quality of life and self-esteem, especially in women, but not depression.

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

21 citations , March 2021

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).

Observation of the Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and the Potential Effect of Promoting Hair Growth Treated with Chinese Herbal BeauTop

research Observation of the Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and the Potential Effect of Promoting Hair Growth Treated with Chinese Herbal BeauTop

3 citations , February 2021 in “Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine”

The Chinese herbal supplement BeauTop can potentially boost hair growth and thickness by increasing a protein called Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor.

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

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

24 citations , September 2020 in “Dermatology and therapy”

Oral minoxidil 5 mg daily increases hair growth safely in men with hair loss, with minor side effects.

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Protects CD200-Rich and CD34-Positive Hair Follicle Stem Cells Against Androgen-Induced Apoptosis Through the Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase/Akt Pathway in Patients With Androgenic Alopecia

research Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Protects CD200-Rich and CD34-Positive Hair Follicle Stem Cells Against Androgen-Induced Apoptosis Through the Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase/Akt Pathway in Patients With Androgenic Alopecia

11 citations , September 2019 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

A substance called Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor can protect certain hair follicle stem cells from damage caused by androgens, suggesting a new possible treatment for hair loss.

research Efficacy of Topical Tofacitinib in Promoting Hair Growth in Non-Scarring Alopecia: Possible Mechanism via VEGF Induction

27 citations , September 2017 in “Archives of Dermatological Research”

Topical tofacitinib may grow hair better than minoxidil by increasing VEGF and reducing inflammation.

An Open-Label Randomized Multicenter Study Assessing the Noninferiority of a Caffeine-Based Topical Liquid 0.2% Versus Minoxidil 5% Solution in Male Androgenetic Alopecia

research An Open-Label Randomized Multicenter Study Assessing the Noninferiority of a Caffeine-Based Topical Liquid 0.2% Versus Minoxidil 5% Solution in Male Androgenetic Alopecia

21 citations , January 2017 in “Skin Pharmacology and Physiology”

Caffeine-based liquid 0.2% is as effective as minoxidil 5% for treating male hair loss.

research Psychological Effect, Pathophysiology, and Management of Androgenetic Alopecia in Men

112 citations , October 2005 in “Mayo Clinic Proceedings”

Minoxidil and finasteride can slow hair loss and stimulate regrowth, but won't restore all lost hair or reverse complete baldness.

research Androgenetic Alopecia: Pathogenesis and Potential for Therapy

174 citations , November 2002 in “Expert Reviews in Molecular Medicine”

Hair loss needs more research for better treatments.

research Control of Hair Growth and Follicle Size by VEGF-Mediated Angiogenesis

520 citations , February 2001 in “Journal of Clinical Investigation”

VEGF helps hair grow and determines follicle size by increasing blood vessel growth.

research Psychological Effects of Androgenetic Alopecia on Women: Comparisons with Balding Men and Female Control Subjects

222 citations , October 1993 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Hair loss affects women's mental health more than men's, causing anxiety, low self-esteem, and social insecurity.

Related Research

7 / 7 results

research Continued Year-On-Year Improvement in Hair Density With Systemic Minoxidil in Women With Female Pattern Hair Loss: A Case Series

March 2025 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

Systemic minoxidil improves hair density in women with female pattern hair loss over time.

research Treatments of Hereditary Hair Loss (Alopecia)

April 2018

Some treatments like minoxidil, finasteride, and surgery can help with hereditary hair loss.

research A Study on Effects of Water-Soluble Minoxidil on Hair Growth in C57BL/6 Mice

January 2007 in “Strait Pharmaceutical Journal”

Water-soluble minoxidil effectively promoted hair growth in mice.

research Effect of Minoxidil on Hair Growth in Androgenic Alopecia in Women

1 citations , September 2002 in “PubMed”

Minoxidil helps stimulate hair growth and reduce hair loss in women with androgenic alopecia.

research Alopecia

January 2002 in “Journal of the Korean Medical Association”

Recent research has provided important insights into hair growth and hair loss treatments.

research Treatment of Hair Loss

370 citations , September 1999 in “The New England Journal of Medicine”

Finasteride and minoxidil are effective for hair loss, but continued research is needed for better treatments.

research Differences in Activity of Minoxidil and Cyclosporin A on Hair Growth in Nude and Normal Mice: Comparisons of In Vivo and In Vitro Studies

35 citations , January 1990 in “PubMed”

Cyclosporin A boosts hair growth in nude mice, but minoxidil does not.