A Survey of Patient Attitudes on Topical Minoxidil for the Treatment of Hair Loss

This study surveyed 93 patients to understand their attitudes towards using topical minoxidil for hair loss treatment. The majority of respondents were female (78.5%) and African American (41.9%), with 35% experiencing hair loss for over 5 years. While 79.6% were aware of minoxidil, only 15.1% were current users, and 20.4% had used it in the past. Satisfaction was higher among current users (3.50 ± 0.65) compared to past users (2.22 ± 1.22). Common barriers to using minoxidil included concerns about side effects (39%), cost (29%), and the need for life-long use (27%). The main reason for discontinuation was poor efficacy. The study suggests that addressing these concerns through patient counseling could improve adherence to minoxidil treatment.