Secondary Cutis Verticis Gyrata Induced by Long-Term Use of High-Dose Topical Minoxidil

August 2024 in “ Skin Appendage Disorders ”

Juste Baksanskaite, Natalia Caballero Uribe, Ralph M. Trüeb

Cutis Verticis Gyrata topical minoxidil male androgenetic alopecia insulin-like growth factor IGF-1 soft tissue hypertrophy hypertrichosis CVG Rogaine male pattern baldness soft tissue growth excessive hair growth

TLDR Long-term use of high-dose topical minoxidil can cause thickened, ridged scalp.

This case report describes a patient who developed secondary Cutis Verticis Gyrata (CVG) after long-term use of high-dose topical minoxidil for male androgenetic alopecia. CVG is characterized by a thickened, cerebriform scalp and is often associated with conditions like acromegaly, which involves excessive production of insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1). Minoxidil can enhance IGF-1's mitogenic effects, leading to soft tissue hypertrophy and hypertrichosis. This is the first documented instance of CVG resulting from topical minoxidil use, highlighting a potential side effect of this common hair loss treatment.

View this study on karger.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

15 / 15 results

research Serious Complication of Low-Dose Oral Minoxidil for Hair Loss

1 citations, October 2022 in “JAAD case reports”

Low-dose oral minoxidil can cause serious heart complications.

research Pericardial, Pleural Effusion and Anasarca: A Rare Complication of Low-Dose Oral Minoxidil for Hair Loss

3 citations, August 2022 in “JAAD case reports”

A woman developed swelling in her body after taking low-dose oral minoxidil for hair loss, but it resolved after stopping the medication.

research Does Topical Minoxidil at Concentrations Higher Than 5% Provide Additional Clinical Benefit?

4 citations, July 2022 in “Clinical and Experimental Dermatology”

Using more than 5% minoxidil can help hair growth more, but results vary and side effects may increase.

research Minoxidil-Induced Hypertrichosis in a Breastfed Infant

March 2022 in “Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

research Safety of Low-Dose Oral Minoxidil for Hair Loss: A Multicenter Study of 1404 Patients

39 citations, February 2021 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Low-dose oral minoxidil safely treats hair loss, with hypertrichosis as main side effect.

Efficacy and Safety of a New 10% Topical Minoxidil Versus 5% Topical Minoxidil and Placebo in the Treatment of Male Androgenetic Alopecia: A Trichoscopic Evaluation

research Efficacy and Safety of a New 10% Topical Minoxidil Versus 5% Topical Minoxidil and Placebo in the Treatment of Male Androgenetic Alopecia: A Trichoscopic Evaluation

14 citations, August 2019 in “Journal of Dermatological Treatment”

10% minoxidil solution better promotes hair growth and reduces hair loss without significant side effects.

research Further Clinical Evidence for the Effect of IGF-1 on Hair Growth and Alopecia

29 citations, August 2017 in “Skin appendage disorders”

IGF-1 may affect hair growth and loss, but more research is needed to confirm effective and safe treatments.

research Cantú Syndrome Is Caused by Mutations in ABCC9

148 citations, May 2012 in “The American Journal of Human Genetics”

Cantú syndrome is caused by mutations in the ABCC9 gene.

Sulfation of Minoxidil in Keratinocytes and Hair Follicles and the Stimulatory Effect of Minoxidil on the Biosynthesis of Glycosaminoglycans

research Sulfation of Minoxidil in Keratinocytes and Hair Follicles and the Stimulatory Effect of Minoxidil on the Biosynthesis of Glycosaminoglycans

5 citations, December 2006 in “Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences”

Minoxidil boosts hair growth by undergoing a process in hair follicles and certain skin cells, and by increasing the production of compounds essential for hair growth and maintenance.

research Minoxidil: Mechanisms of Action on Hair Growth

397 citations, February 2004 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Minoxidil boosts hair growth by opening potassium channels and increasing cell activity.

research Pseudoacromegaly Induced by the Long-Term Use of Minoxidil

41 citations, June 2003 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Long-term minoxidil use can cause pseudoacromegaly, but stopping it improves symptoms.

A Randomized Clinical Trial of 5% Topical Minoxidil Versus 2% Topical Minoxidil and Placebo in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia in Men

research A Randomized Clinical Trial of 5% Topical Minoxidil Versus 2% Topical Minoxidil and Placebo in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia in Men

269 citations, August 2002 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

5% minoxidil works better for hair growth and density, with minor irritation.

Stimulation of Elastin Expression by Minoxidil in Chick Skin Fibroblasts

Related Research

1 / 1 results

Minoxidil Sulfotransferase Enzymatical Activity in Plants: A Novel Paradigm in Increasing Minoxidil Response in Androgenetic Alopecia

research Minoxidil Sulfotransferase Enzymatical Activity in Plants: A Novel Paradigm in Increasing Minoxidil Response in Androgenetic Alopecia

August 2023 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”

Some plants like spinach, broccoli, and matcha may boost the effectiveness of the hair growth drug minoxidil.

Secondary Cutis Verticis Gyrata Induced by Long-Term Use of High-Dose Topical Minoxidil

Research cited in this study

research Serious Complication of Low-Dose Oral Minoxidil for Hair Loss

research Pericardial, Pleural Effusion and Anasarca: A Rare Complication of Low-Dose Oral Minoxidil for Hair Loss

research Does Topical Minoxidil at Concentrations Higher Than 5% Provide Additional Clinical Benefit?

research Minoxidil-Induced Hypertrichosis in a Breastfed Infant

research Safety of Low-Dose Oral Minoxidil for Hair Loss: A Multicenter Study of 1404 Patients

research Efficacy and Safety of a New 10% Topical Minoxidil Versus 5% Topical Minoxidil and Placebo in the Treatment of Male Androgenetic Alopecia: A Trichoscopic Evaluation

research Further Clinical Evidence for the Effect of IGF-1 on Hair Growth and Alopecia

research Cantú Syndrome Is Caused by Mutations in ABCC9

research Sulfation of Minoxidil in Keratinocytes and Hair Follicles and the Stimulatory Effect of Minoxidil on the Biosynthesis of Glycosaminoglycans

research Minoxidil: Mechanisms of Action on Hair Growth

research Pseudoacromegaly Induced by the Long-Term Use of Minoxidil

research A Randomized Clinical Trial of 5% Topical Minoxidil Versus 2% Topical Minoxidil and Placebo in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia in Men

research Stimulation of Elastin Expression by Minoxidil in Chick Skin Fibroblasts

research Suppression of Fibroblast Proliferation and Lysyl Hydroxylase Activity by Minoxidil

research Minoxidil for Severe Hypertension After Failure of Other Hypotensive Drugs

Related Community Posts Join

community 3 years on Dutasteride and still thinning - what would the next logical step be?

community 3 Month Results with Nuclear Stack - 42M

community Minoxidil seems logistically impossible and impractical to use

community My hair loss stack better work 🤦🏼‍♂️

community Let's be clear, does Finasteride stop MPB as long as it's taken?

community Hair regrowth? Been noticing these tiny dots on my head where I apply 0.5 dut and 8% minox

Related Research

research Minoxidil Sulfotransferase Enzymatical Activity in Plants: A Novel Paradigm in Increasing Minoxidil Response in Androgenetic Alopecia