TLDR Minoxidil is a popular hair growth treatment, but how it works isn't fully understood.
Minoxidil was initially used as an antihypertensive medication, but its side effect of hypertrichosis led to its development as a topical treatment for hair growth. By 2002, it was the primary treatment for androgenetic alopecia and was also used off-label for other hair loss conditions. Although widely used, the precise mechanism by which minoxidil promotes hair growth was not fully understood. The article reviewed and updated information on the pharmacology, mechanism of action, clinical efficacy, and adverse events associated with topical minoxidil.
4 citations
,
May 2019 in “PubMed” Topical minoxidil does not change the activity of hair follicle enzymes that metabolize it.
4 citations
,
March 2017 in “PubMed” Increasing the dosage of minoxidil can help hair regrowth in women who didn't respond to the standard treatment.
1 citations
,
July 2016 in “PubMed” Once-daily 5% minoxidil foam and twice-daily 2% minoxidil solution are similarly effective and safe for female pattern hair loss.
36 citations
,
January 1991 in “PubMed” 2% Minoxidil does not prevent hair loss during chemotherapy.
26 citations
,
April 1977 in “PubMed” Minoxidil, a blood pressure drug, can cause excessive hair growth, but this can be successfully treated with a hair removal agent called calcium thioglycolate.
May 2023 in “Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology” More personalized and effective treatments for androgenetic alopecia are needed.
January 2022 in “Springer eBooks”
October 2025 in “Clinical Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology” Experts created guidelines for treating hair loss in Egypt, focusing on personalized care.
29 citations
,
April 2019 in “Lasers in Medical Science” Laser and minoxidil combo promotes better hair growth than minoxidil alone, safely.
71 citations
,
January 2004 in “Dermatology” Oral finasteride works better than topical minoxidil for hair growth, both are safe.
4 citations
,
August 2011 in “Aktuelle Dermatologie” Topical melatonin is a safe treatment that may reduce hair loss in people with androgenetic alopecia.