Topical Minoxidil for Hair Growth in Alopecia Areata and Androgenetica

February 1987 in “ Drugs ”

Stephen P. Clissold, Rennie C. Heel

topical minoxidil minoxidil alopecia areata alopecia androgenetica hair regrowth cosmetically acceptable hair regrowth clinical assessment hair growth treatment for hair loss Rogaine androgenic alopecia

From the encyclopedia

Minoxidil →

An essential vasodilator with some anti-androgenic effects

Alopecia Areata →

autoimmune disorder causing patchy hair loss

Studysummary Minoxidil promotes hair regrowth, but more research needed for effectiveness and response factors.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

The document from 1987 provides a preliminary review of the use of topical minoxidil for hair growth in patients with alopecia areata and alopecia androgenetica. The study found that topical minoxidil promotes hair regrowth in patients with these conditions, but the proportion of patients who will attain cosmetically acceptable hair regrowth remains to be determined. The study also notes that clinical assessment of hair growth is problematic, and the use of subjective terms for describing results of treatment in the literature has made it difficult to analyze the findings from clinical trials reported to date. Overall, the study suggests that topical minoxidil may be an effective treatment for hair loss, but more research is needed to determine its efficacy and the factors that predict response.

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Research cited in this study

28 / 28 results

research Dose-Response Study of Topical Minoxidil in Male Pattern Baldness

58 citations , July 1986 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Lowest effective minoxidil concentration is 1%, but 2% works better for male pattern baldness.

research Review: Topical Minoxidil for Male Pattern Baldness

25 citations , May 1986 in “The American Journal of the Medical Sciences”

In this study, 53% of patients with male pattern baldness experienced significant hair growth with one year of topical minoxidil, while 95% rated its effectiveness as moderate or excellent.

research The Stumptailed Macaque as a Model for Baldness: Effects of Minoxidil

18 citations , April 1986 in “International Journal of Cosmetic Science”

In this study with stumptailed macaques, topical minoxidil successfully induced hair regrowth on bald scalps and prevented baldness on non-bald scalps, with no observed side effects over nearly three years.

research Topical Minoxidil Dose-Response Effect in Alopecia Areata

54 citations , February 1986 in “Archives of Dermatology”

This study found that 5% topical minoxidil solution led to greater hair regrowth in severe alopecia areata patients compared to 1% minoxidil, although most regrowth was not cosmetically acceptable.

research Topical Minoxidil Useful in 18% of Patients with Androgenetic Alopecia: A Study of 430 Cases

16 citations , January 1986 in “Dermatology”

In this study, 1% minoxidil lotion led to good results in 18% of male patients with androgenetic alopecia, but only 6% maintained regrowth one year after stopping treatment.

research Scalp Comedones After Topical Minoxidil

19 citations , December 1985 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Minoxidil can cause scalp comedones and acne.

research Contact Dermatitis to Minoxidil

34 citations , September 1985 in “Contact Dermatitis”

Minoxidil can cause skin irritation like eczema and rash in some users.

research Topical Minoxidil in Early Male Pattern Baldness

138 citations , August 1985 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Minoxidil promotes hair growth in male pattern baldness.

research Allergic Contact Dermatitis to Minoxidil

29 citations , August 1985 in “Contact Dermatitis”

Minoxidil can cause allergic reactions like burning, itching, and red bumps.

research Topical Minoxidil for Extended Alopecia Areata

17 citations , March 1985 in “Acta Dermato Venereologica”

This study found that 1% topical minoxidil led to an increase in terminal hair growth in some individuals with alopecia areata, but only one case showed cosmetically satisfying results.

research Medical Treatment of Male Pattern Alopecia (Androgenic Alopecia)

9 citations , March 1985 in “Head & Neck Surgery”

This review discusses potential causes of androgenic alopecia and explores treatment options, but provides no new clinical results; it emphasizes considering androgen overproduction syndromes in female patients.

research Topically Applied Minoxidil in Baldness

26 citations , March 1985 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

Minoxidil helps hair growth, but results vary.

research Topical Minoxidil Reduces Blood Pressure

17 citations , March 1985 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Minoxidil can lower blood pressure in some people.

research Topical Minoxidil Therapy and Hair Regrowth

20 citations , February 1985 in “Archives of Dermatology”

This report discusses the potential of minoxidil for treating hair loss, spurred by early findings of hair regrowth in some patients, but emphasizes the need for further research to establish its safety and efficacy.

research Topical Minoxidil Therapy in Hereditary Androgenetic Alopecia

55 citations , February 1985 in “Archives of Dermatology”

In this randomized trial, topical minoxidil treatment resulted in cosmetically acceptable hair growth in 32% of men with hereditary male pattern baldness, with no serious side effects reported.

research Percutaneous Absorption of Minoxidil in Humans

52 citations , February 1985 in “Archives of Dermatology”

Minoxidil absorbs poorly through skin, with low risk of side effects at 1-2% concentration.

research Alopecia Areata: Pathogenesis And Treatment

122 citations , November 1984 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

This review discusses the potential autoimmune pathogenesis and various contributing factors of alopecia areata, noting that current treatments remain palliative while emerging therapies offer new hope for extensive cases.

research Topical Minoxidil for Hair Regrowth

80 citations , September 1984 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

In this study, 5% topical minoxidil was observed to promote hair regrowth in some patients with androgenic alopecia, while no regrowth was noted in patients with alopecia areata.

Minoxidil Stimulates Cutaneous Blood Flow in Human Balding Scalps: Pharmacodynamics Measured by Laser Doppler Velocimetry and Photopulse Plethysmography

research Minoxidil Stimulates Cutaneous Blood Flow in Human Balding Scalps: Pharmacodynamics Measured by Laser Doppler Velocimetry and Photopulse Plethysmography

137 citations , May 1984 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Minoxidil increases blood flow in balding scalps, possibly reversing hair loss.

research Alopecia Areata Treated With Topical Minoxidil

78 citations , April 1984 in “Archives of Dermatology”

This study found that 1% minoxidil topical solution led to terminal hair regrowth in some patients with alopecia areata, though it was only cosmetically acceptable in less than half of those cases.