The Use of Topical Minoxidil to Accelerate Nail Growth: A Pilot Study

In the 2015 pilot study, 32 healthy participants applied 5% topical minoxidil to their fingernails twice daily, resulting in a significant increase in nail growth rate compared to untreated nails. The treated nails grew at a mean rate of 4.27 mm/month, while the control group's nails grew at 3.91 mm/month (P = 0.003). The effect was evident from the first week, and no side effects were reported. The study suggests that 5% topical minoxidil may be effective in stimulating nail growth, but calls for more extensive research with a larger sample size and inclusion of subjects with nail disorders.