Topical Minoxidil in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

This document is a letter to the editor of the British Medical Journal from 1984 discussing a double-blind trial of topical minoxidil in the treatment of alopecia areata. The study involved 28 patients with alopecia, and while 68% showed regrowth, only one patient had cosmetically acceptable regrowth of terminal hair. The study suggests that a higher concentration of minoxidil could be used to enhance the effect, but there is a risk of irritant reactions and systemic absorption. The authors note that further evaluation is needed.