Topical Minoxidil Effectiveness in Enhancing Facial Aesthetics: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated 19 randomized controlled trials on the effectiveness and safety of topical and oral minoxidil for enhancing facial aesthetics, particularly in treating hair disorders like androgenetic alopecia, alopecia areata, and eyebrow hypotrichosis. The findings indicate that topical minoxidil, especially in 1% and 5% concentrations, effectively promotes hair growth and improves facial hair aesthetics, with significant improvements in photographic scores and patient satisfaction. A 16-week RCT showed that 2% minoxidil lotion was more effective than a placebo for eyebrow hypotrichosis, and 5% minoxidil foam was as effective as a 2% solution for female pattern hair loss, with fewer side effects. While minoxidil shows potential for non-scarring alopecia and facial hair enhancement, higher concentrations may lead to adverse effects like dermatitis and hypertrichosis. The review suggests minoxidil as a viable option for managing facial hair concerns, though further research is needed due to some risk of bias in the studies.