Topical Minoxidil in the Treatment of Male Pattern Alopecia

The document from 1987 concludes that topical minoxidil is effective in treating male pattern alopecia, providing cosmetically satisfying hair thickening in some individuals. It references studies, including one with 89 subjects showing a correlation between minoxidil dose and nonvellus hair count, and another with 40 subjects where 33 experienced a decrease in alopecia severity after 6 months. Treatment is most effective on thinning areas and should start early, requiring about 1 ml of a 2% solution applied twice daily, with results expected after at least 4 months and continuous treatment necessary. While the exact mechanism of action is unclear, minoxidil's vasodilatory effects and influence on keratinocytes are noted. The treatment is considered low risk, with the main side effect being local irritation, and is particularly beneficial for younger individuals with less severe hair loss.