A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial of 5% and 2% Topical Minoxidil Solutions in the Treatment of Female Pattern Hair Loss

March 2004 in “ Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology ”

Anne W. Lucky, Daniel Piacquadio, Chérie M. Ditre, Frank Dunlap, Irwin Kantor, Amit G. Pandya, Ronald C. Savin, Michael D. Tharp

topical minoxidil female pattern hair loss placebo-controlled trial 5% minoxidil solution 2% minoxidil solution hair growth hair loss adverse events Rogaine

TLDR 5% and 2% minoxidil solutions effectively promote hair growth and reduce hair loss, with 5% being slightly more effective but having more side effects.

This document is a compilation of summaries of a randomized, placebo-controlled trial of 5% and 2% topical minoxidil solutions in the treatment of female pattern hair loss. The study involved 381 women who were randomly assigned to one of the three groups. The results showed that both the 5% and 2% minoxidil solutions were significantly more effective than the placebo in promoting hair growth and reducing hair loss. The 5% solution was found to be slightly more effective than the 2% solution. However, the 5% solution had more adverse events than the 2% solution and the placebo. Overall, the study concluded that topical minoxidil is an effective treatment for female pattern hair loss.

View this study on jaad.org →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

13 / 13 results

A Randomized Clinical Trial of 5% Topical Minoxidil Versus 2% Topical Minoxidil and Placebo in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia in Men

research A Randomized Clinical Trial of 5% Topical Minoxidil Versus 2% Topical Minoxidil and Placebo in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia in Men

269 citations, August 2002 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

5% minoxidil works better for hair growth and density, with minor irritation.

research Female Pattern Hair Loss

226 citations, September 2001 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Hair loss in women is genetic, diagnosed by examination and biopsy, and treated with minoxidil, finasteride, or transplantation.

research Female Pattern Hair Loss: Clinical Features and Potential Hormonal Factors

10 citations, September 2001 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Hormonal factors may affect female hair loss, needing further research and treatment ideas.

Changes in Hair Weight and Hair Count in Men with Androgenetic Alopecia After Application of 5% and 2% Topical Minoxidil, Placebo, or No Treatment

research Changes in Hair Weight and Hair Count in Men with Androgenetic Alopecia After Application of 5% and 2% Topical Minoxidil, Placebo, or No Treatment

115 citations, November 1999 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Minoxidil increases hair weight and count temporarily in men with hair loss.

research Treatment of Hair Loss

370 citations, September 1999 in “The New England Journal of Medicine”

Finasteride and minoxidil are effective for hair loss, but continued research is needed for better treatments.

research Photographic Documentation of Hair Growth in Androgenetic Alopecia

7 citations, April 1999 in “Dermatologic Clinics”

High-quality photos help track hair growth progress in androgenetic alopecia patients.

research The Midline Part: An Important Physical Clue to the Clinical Diagnosis of Androgenetic Alopecia in Women

90 citations, January 1999 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

"Christmas tree" pattern helps diagnose female hair loss.

research Hemodynamic Effects of Minoxidil Following Intravenous Infusions in Untreated Hypertensive Patients

5 citations, February 1996 in “Clinical pharmacology and therapeutics/Clinical pharmacology & therapeutics”

Minoxidil given intravenously caused small changes in diastolic blood pressure and increased heart rate at higher concentrations in patients with high blood pressure.

research Classification Scale for Male and Female Androgenetic Alopecia

6 citations, February 1996 in “Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics”

Scale created to measure hair loss in men and women; MK-386 reduces acne; Niaspan treats dyslipidemia; minoxidil increases heart rate.

research Androgenetic Alopecia in the Female

82 citations, March 1994 in “Archives of Dermatology”

2% topical minoxidil effectively treats female hair loss with minimal side effects.

research Use of Topical Minoxidil Therapy for Androgenetic Alopecia in Women

58 citations, October 1993 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

Minoxidil helps hair growth and reduces shedding in women.

research Histologic Response to Topically Applied Minoxidil in Male-Pattern Alopecia

38 citations, October 1988 in “Clinics in Dermatology”

Minoxidil can help grow hair and make hair follicles bigger, but it can also cause side effects.

research Classification of the Types of Androgenetic Alopecia (Common Baldness) Occurring in the Female Sex

666 citations, September 1977 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Common baldness, also known as Androgenetic Alopecia, is caused by a combination of genetic factors and hormones called androgens.

Related Research

8 / 8 results

research A Survey of Patient Attitudes Towards Topical Minoxidil in the Treatment of Hair Loss

1 citations, October 2022 in “PubMed”

Patients generally have positive attitudes towards using topical Minoxidil for hair loss treatment.

research Sisaipho Alopecia Areata Treated With Tofacitinib and Oral Minoxidil

1 citations, August 2022 in “JAAD case reports”

Tofacitinib and oral minoxidil may help treat Sisaipho alopecia areata.

research Combination Therapy with Oral Minoxidil and Dutasteride in the Treatment of Male Patterned Baldness: A Case Report

January 2022 in “Cosmoderma”

Using oral minoxidil and dutasteride together can quickly increase hair growth and volume with minimal side effects.

research Complex Approach to the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia in Male Persons with a Poor Prognosis of the Disease

January 2022 in “Voennaâ medicina”

A new method for treating male pattern baldness in men with a low chance of improvement was discussed.

research Hair Loss (Alopecia or Baldness)

June 2018

Baldness is often hereditary and linked to male hormones, becoming noticeable when half the hair is lost.

A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial of 5% and 2% Topical Minoxidil Solutions in the Treatment of Female Pattern Hair Loss

Research cited in this study

research A Randomized Clinical Trial of 5% Topical Minoxidil Versus 2% Topical Minoxidil and Placebo in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia in Men

research Female Pattern Hair Loss

research Female Pattern Hair Loss: Clinical Features and Potential Hormonal Factors

research Changes in Hair Weight and Hair Count in Men with Androgenetic Alopecia After Application of 5% and 2% Topical Minoxidil, Placebo, or No Treatment

research Treatment of Hair Loss

research Photographic Documentation of Hair Growth in Androgenetic Alopecia

research The Midline Part: An Important Physical Clue to the Clinical Diagnosis of Androgenetic Alopecia in Women

research Hemodynamic Effects of Minoxidil Following Intravenous Infusions in Untreated Hypertensive Patients

research Classification Scale for Male and Female Androgenetic Alopecia

research Androgenetic Alopecia in the Female

research Use of Topical Minoxidil Therapy for Androgenetic Alopecia in Women

research Histologic Response to Topically Applied Minoxidil in Male-Pattern Alopecia

research Classification of the Types of Androgenetic Alopecia (Common Baldness) Occurring in the Female Sex

Related Community Posts Join

community A meta analysis of 18 popular hair loss treatments. An 2022 guide on efficacy. From finasteride and minoxidil to caffeine shampoo, saw palmetto and biotin. 96 Scientific References included.

community Taking Charge of Your Hair: The "Big 3 Stack" Explained for 2023

community COMPLETE OVERVIEW of the Treatment of androgenetic alopecia in men

community Most Recent Interesting Hairloss Studies: 10% Minox vs 5% Minox / Radio Rrequency Treatment for AA / Topical Ketoconazole / PRP+Minox vs Minox vs PRP / Alopecia as a systemic disease

community Exploring Bryan Johnson's Hair Routine In Detail

community GT20029 China Phase II Trial For AGA Reached Primary Endpoint

Related Research

research A Survey of Patient Attitudes Towards Topical Minoxidil in the Treatment of Hair Loss

research Sisaipho Alopecia Areata Treated With Tofacitinib and Oral Minoxidil

research Combination Therapy with Oral Minoxidil and Dutasteride in the Treatment of Male Patterned Baldness: A Case Report

research Complex Approach to the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia in Male Persons with a Poor Prognosis of the Disease

research Hair Loss (Alopecia or Baldness)

research Use of Topical Minoxidil Therapy for Androgenetic Alopecia in Women

research Treatment of Female Androgenetic Alopecia with Minoxidil 2%

research Topical Minoxidil in Male Pattern Baldness: Effects of Discontinuation of Treatment