Effects of minoxidil: A Synthesis of Findings from 19 Studies

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Original Abstract of the Article

Main Research Findings

Several studies have shown that minoxidil may be effective in treating male pattern baldness. 11 evaluated ten men with male pattern baldness who had been treated with 2% or 3% minoxidil for at least 4 months, and found that there was a mean doubling of nonvellus target scalp hairs on topical minoxidil and loss of most of these recruited hairs when the drug was discontinued. Additionally, 9 demonstrated that minoxidil can promote hair growth in a study of human scalp hair follicles. However, it is important to note that reported adverse effects of low-dose oral minoxidil for androgenetic alopecia in 435 patients, highlighting the need for further investigation on its safety and efficacy.

Benefits and Risks

Benefit Summary

Minoxidil may promote hair growth in individuals with male pattern baldness. 11 , 9 Minoxidil's vasodilator properties can improve blood flow to the scalp, potentially enhancing nutrient supply to hair follicles. 14

Risk Summary

Potential side effects of minoxidil include skin irritation such as itching, rash, and redness, hair shedding, and potential cardiac effects. 11 , 1 , , 13 Oral minoxidil can cause side effects such as a decrease in blood pressure and an increase in heart rate. , 13 It is important to note that these risks may be greater for individuals with underlying health conditions.

Comparison Across Studies

Commonalities

Multiple studies have demonstrated the potential for minoxidil to promote hair growth. 11 , 9 , 14 Furthermore, minoxidil's vasodilatory effects, which improve blood flow to the scalp and potentially enhance nutrient supply to hair follicles, are a shared finding across these studies. 14

Differences

The effectiveness and side effects of minoxidil can vary depending on the dosage, duration of use, and individual factors. 11 , 9 , 1 , , 13 It is essential to acknowledge that minoxidil's effects are not universal and may not be experienced by all individuals. 9

Consistency and Contradictions

While several studies demonstrate a positive correlation between minoxidil and hair growth, 9 reported contradictory findings, suggesting that minoxidil did not have a significant effect in hair follicle cultures. The frequency and types of minoxidil side effects reported across studies differ. , 13 This discrepancy could be attributed to differences in research methods and subject populations.

Real-World Applications and Cautions

Minoxidil is available over the counter as a treatment for male pattern baldness, but it is important to remember that effectiveness varies among individuals and it is not a guaranteed solution for everyone. 9 Minoxidil can have side effects, so it is crucial to consult with a doctor before use. 11 , 1 , , 13 Individuals with pre-existing conditions such as heart disease or high blood pressure should exercise particular caution. 1 , , 13 Furthermore, discontinuing minoxidil use can lead to the loss of any hair growth achieved. 11

Current Research Limitations

Research on the effects and side effects of minoxidil remains limited. , 13 Further investigation is needed to assess the long-term impact of minoxidil use. 1 Additionally, as minoxidil's effects vary among individuals, a greater number of participants are needed for future research. 9

Future Research Directions

To gain a more comprehensive understanding of minoxidil, further research is necessary to evaluate the long-term impact of its use, including how individual factors influence its effectiveness. 1 , , 13 Investigating the combined effects of minoxidil with other treatments is another critical area for future research.

Conclusion

Minoxidil holds the potential to be effective in treating male pattern baldness, but it is important to recognize that its effectiveness varies, and there are potential side effects. 11 , 9 , 1 , , 13 If you are considering using minoxidil, it is vital to consult with a medical professional to discuss the potential benefits and risks and to ensure that it is the right treatment option for you.

Literature analysis of 19 papers
Positive Content
15
Neutral Content
1
Negative Content
3
Article Type
2
0
0
2
19
1.

Topical minoxidil: cardiac effects in bald man.

Author: LeenenF H, SmithD L, UngerW P

Short term safety
Increased heart rate
LV hypertrophy

Topical minoxidil, applied for 6 months, did not affect blood pressure but increased heart rate in healthy subjects. Although the treatment caused some cardiovascular effects, including increased heart size and output, short-term use is likely safe. However, further research is needed to evaluate long-term safety in patients with coronary artery disease and healthy subjects.

Clinical TrialA clinical trial is a planned study conducted on humans to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and treatment methods. It aims to explore the possibilities of new treatments and improve the health of patients.
Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
Randomized Controlled TrialA clinical trial that randomly assigns participants to treatment and control groups to evaluate the effects of an intervention.
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tResearch funding provided by government agencies outside the United States.

Language : English

7.

Targeting of the Pilosebaceous Follicle by Liquid Crystal Nanocarriers: In Vitro and In Vivo Effects of the Entrapped Minoxidil.

Author: FrestaMassimo, MancusoAntonia, CristianoMaria Chiara, UrbanekKonrad, CilurzoFelisa, CoscoDonato, IannoneMichelangelo, PaolinoDonatella

Pilosebaceous follicle delivery

This study designed a supramolecular colloidal carrier, i.e., a liquid crystal nanocarrier, for the selective delivery of active compounds into the pilosebaceous follicle. This nanocarrier showed mean sizes of ~80 nm, a good stability, a negative surface charge, and great safety properties.

Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.

Language : English

8.

Potential synergistic effects of human placental extract and minoxidil on hair growth-promoting activity in C57BL/6J mice.

Author: KwonT-R, OhC T, ParkH M, HanH J, JiH J, KimB J

Hair growth promotion

Human placenta extract (HPE) has various reported benefits, but its effects on hair growth are unknown. This study investigated the potential of HPE to stimulate hair growth by analyzing its actions on human dermal papilla cells (DPCs).

Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tResearch funding provided by government agencies outside the United States.

Language : English

9.

Limitations of human occipital scalp hair follicle organ culture for studying the effects of minoxidil as a hair growth enhancer.

Author: MagerlMarkus, PausRalf, FarjoNilofer, Müller-RöverSven, PetersEva M J, FoitzikKerstin, TobinDesmond J

Minoxidil's hair-growth-promoting effects were not replicated in human scalp anagen VI hair follicle organ culture. This disparity suggests limitations in using this method for minoxidil research.

Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tResearch funding provided by government agencies outside the United States.

Language : English

10.

Inhibitory effects of bFGF, VEGF and minoxidil on collagen synthesis by cultured hair dermal papilla cells.

Author: LachgarS, CharvéronM, BouhaddiouiN, NeveuxY, GallY, BonaféJ L

Hair follicle growth

Growth factors, including basic fibroblast growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor, and minoxidil, significantly decreased collagen production by rat hair dermal papilla cells.

Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tResearch funding provided by government agencies outside the United States.

Language : English

11.

Topical minoxidil in male pattern baldness: effects of discontinuation of treatment.

Author: OlsenE A, WeinerM S

Increased hair growth
Hair loss after discontinuation

Topical minoxidil increased scalp hair growth in men with male pattern baldness. However, the hair growth was not sustained when the drug was discontinued.

Clinical TrialA clinical trial is a planned study conducted on humans to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and treatment methods. It aims to explore the possibilities of new treatments and improve the health of patients.
Controlled Clinical TrialA clinical trial that evaluates the effectiveness of a treatment by comparing a group that receives the intervention with a group that receives a placebo or standard treatment.
Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tResearch funding provided by government agencies outside the United States.

Language : English

12.

The effects of particle properties on nanoparticle drug retention and release in dynamic minoxidil foams.

Author: ZhaoYanjun, BrownMarc B, JonesStuart A

Enhanced skin penetration
Improved drug delivery
Premature drug release

Lipid and polymeric nanoparticles can be formulated as aqueous suspensions or dynamic hydrofluoroalkane foams to deliver minoxidil to the skin. Drug release and permeation are influenced by nanoparticle properties.

Comparative StudyResearch that compares multiple groups/interventions to determine differences/similarities in outcomes/characteristics.
Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tResearch funding provided by government agencies outside the United States.

Language : English

14.

Minoxidil use in dermatology, side effects and recent patents.

Author: RossiAlfredo, CantisaniCarmen, MelisLuca, IorioAlessandra, ScaliElisabetta, CalvieriStefano

Hair growth
Hair regrowth
Allergic reaction
Skin irritation

This review describes minoxidil, a vasodilator medication used to treat hair loss, highlighting its mechanism of action, use in dermatology, and common side effects. Minoxidil is a potassium channel opener and vasodilator, and its use is associated with irritant and allergic contact dermatitis.

Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
ReviewAn article that critically examines existing research on a particular topic and summarizes the current state of knowledge in the field.

Language : English

15.

Targeting of the Pilosebaceous Follicle by Liquid Crystal Nanocarriers: In Vitro and In Vivo Effects of the Entrapped Minoxidil.

Author: FrestaMassimo, MancusoAntonia, CristianoMaria Chiara, UrbanekKonrad, CilurzoFelisa, CoscoDonato, IannoneMichelangelo, PaolinoDonatella

Pilosebaceous follicle delivery

This study designed a supramolecular colloidal carrier, i.e., a liquid crystal nanocarrier, for the selective delivery of active compounds into the pilosebaceous follicle. This nanocarrier showed mean sizes of ~80 nm, a good stability, a negative surface charge, and great safety properties.

Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.

Language : English

17.

Effects of minoxidil 2% vs. cyproterone acetate treatment on female androgenetic alopecia: a controlled, 12-month randomized trial.

Author: VexiauP, ChaspouxC, BoudouP, FietJ, JouaniqueC, HardyN, ReygagneP

Hair growth

This study compared topical minoxidil 2% and cyproterone acetate in the treatment of female alopecia. Sixty-six women with female-pattern alopecia were randomly assigned to one of two groups for 12 cycles. The minoxidil group received two local applications (2 mL day-1) of topical minoxidil 2% plus combined oral contraceptive, while the cyproterone acetate group received cyproterone acetate 52 mg day-1 plus ethinyl oestradiol 35 microg for 20 of every 28 days. Minoxidil was more effective in the absence of other signs of hyperandrogenism, hyperseborrhoea, and menstrual cycle modifications, when the BMI was low, and when there was no evidence of biochemical hyperandrogenism. Cyproterone acetate treatment was more effective when other signs were present and when the BMI was elevated, factors that favored a diagnosis of biochemical hyperandrogenism.

Clinical TrialA clinical trial is a planned study conducted on humans to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and treatment methods. It aims to explore the possibilities of new treatments and improve the health of patients.
Comparative StudyResearch that compares multiple groups/interventions to determine differences/similarities in outcomes/characteristics.
Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
Randomized Controlled TrialA clinical trial that randomly assigns participants to treatment and control groups to evaluate the effects of an intervention.

Language : English

18.

Relative Effects of Minoxidil 5%, Platelet-Rich Plasma, and Microneedling in Pattern Hair Loss: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.

Author: GuptaAditya K, WangTong, BamimoreMary A, Polla RaviShruthi, TalukderMesbah

Hair density improvement

A combination of 5% minoxidil and microneedling is the most effective treatment for pattern hair loss in adults, resulting in significantly greater hair density improvements compared to other treatments like 5% minoxidil alone, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), or microneedling alone, according to a Bayesian network meta-analysis of 27 trials involving 1,110 patients.

Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
ReviewAn article that critically examines existing research on a particular topic and summarizes the current state of knowledge in the field.

Language : English

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