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Dr. Grey AI

Supplement

Minoxidil

Minoxidil is a vessel-widening compound applied to the scalp, where it is thought to encourage hair follicles to keep growing. People mostly look at it for hair loss, and the evidence is strong: across 8 studies with 1,778 participants, hair regrowth improved. The size of the effect was moderate, and one key trial focused on men with pattern hair loss, so results may not apply equally to everyone.

Sources: PMID 12932243; PMID 10534633

Best evidence
Grade A
Conditions studied
1
Outcomes
1
Graded outcomes
1000

Evidence by condition

  • Strong
  • Moderate
  • Limited
  • Very limited

1 condition

Hair Loss

Hair Loss: outcomes studied for Minoxidil
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Hair Regrowth

Moderate Improvement

Improves (the measure goes up)Moderate effect8 studies1,778 people

Studies that measured hair regrowth

Key findings

  • Hair RegrowthHair LossImproves (the measure goes up)

Shop the evidence-backed picks

Third-party tested Minoxidil products, in the forms the graded studies used where we can match them.

  • Grade A

Links to Fullscript, iHerb or Thorne carry our referral, so we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Grades come from the research and never change based on what we earn. Fullscript asks for a free account before it shows its catalog and prices. Full disclosure

Studies cited

8 studies from PubMed

  1. The effects of minoxidil, 1% pyrithione zinc and a combination of both on hair density: a randomized controlled trialBr J Dermatol · PMID 12932243
  2. An open, randomized, comparative study of oral finasteride and 5% topical minoxidil in male androgenetic alopeciaDermatology · PMID 15316165
  3. Changes in hair weight and hair count in men with androgenetic alopecia, after application of 5% and 2% topical minoxidil, placebo, or no treatmentJ Am Acad Dermatol · PMID 10534633
  4. A randomized, single-blind trial of 5% minoxidil foam once daily versus 2% minoxidil solution twice daily in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in womenJ Am Acad Dermatol · PMID 21700360
  5. A multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial of a novel formulation of 5% minoxidil topical foam versus placebo in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in menJ Am Acad Dermatol · PMID 17761356
  6. Randomized clinical trial comparing 5% and 1% topical minoxidil for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in Japanese menJ Dermatol · PMID 19691748
  7. A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of 5% and 2% topical minoxidil solutions in the treatment of female pattern hair lossJ Am Acad Dermatol · PMID 15034503
  8. A randomized clinical trial of 5% topical minoxidil versus 2% topical minoxidil and placebo in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in menJ Am Acad Dermatol · PMID 12196747