Efficacy of minoxidil in patients of patterned hair loss: A prospective study at a tertiary care hospital of Central India

• Author Details:   
• Kashish Sindhwani ^*
• Anjali Kushwah
• Babita Sheoran
• Prabhjot Kaur
• Abhishek Madhu Paserkar

---

View PDF

Introduction: Androgenetic alopecia (AGA), commonly referred to as "male-pattern baldness" or "female-pattern hair loss," is a genetically determined condition characterized by an excessive sensitivity to androgens. Common methods for diagnosing hair disorders include clinical examination, assessment of hair loss patterns, pull test, trichogram, biopsy, and screening blood tests. Currently, trichoscopy is the most important diagnostic method for androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and has largely replaced scalp biopsies. There is a notable gap in research on the early effects of minoxidil therapy as observed through trichoscopy. This gap offers a unique opportunity for further investigation.

Materials and Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted for one year at the department of pharmacology and department of dermatology, M.G.M Medical College, Indore, after approval by the institutional ethics committee. The study included patients presenting with hair loss and thinning. The treatment used was topical minoxidil. The study was conducted on 50 patients diagnosed with patterned hair loss, who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Results: We aimed to assess efficacy of minoxidil therapy in patients diagnosed with patterned hair loss using trichoscopy. A total of 100 patients were enrolled, with 50 patients (Group M) receiving minoxidil alone—5% solution for males and 2% solution for females. The mean age of the minoxidil group was 33.58 ± 6.57 years. Our results showed significant improvements in several trichoscopic parameters, including an increase in vellus-like hairs, reduced anisotrichosis, the appearance of peripilar signs, yellow dots, and the presence of single-hair follicular units—indicating positive early responses to minoxidil therapy.

Conclusion: Minoxidil is an effective drug for the treatment ofpatterned hair loss, both in male and female patients as assessed by five different parameters using trichoscopy.