Minoxidil is a FDA approved topical hair loss substance. Its properties are outlined in more detail in the article on Rogaine®, its alternate name. There are two different strengths which are available 2% and 5%. Two studies which were funded by Pfizer group, who are the creators of Minoxidil.
This study had 743 male participant who all had male pattern baldness. 150 of the participants were also physicians. After 4 months of daily usage of 1ml of 5% minoxidil the following was observed. Note this was not a double blind study and in other studies to do with balding and as with many studies of this nature often times a large positive placebo effect is seen. The scalp area part of the baldness was self evaluated by the men to be smaller for 67% of the men, 31% unchanged and only 1% to have been reduced. The men in the study reported the effectiveness of hair restoration of Rogaine; 7.5% very effective, 55% effective, 31.3% effective by 31% and ineffective by 6%. Hair density was also reported on, this is how many hairs per fixed area of scalp. It was said to be improved by 74%, unchanged by 24.4% and worse by 1.5% of men. Results o the treatment were reported mostly starting in the second month at 52%, then in the third month at 34% and uncommonly in the first month at 14%. Reported in the 62nd Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology, February 6-11, 2004, Washington, DC.
This study lasted for 1 year. It concerned the application of 1ml of 5% of minoxidil twice a day to the scalp. Every three months in the period of the study would collect the hair which was lost in washing of the hair and send it to the laboratory so it could be counted. The results of the study indicated that the hair loss area had become smaller in 62% of the patients, it was not changed in 35.1% of the time and it was larger in 2.9% of the cases. At the beginning of the study hair lost during washing was at an average(mean) level of 69.7 at the beginning of the study, while by the end the mean was 33.8. The participants satisfaction was also measured, in a satisfaction scale going from 0 being extremely dissatisfied to 10 being very satisfied. The average score went from 2.9 at the start of the study to 4.4 at the end of the study end. There were side effects reported in 3.9% of the patients, these side effects where mostly dermatological and non were classed as serious. Reported in the 62nd Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology, February 6-11, 2004, Washington, DC.