title: Topical minoxidil therapy for hereditary male pattern alopecia.
abstract: Minoxidil solution 2.8 percent applied topically produced new hair growth in patients with male pattern alopecia. An open trial involving 777 male patients was conducted over thirty-two months. Of these patients, 133 were followed for six months or longer. Forty-five percent noted growth that varied from a few vellus hairs to terminal hair. Better response was seen in patients who underwent longer treatment and who had type I or type II alopecia. Subjective evaluations by the patients were better than objective evaluations. No serious systemic effects of minoxidil were encountered; however, in one patient allergic contact dermatitis occurred. The mechanism of this growth is presently unknown but may be related to a vasodilatory effect or direct cell stimulation.
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000505:Alopecia / Q000145:classification / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006197:Hair / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008914:Minoxidil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D008914:Minoxidil