Evaluation of the Efficacy of Topical Minoxidil in Treatment of Male Androgenetic Alopecia

Abstract

Aims: This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of topical minoxidil 5% in treating male androgenetic alopecia. Study Design: A prospective, randomized study Place and Duration of study: Outpatient clinic of Dermatology and Venereology Department, Tanta University Hospitals between January 2020 and March 2021. Methodology: 15 male patients with androgenetic alopecia (age range 23 – 31 years) were included and received topical minoxidil 5% (twice daily) for 24 weeks. Efficacy of treatment was assessed clinically, trichoscopically, and by histopathology (H&E stain). Results: Patients were classified between grades Ⅲ- Ⅵ at baseline, after 24 weeks of treatment: patients were classified between grades Ⅱ- Ⅴ A. There was an improvement in 60% of patients with no statistically significant difference in the clinical grading before and after treatment. The statistical significance was apparent in the percentage of the terminal and vellus hair and hair density and width after treatment. There were 31.7% and 42.56% increases in hair density and width, respectively. There was a decrease in the miniaturized hair follicles and perifollicular inflammatory infiltrate by H&E stain. Conclusions: Topical minoxidil 5% was found to be an effective method of treatment of male androgenetic alopecia, which affects both hair density and width.