Korean J Dermatol.  2024 Mar;62(3):136-142.

Effectiveness and Safety of Low-Dose Oral Minoxidil in Female Pattern Hair Loss: A Single-Center Study of 44 Patients

• Kim Y
• Lee G
• Shin JO
• Roh DY
• Kim Y
• Won SH
• Lee J
• Shin K
• Kim H
• Ko HC
• Kim BS
• Kim MB

Abstract

Background
Female-pattern hair loss (FPHL) is characterized by diffuse hair thinning in the mid-frontal scalp and increased hair shedding. Although the use of low-dose oral minoxidil (LDOM) is increasing significantly in Korea, data on its use are limited.
Objective
To determine the efficacy and safety of LDOM in Korean patients with FPHL.
Methods
This retrospective, single-center study was conducted at Pusan National University Hospital. The study included female patients with pattern hair loss who received treatment with LDOM at 1.25 mg/d for a minimum of 6 months in combination with other treatments. Patients were eligible for LDOM addition if their previous treatments showed a limited response and the previous treatment regimen remained unchanged throughout the evaluation period. Clinical response to treatment was evaluated using the Sinclair hair loss severity scale.
Results
The study included 44 females with FPHL. Before treatment, the mean Sinclair scale score was 2.77, which decreased to 2.27 after treatment. By the 3rd month, one patient (2.3%) experienced worsening, while seven patients (15.9%) showed slight improvement. By the 6th month, the treatment response was as follows: stabilization in 30 patients (68.2%), slight improvement in 13 patients (29.5%), and substantial improvement in one patient (2.3%). Adverse effects, predominantly hypertrichosis, were observed in nine patients. All adverse effects improved upon discontinuation of LDOM and no life-threatening adverse effects were observed during the study.
Conclusion
This study provides evidence that LDOM can be an effective therapeutic option with a good safety profile for FPHL.

Keyword

Alopecia; Female; Minoxidil