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Androgenetic Alopecia
Pattern hair loss driven by androgen sensitivity and follicular miniaturization.
Unmet need
More effective and convenient regimens with fewer side effects.
Androgen signalingHair cycle
Evidence behind this
Confidence score88%
Signal strength: HighLevel 1 (RCT + regulatory approval)
Evidence grade
Approved
Increased hair count and patient-reported improvement vs vehicle.
Mechanism
Topical minoxidil prolongs anagen phase; VEGF upregulation may promote follicular perfusion.
clinical trialfda labelPhase III
Authoritative sources
AI-generated summary
Generated March 15, 2026Last verified June 27, 2026
Topical minoxidil is FDA-approved for androgenetic alopecia, repurposed from oral antihypertensive hypertrichosis observations. Efficacy is modest but well-established in RCTs.
Source papers
- Olsen EA et al., 2002
This summary is AI-assisted and human-reviewed. It does not constitute medical advice. Always consult authoritative sources and qualified professionals.