Oral Minoxidil is an Important Consideration when Topical Does not Work — Donovan Hair Clinic
A 31-year-old female presented with a severalyear history of hair loss involving the frontal hairline. Physical examination was notable for decreased hair density of hair on the bilateral frontotemporal scalp with a thin strip of hair at the margins consistent with the fringe sign (Fig 1, A).7 The patient denied pruritus, scaling, or pain of the scalp. She had a history of wearing hair in tight hairstyles but had not been doing so for several years prior to presentation; however, she was presently using chemical relaxers. She had been treated previously with topical corticosteroids and 5% topical minoxidil without improvement.
Kim and Craiglow 2022
In a new report, Kim and Craiglow report a 31 year old female with traction alopecia.
The patient had a history of wearing hair in tight hairstyles in the past – but had not been doing so for several years prior to presentation. She was presently using chemical relaxers. She had been treated previously with topical corticosteroids and 5% topical minoxidil without any improvement.
The patient was started on oral minoxidil 1.25 mg daily. The patient also used fluocinonide 0.05% topical solution 2-3 times weekly for the first 2 months. After 6 months of using the oral minoxidil, there was notable regrowth of hair, and minoxidil was increased to 1.25 mg twice daily. After an additional five months of the treatment (11 month total), there was continued regrowth of hair on the bilateral frontotemporal scalp The patient continued to use chemical relaxers throughout this time.
Side effects experienced by the patient were limited to mild hypertrichosis of the bilateral cheeks. The patient otherwise tolerated the 2.5 mg dose really well.
