Safety and Efficacy of Minoxidil Treatment in Scarring Alopecia: A Scoping Review

BACKGROUND: Topical minoxidil (TM) has been a cornerstone in treating various hair loss disorders, while low-dose oral minoxidil (LDOM) is emerging as an effective alternative. Despite their widespread use, there is a notable gap in the literature regarding their use in treating scarring alopecia. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates the efficacy and safety of TM and LDOM in managing scarring alopecia. METHODS: A systematic literature search identified relevant studies on TM and LDOM use in central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia, frontal fibrosing alopecia, lichen planopilaris, and traction alopecia. Key metrics included disease stabilization, hair thickness improvement, hair regrowth, and side effect profiles. RESULTS: Analysis of the selected studies revealed mixed outcomes. Most participants experienced benefits in terms of disease stabilization and hair regrowth with TM and LDOM. The majority of cases reported good tolerability of the treatment, although some side effects were noted. CONCLUSION: TM and LDOM show promise in scarring alopecia treatment, demonstrating benefits in disease stabilization and hair regrowth. Despite these positive indications, the variability in results and reported side effects underline the need for further research to establish their consistent efficacy and safety profiles in scarring alopecia treatment. J Drugs Dermatol. 2024;23(3):     doi:10.36849/JDD.7743.