Minoxidil, a vasodilator medication known for its ability to slow or stop hair loss
and promote hair regrowth, was first introduced, exclusively as an oral drug, to treat
high blood pressure. It was however discovered to have the important side-effect of
increasing growth or darkening of fine body hairs; this led to the development of
a topical formulation as a 2% concentration solution for the treatment of female androgenic
alopecia or 5% for treating male androgenic alopecia. Measurable changes disappear
within months after discontinuation of treatment. The mechanism by which it promotes
hair growth is not fully understood. Minoxidil is a potassium channel opener, causing
hyperpolarization of cell membranes and it is also a vasodilator, it is speculated
that, by widening blood vessels and opening potassium channels, it allows more oxygen,
blood and nutrients to the follicle. This can also cause follicles in the telogen
phase to shed, usually soon to be replaced by new, thicker hairs in a new anagen phase.
It needs to be applied regularly, once or twice daily, for hair gained to be maintained,
and side effects are common. The most common adverse reactions of the topical formulation
are limited to irritant and allergic contact dermatitis on the scalp. There have been
cases of allergic reactions to the nonactive ingredient propylene glycol, which is
found in some topical solution especially if they are galenic. Increased hair loss
which can occur during Minoxidil use, is due to the synchronization of the hair cycle
that the treatment induces. In this review, we described its mechanism of action,
use in dermatology and some patents related to alternative treatment of allergic reactions
due to its use.