Does Topical Minoxidil Help Beard hair in Males?

Many males value good facial hair growth. Despite the widespread use of topical minoxidil for androgenetic alopecia and many other off-label uses, studies specifically related to facial hair had not been conducted when the study was done.

Ingprasert et al., 2016

In 2016, authors from Thailand set out to review the benefits of topical minoxidil in facial hair growth.

The authors conducted a 16-week randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled study of forty-eight men aged 20– 60 who wanted to improve beard hair growth. Patients were instructed to apply 0.5 mL of the topical assigned solution twice daily on the chin and jawline.

Patients’ beard photographs were taken for global photographic score as a primary efficacy assessment every four weeks. Three physicians evaluated photographs on a 7-point scale (+3 to
3). The changes in hair counts and diameter from baseline served as a secondary efficacy assessment. The measurement landmark was 3 cm lower from the vermilion border of the lower lip at the midline.

What were the results?

Forty-six of 48 patients completed the study. At week 16, the global photographic score in the minoxidil group was significantly higher than in the placebo group (P = 0.002). Patients also rated their improvement as greater in the treatment group. Hair counts increased more in the treatment group than in the placebo group (5.00 vs 0.35). There were no statistically significant changes in hair diameters.

Overall, adverse reactions were mild and not statistically significantly different between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

This study concluded that minoxidil 3% lotion is effective and safe for beard enhancement.

REFERENCE@

Ingprasert S et al. Efficacy and safety of minoxidil 3% lotion for beard enhancement: A randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled study. J Dermatol . 2016 Aug;43(8):968-9. doi: 10.1111/1346-8138.13312. Epub 2016 Feb 19.