Lack of effect of topical minoxidil on scalp sebum production

Abstract

The mechanism of minoxidil on hair growth is unknown. The casual level of scalp sebum was used as an assay for androgenic activity in the pilosebaceous unit. There was no change in casual scalp sebum levels of 24 males treated with 2 ml 2% minoxidil solution applied topically twice daily for 6 months regardless of a positive response of hair growth which occurred in six of the patients.