Low-dose oral minoxidil in a case of short anagen syndrome.

Purpose: This study aims to explore the effectiveness of low-dose oral minoxidil (LDOM) in treating short anagen hair syndrome (SAS), a rare congenital condition characterized by a shortened anagen phase. While SAS often resolves spontaneously with puberty, treatment remains controversial. Recent studies have demonstrated the efficacy of low-dose oral minoxidil (LDOM) in treating various hair loss conditions, including SAS.

Materials and methods: This report presents a case of a 24-year-old female with SAS who experienced significant improvement following LDOM treatment. The patient, who had persistent hair growth issues since childhood, had tried several therapies, including topical 5% minoxidil with limited success. The patient was started on LDOM at 1.25 mg and increased to 2.5 mg after one month.

Results: After starting LDOM, the patient reported reduced hair shedding, increased hair length, and improved hair density, which was also confirmed by Canfield's HairMetrix measurements. Despite experiencing mild facial hypertrichosis, the patient opted to continue the treatment.

Conclusion: This case adds to the growing body of evidence supporting LDOM as a viable treatment for adult SAS. The findings may also offer insights into the genetic basis of SAS and its overlap with other hair loss conditions, suggesting possible shared therapeutic approaches.