Minoxidil shows promise for reversing gray hair in new study
NCT ID NCT06813963
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This completed Phase 4 trial tested whether applying minoxidil (5%) to the scalp twice daily for 12 months could restore color to gray hair in adults aged 18 to 65 with non-medical graying. Researchers compared 141 participants using minoxidil versus a placebo, measuring changes in a gray hair severity scale. The goal was to see if this common hair-loss drug could also repigment hair, offering a potential alternative to dyes.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- minoxidil (5% topical solution)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a simple over-the-counter treatment to reverse gray hair without dye.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, completed Phase 4 trial. Results may not be generalizable, and minoxidil is not approved for repigmentation—side effects like scalp irritation are possible.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University
Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510515, China
-
The First People's Hospital of Zhaoqing
Zhaoqing, Guangdong, 526060, China
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