Supplementary Material for: Efficacy of Topical Minoxidil for Nail Growth: A Systematic Review
June 2026
in “
Figshare
”
TLDR Topical minoxidil significantly boosts nail growth and is safe.
This systematic review assessed the efficacy and safety of topical and oral minoxidil for nail growth. Three studies were included, showing that topical minoxidil significantly increased nail growth compared to controls. In healthy individuals, 5% topical minoxidil applied twice daily increased nail growth from 3.91 to 4.27 mm/month after one month. In cases of onychomadesis, a combination of 5% minoxidil and vitamin E achieved an 81% clinical response after 12 months. Minoxidil also outperformed oral biotin in promoting nail growth. No serious adverse effects were reported, suggesting that topical minoxidil is safe and potentially effective, although larger trials are needed for confirmation.