Is oral minoxidil more effective for hair regrowth?

Question

Hello. I was diagnosed with telogen effluvium two months ago. I've been shedding hair for 4 months. My hair feels super thin now. Dermatologist prescribed oral monoxidil but did not take, I was too scared of the side effects. I only use topical. Can oral be more effective for hair regrowth?

Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD · Answer

Hello,

Oral minoxidil can be more effective for some individuals compared to topical formulations, particularly in cases of extensive hair thinning or when topical treatments have not yielded satisfactory results. Oral minoxidil works systemically and may provide a more consistent delivery of the active ingredient to the hair follicles. However, it is important to consider that oral minoxidil may have a higher risk of side effects, such as changes in blood pressure, fluid retention, or increased heart rate, compared to topical applications.

If you are concerned about the side effects, it is crucial to discuss these with your dermatologist, who can help assess the risks and benefits based on your specific health profile and medical history. They can also monitor you for any potential side effects if you decide to proceed with oral minoxidil. Your comfort and safety should always be the priority in any treatment plan.

Marco Barusco, MD · Answer

Hello,

Oral minoxidil can be more effective for some people as it delivers the medication systemically, potentially stimulating more widespread regrowth compared to topical application. However, if you're responding well to topical minoxidil, you may not need to switch. If you're concerned about oral minoxidil's side effects, consult your dermatologist to discuss risks, benefits, and the best approach for your specific situation.

Best regards,
Dr. Marco Barusco

Jeff Donovan, MD, PhD · Answer

I’m not a great fan of using oral or topical minoxidil for most cases of TE, especially TE that has been present under 6 months. I don’t know enough about your story specifically to offer you any kind of advice but this is not something I typically offer my own patients with similar stories. The treatment of telogen effluvium involves treating and addressing thr actual trigger. Typical triggers include stress, low iron, thyroid problems, medications, diets, weight loss, infections and illness inside the body. If low iron is the cause, the treatment is to give iron - not minoxidil. If an infection like a viral infection was the cause, then supportive care during the infection followed by waiting for hair shedding to settle is the best strategy. If TE truly is the correct diagnosis, then most cases settle in 6-12 months without the need for things like minoxidil. Now, let me say at this point that TE is often misdiagnosed. There are many hair issues that cause shedding that can look like TE. Androgenetic alopecia is just one such example. If androgenetic alopecia was the reason for the hair loss and not actually a TE, then treatment with minoxidil makes sense. but it would be a lifelong treatment (forever and ever). In this case, oral minoxidil and topical minoxidil are pretty similar with a slight greater benefit for oral minoxidil (but only if one can withstand higher doses). All in all, let me summarize by saying a few points. 1) the treatment of typical TE does not involve minoxidil. 2) The treatment of typical TE involves addressing whatever the trigger was and allowing time for the body to heal. 3) one must always be on the lookout for mimicking diagnoses like androgenetic alopecia especially if hair does not improve after 6-8 months. 4) all patients with suspected TE need blood tests. The required tests depend on the person’s story so I have no idea what you would need as I don’t know your story. Typically, blood tests like ferritin, CBC, TSH, vitamin D are needed but sometimes other tests are needed like RPR, zinc, ANA, ESR, testosterone, DHEAS, albumin, selenium, CRP, serum iron, TIBC, prolactin, cortisol. Your doctor will guide you as to what you specifically need. Thank you for the advice question.

Is oral minoxidil more effective for hair regrowth?

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Is oral minoxidil more effective for hair regrowth?

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Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.