I have been shedding at the temples from using Minoxidil. Will hair that I lost from the product grow back without further use?

Question

I won't be using minoxidil anymore. Even not when adviced because i'm to scared. With this said, if i shed from minoxidil, would I shed from finasteride also? I want to try finasteride. But don't want the shedding I got while on minoxidil Thank you for your time.

Jay Goldstein, MD · Answer

Shedding is quite common with Minoxidil and eventually resolves when new hairs appear. Sort of like losing a baby tooth and then seeing it replaced. Minoxidil (5%) is an FDA approved treatment for androgenetic alopecia which is I presume is what you have. Some folks see shedding when they start Minoxidil, and one can also see shedding when one stops. You need to take it for a minimum of 4 months (twice/day on dry hair) before discontinuing to ascertain for sure if it is not working. Bear in mind that even though it is applied topically to your scalp, it is absorbed into the blood stream and can have systemic effects (dizziness, low BP, arrhythmias). It may work for many months and then stop working.  If it is working, you will be taking it forever. Your alternative is LLLT.  While a quality laser unit is expensive, over the long run it is the least expensive option. Finally, if neither of these approaches work, you should consider PRP. If you are a male over 50, Finasteride is a reasonable option but if you have an active sex life, I would suggest PRP.

Robert Nettles, MD · Answer

First of all congratulations on doing something to stop your hair loss because doing nothing definitely does NOT work.  In our practice we see a lot of patients who have come to us after having problems with minoxidil which because the medicine requires to be deployed in an alcohol base causes irritation and inflammation of the scalp with a lot of users.  Note also that Minoxidil is only a mild hair growth stimulant and not specific to the hair on the head.  There are better hair growth stimulants available that do not require an alcohol base and therefore dont cause the irritation and hair fall that Minoxidil does.  I would recommend seeing a hair regrowth specialist to find out about all your options before stopping the Minoxidil so as to not leave a gap in time between treatments.  Note also that Minoxidil is a grower and does not STOP your underlying cause of hair loss which means that you are really only delaying the inevitable for a period of time.

William Rassman, MD (retired) · Answer

Shedding from minoxidil has been reported when it is started and is usually reverses after 2-3 months, so just keep to it

I have been shedding at the temples from using Minoxidil. Will hair that I lost from the product grow back without further use?

Answers (3)

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