Can hair not sensitive to DHT become minoxidil dependent?

Question

Can minoxidil make the healthy hair surrounding the miniaturized/thinning hair dependent? If i were to stop using minoxidil would the non DHT sensitive hairs fallout?  Also, can DHT resistant hairs which are genetically immune to balding become dependent on minoxidil if minoxidil is applied to them?

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

You will need to continue using Minoxidil to maintain your results. I suggest seeing a hair loss expert now to evaluate and go over your condition and test results and provide you information about your best treatment options. There are great non-invasive options like prp/progesterone and/or hair transplantation. See an expert. Best, Dr. Emer

Jeff Donovan, MD, PhD · Answer

I understand your question. It is a great one and the short answer is that if a hair is not DHT dependent then it is less likely to be minoxidil dependent. However, one thing that needs to be considered is that one cannot predict if a hair will become DHT dependent over time and therefore may become minoxidil dependent over time as well. It is possible that by using minoxidil  continuously that one prevents hair loss and therefore prevents further miniaturization of hairs. Even if one were to stop minoxidil at that time it's possible that hair loss could occur because a hair follicle that was once DHT independent had transformed to DHT dependent state in the meantime.  In general though, if hairs are truly DHT resistant and are likely to remain DHT resistant for the life of the patient then it is unlikely that there will be significant hair loss or a significant change in density following cessation of minoxidil.  The assumption that is made in the question is that all hairs that are DHT resistant will remain DHT resistant. This is frequently a wrong assumption.

Daniel Danyo, MD · Answer

Minoxidil works by keeping the existing hair follicles in a longer anagen (growth phase) and by stimulating an increase in blood flow to thicken miniaturized (DHT sensitive) hair follicles.  With Minoxidil use, more follicles may be at the end of the anagen period and closer to the telogen (rest) phase.  As a result, when Minoxidil is stopped, more follicle may enter into the telogen (rest) phase, triggering shedding.  This is not permanent hair loss and may not be significant as far as visible hair thinning.

William Rassman, MD (retired) · Answer

Once you have minoxidil  dependent hair, you must stay on the drug or you will lose the hair.  See an expert hair physician and build a Master Plan for your future

Can hair not sensitive to DHT become minoxidil dependent?

Answers (4)

Answer: Minoxodil dependency

Answer: Minoxodil dependency

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Can hair not sensitive to DHT become minoxidil dependent?

Answers (4)

Answer: Minoxodil dependency

Answer: Minoxodil dependency

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Everything you need to know about Hair Loss Treatment

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