I feel like Rogaine is making my telogen effluvium worse. Doctor wants me to continue it and give Rogaine a chance.

Question

I was prescribed spironaldactone 50 mg x 1 daily and 5% rogaine 2x topically. Dr. said Rogaine will act like hair fertilizer thickening hair up in 3 months. It's now 3 weeks. The shedding has increased dramatically over 200 hairs a day. The hairs that are shedding are long, strong, and contain a bulb at the end of them. I really think this is telegen effluvium. I can't pin point why. Normal thyroid & testosterone. If it is telegen effluvium, should I power through and continue the rogaine?

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

Yes, there will be increased shedding with Rogaine and it will take up to 6 months to see results. You will need to maintain use to keep your results. I suggest seeing a hair loss expert now to evaluate and go over your condition 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

Any treatment for androgenetic alopecia can cause a shed. If you are taking spironolactone then it too may be causing a shed. It's normal to shed in the first 8 weeks of either minoxidil or spironolactone use. If one decides to start then powering through is often the only way to determine if the treatment will work or not. By starting two medications at the same time, it will not be possible to determine which is promoting the growth (if hair growth is seen).

James B. DeYarman, DO - Account Suspended · Answer

Rogaine will work for everyone but for it to be effective it has to be massaged into the scalp.It is a scalp treatment not a hair treatment. After you massage the scalp wipe off the excess Rogaine from your hair with a dry towel. The hardest thing with Rogaine is using it twice a day for the rest of your life.

I feel like Rogaine is making my telogen effluvium worse. Doctor wants me to continue it and give Rogaine a chance.

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I feel like Rogaine is making my telogen effluvium worse. Doctor wants me to continue it and give Rogaine a chance.

Answers (3)

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Everything you need to know about Rogaine

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