To Minoxidil or NOT to Minoxidil after FUE. If I use it for only 6 months will if effect the non-transplanted hair?

Question

I'm post FUE surgery - had minor work done in the hair line aprox 1500 grafts - my hair loss was stable, I didn't seem to lose much hair in last 5 years. After surgery my doctor recommended to use Minoxidil 5% for at least 6 months. If I start using Minox for 6 months and then stop will it affect my non-transplanted hair? I mean, will my "natural" hair fall as a side-effect of using Minoxidil after the 6 months? If "YES" - is it better to avoid the Minoxidil and not use it at all?

Jae Pak, MD · Answer

Minoxidil will not make your hair transplant result look any better.  Minoxidil is not necessary after surgery.  You can still use minoxidil to treat general thinning.  Consult with your doctor.

Kapil Dua, MBBS, MS · Answer

In my opinion, the use of minoxidil should not lead to loss of " natural hair " as your hair loss is stable at this moment as per the history provided by you.

Ryan Welter, MD · Answer

Minoxidil will not affect your FUE transplanted hairs in any negative way.  However you may have benefit from your native hairs that you may wish to continue for more than the 6 months recommended to you.

Karl Hekimian, MD · Answer

Contrary to rumor, using minoxidil and then stopping does not leave you worse off than you would have been had you never used it.  Whatever gains and positive effects you got from minoxidil will go away if you stop using it, but you will just revert to how you would have been had you never started.

William Rassman, MD (retired) · Answer

I did a study using minoxidil on one side and none on the other side of the recipient area,. There was not difference in the many patients who were studied

To Minoxidil or NOT to Minoxidil after FUE. If I use it for only 6 months will if effect the non-transplanted hair?

Answers (5)