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Minoxidil on bald patches caused by hair pulling disorder, will the hair fall out later?

Will the hair that grow from minox fall later on? Is it real hair? I used to have really thick hair but I have a habit of pulling my hair out (Trichotillomania) and now I have a bald patch on the crown of my head and I want it to grow fast so I'm I Using minoxidil spray, but is it safe?

Doctor Answers 5

August 2nd, 2016

Minoxidil on bald patches caused by hair pulling disorder, will the hair fall out later?

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The hair resulting from minoxidil is real although it is often finer than other hair. It may fall out after several months of cessation of minoxidil. This would be the hair that minoxidil had helped. Not your other hair. Also minoxidil is safe in almost all cases. Occasionally it causes an inflammatory reaction to the scalp and must be stopped. The inflammation is usually very easily stopped by using cortisone cream after minoxidil is stopped.As far as the trichotillomania, we just completed a blog concerning this affliction (along with pictures). The link is below. 

Learn more: http://gulfcoasthairrestoration.com/why-do-people-pull-their-hair-out-a-trichotillomania-diagnosis/

William Woessner, MD


New Orleans Hair Restoration Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 5 reviews

August 1st, 2016

Hair Pulling Disorder Trichotillomania

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Regrowth with Minoxidil suggests that you have not completely destroyed the follicular bulbs under the skin. That is a good sign. 5% minoxidil is safe as long as you follow the instructions properly. Your biggest enemy is now pulling again. See your family doctor to discuss the problem.

Learn more: https://www.hairtransplantseattle.com

Brian Goertz, MD

Brian Goertz, MD
Seattle Hair Restoration Surgeon
4.9 out of 5 stars 36 reviews

August 1st, 2016

Hair loss -- PRP, Progesterone, Viviscal, Rogaine, Finesteride, Spironolactone

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Minoxidil can sometimes cause a small telogen hair loss, this recovers quickly and is never permanent. I suggest non invasive options such as PRP/progesterone or transplantation for improvement. Please consult with a board certified dermatologist for evaluation. Best, Dr. Emer

Learn more: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCa6C2fuS-AgOnvBjr6_VSQg

Jason Emer, MD

Jason Emer, MD
Los Angeles Dermatologic Surgeon
4.8 out of 5 stars 207 reviews

August 1st, 2016

Minoxidil on Trichotellomania patches in the crown

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Minoxidil may cause some hair regrowth but it will be slow if it works at all. Much of the time real hair shaft diameters are not produced by this drug. Hair transplants may be the only sure way to do it, unless it is a small area, then scalp micropigmentation might work. See picture in web reference below

Learn more: https://scalpmicropigmentation.com/gallery/#!https://scalpmicropigmentation.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/scalp_micropigmentati

William Rassman, MD

William Rassman, MD
Los Angeles Hair Restoration Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 29 reviews

August 1st, 2016

Trichotillomania

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Assuming you have not caused any permanent damage to your hair follicles minoxidil should speed up the growth.  If you don't have androgenetic alopecia the hair should not fall out.

Gregory Pistone, MD
Marlton Hair Restoration Surgeon

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.