Baldness transmitted minoxidil

Question

Hi! I was wondering if it is possible for baldness to be transmitted? I was playing vr-headset, switching back and foreword with a balding person (male pattern baldness) and now 1,5 mouth later im loosing so much hair! I am a minoxidil user and is it possible that the enzyme that make minoxidil not work being transmitted to me? Or any other transmitted baldning enzymes or bacteria?

Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD · Answer

Hello! I completely understand your concern—sudden hair shedding can be distressing, especially if it seems to follow a specific event.

To clarify: male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) is not contagious and cannot be transmitted through sharing items like a VR headset. It’s a genetically driven condition influenced by hormones (primarily DHT) and genetic predisposition—not an infection or transferable enzyme.

There is no enzyme or bacteria that can be passed from one person to another that would make minoxidil ineffective or trigger hair loss in this manner. If you're experiencing increased shedding, several other factors could be involved, such as:

Telogen effluvium (shedding triggered by stress, illness, or hormonal changes)

Seasonal hair shedding

Scalp irritation or dermatitis, especially if the headset caused friction

Change in hair care routine or medication

If you've been using minoxidil and are seeing hair loss, it’s possible you're in the “shedding phase” that sometimes happens early in treatment—this can actually be a sign it’s working. However, if it’s been 1.5 months and the shedding is severe, I’d recommend seeing a dermatologist for a closer look to rule out other causes.

John Peter Cole, MD · Answer

Baldness due to a genetic predisposition is not transmittable. Minoxidil requires an enzyme called sulfotransferase to put a sulfate group on minoxidil. Sulfated minoxidil is the active form of the drug. You either have this enzyme or you do not have this enzyme based on your genetics. You cannot lose this enzyme by sharing a headpiece or hat with someone else, who is balding. if you are on minoxidil and your hair loss has increased, you may need to consider adding another medication and evaluating your response to minoxidil. Only roughly 40% of the people respond to minoxidil. You can evaluate your response to medications by doing a genetic test called the trichotest. We are happy to provide you with this test if you are inclined. 
Furthermore, androgenic baldness is not a transmitted disease. Some diseases like syphilis can cause hair loss, but this is a sexually transmitted disease.

Anil R. Shah, MD · Answer

Hello! My name is Jessica, I am a physician assistant, and one of the providers at Aesthetic Skin in Winnetka and Chicago. This is a great question. Baldness, particularly male pattern baldness, is primarily influenced by genetics and hormones, specifically dihydrotestosterone (DHT). It isn't contagious or transmissible through contact, so switching VR headsets with someone who is balding wouldn't cause hair loss in yourself. Minoxidil works by improving blood flow to hair follicles, but its effectiveness can vary from person to person. If you’re noticing increased hair loss while using it, it might be due to factors like stress, hormonal changes, or simply the natural progression of hair loss. I highly recommend trying exosome injections. This is a new and regenerative treatment for hair loss with minimal downtime. Exosomes can help stimulate hair follicles and promote hair growth by delivering growth factors and signaling molecules. I love this treatment and highly recommend it! I hope this helps and best of luck.

Jeff Donovan, MD, PhD · Answer

no, baldness is not transmitted in this manner. you should see a hair loss expert to determine the precise cause. there are 35 causes that need careful consideration by your doctors. The hypothesis stated is not one of them.

Baldness transmitted minoxidil

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Baldness transmitted minoxidil

Answers (4)

Answer: No

Answer: No

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Everything you need to know about Hair Loss Treatment

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