Switched from topical to oral minoxidil and experiencing significant hair shedding

Question

I started 5% topical minoxidil + finasteride and started getting fantastic results after 4 months. I stopped the minoxidil for 3 months while continuing finasteride and I began shedding a significant amount of hair after 2 months. I've now been on 2.5mg oral minoxidil for a month and I'm still experiencing a lot of shedding. Is this normal? I'm really worried the oral minoxidil won't bring back the gains I got from the topical solution... Any help would be so appreciated.

Jacquelline Leva, DO · Answer

The shedding can occur after stopping topical minoxdil its a common side effect even if you switch to PO minoxdil. It eventually does stabilize after 9 months of continued therapy. Androgenic alopecia is a life long condition that has strong genetic predisposition there are some people who cannot stop minoxdil and have to stay on it for the rest of their days.

Jeff Donovan, MD, PhD · Answer

Yes, it’s normal. Your hair is really upset that you stopped the topical minoxidil and now is shedding on account of that. It may shed 2-6 months. Even people who stop 5 days cN sometimes get shedding. You are assuming that oral minoxidil will immediately substitute and repair the telogen effluvium that has been set off by you stopping minoxidil. It does not always. All treatments for androgenetic alopecia are lifelong and shedding occurs when stopped. The best thing to do now is continue 2.5 mg (assuming nonside effects) and wait wait wait. It is not likely that 2.5 mg of oral minoxidil won’t do better than topical minoxidil so your worry is without merit and most studies to date would suggest you just need to wait 9 months after starting oral minoxidil (one year after stopping topical minoxidil).

Switched from topical to oral minoxidil and experiencing significant hair shedding

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Switched from topical to oral minoxidil and experiencing significant hair shedding

Answers (2)

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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.