I started using Minoxidil on 8th may. I used to apply twice a day. Does it cause increase in hair loss?

Question

I started using minoxil ..i used to apply twice a day.and then stoped using it after using for a week..and then i observed that 15 days after i stopped using,my hair loss frequency increased.So,does minoxidil cause increase in hairloss even after using it for a week??is this hairloss temporary or it will shed all my hair??i am vry worried please suggest

Jay Goldstein, MD · Answer

There are two big mistakes people usually make when using minoxidil hair loss products. One is that people stop using minoxidil too soon. A lot of people think minoxidil products does not work for them as they do not see any difference after using it for 1 or 2 months. The fact is that it typically takes 2 to 4 months to see obvious regrowth.
The other mistake people usually make is that they get panicked and stop using the product after seeing increased hair loss. People should know that hair grows in a cyclical nature. The growth phase (anagen) of scalp hair lasts two to six years. Then the hair follicle goes into a resting phase (telogen) that lasts approximately three months. As the new hairs grow in,  it pushes out the older hairs, resulting in shedding. It is very much like losing baby teeth to make room for adult teeth.  When you start Minoxidil, some of the hair follicles may be shifted from the telogen phase into the anagen phase resulting in a temporary increase in shedding. Thus, it is not uncommon to see a temporary increase in shedding during the first two to three weeks using Minoxidil products. This increase in shedding is only temporary and should subside within a couple of weeks with continued treatment. Please note, however, if increased shedding continues for longer than 4 weeks, you should consult your own physician to rule out other possible medical conditions.

Ilhan Serdaroglu, MD · Answer

Minoxidil helps to stopping hair loss and thickening of hair although it may cause a little loss at beginning and it is temporary. İt does not cause shedding of all your hair. But ıf you stop to use minox after a long time usage, you may experience a fast thinning, even loss of hair because of ending action of active ingredient. That phenomena leads people to a misconception that minoxidil causes hair loss after  stopping to use it.

Jeff Donovan, MD, PhD · Answer

Minoxidil sends a powerful message to hairs that are sitting dormant and resting in the scalp: "get out! leave!"
Shedding is common in the first 2-8 weeks. This mechanism is referred to as immediate telogen release. It is the resting, dormant hairs that are told to shed, not the actively growing hairs.

I started using Minoxidil on 8th may. I used to apply twice a day. Does it cause increase in hair loss?

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I started using Minoxidil on 8th may. I used to apply twice a day. Does it cause increase in hair loss?

Answers (3)

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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.