Will stopping the use of minoxidil make me lose hair even if I don't have androgenetic alopecia?

Question

I am 21 and have noticed some hair shedding after a stressful period 2 years ago. I started using minoxidil right after. I have been using it for more than 2 years and I was wondering to stop the treatment because I am not sure that I really need it... The question is if the fact of stopping minoxidil will make me loose hair even if I don't have androgenetic alopecia. I mean by that: does minoxidil cause the body to become dependent and used to the benefits of minoxidil (opens the vessels, ...) ?

John Peter Cole, MD · Answer

Minoxidil is an anagen promoter.  If you cease using minoxidil, you could have a slight shift toward a higher concentration of resting or telogen hair.  This might be evident by a shedding at some point perhaps in a few months.  However, if you don't have androgenic alopecia, you really should not experience thinning or balding.

Jeff Donovan, MD, PhD · Answer

This is a great question. The answer is “maybe.” If you don’t have AGA but are in the very very earliest stages of AGA, a shed could occur and the result be hair loss. Also, if minoxidil is benefitting some sort of telogen effluvium you have (even if subclinical)... you might still get hair loss from stopping. This includes a telogen effluvium from stress, seborrheic dermatitis or poor diet. No, the body does not really become dependent per se.

William Rassman, MD (retired) · Answer

If you have taken minoxidil for a long time and developed hair that is dependent upon it, then when you stop the drug, the hair will fall out that is minoxidil dependent

Will stopping the use of minoxidil make me lose hair even if I don't have androgenetic alopecia?

Answers (3)

Recommended reading

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.

Will stopping the use of minoxidil make me lose hair even if I don't have androgenetic alopecia?

Answers (3)

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

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.