Minoxidil 5% for beard and keratosis pilaris. Any harm? Did KP kill my hair follicles (Photo)

Question

I have hair all underneath chin and some hair on my cheeks before starting minoxidil. I’ve started Minox 5% 2x a day and was wondering if KP on my cheeks will keep it from working?

Jeff Rapaport, MD · Answer

In  keratosis pilaris a follicular plug can inhibit the hair follicle from exiting the follicular opening. In addition, if there is significant amount inflammation, the follicular shaft may not grow normally. My suggestion would be to treat the keratosis pilaris and continue the minoxidil.

Jeff Donovan, MD, PhD · Answer

Great question. It really depends in which of the many many many variants of KP you have. Some KP forms are associated with more permanent hair loss and minoxidil will do very little in such cases. The most likely in the photo are KP variants such as Keratosis Pilaris Rubra/Keratosis pilaris atrophicans faceii. Treatments can sometimes help redness and texture but hair growth will not significantly be affected by any treatment.See a good dermatologist.
Marqueling et al. Keratosis Pilaris Rubra. A Common but Underrecognized Condition. JAMA Dermatology 2006.

William Rassman, MD (retired) · Answer

Keratosis pilaris is often considered a variant of normal skin and as such can be treated as you would with any normal skin. The use of minoxidil should not be a problem. Watch for unusualy redness. .

Minoxidil 5% for beard and keratosis pilaris. Any harm? Did KP kill my hair follicles (Photo)

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Minoxidil 5% for beard and keratosis pilaris. Any harm? Did KP kill my hair follicles (Photo)

Answers (3)

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