Rogaine (Minoxidil): The Initial Hair Shedding Phase?

This common question comes from a hair loss sufferer’s email inquiry:

I recently started Rogaine (minoxidil) and I’m now slightly concerned. My hair appears slightly thinner than before, and I’m worried about eventual regrowth. Is this the initial “shedding phase” associated with minoxidil usage? Will it grow back? How long?

Unfortunately, Rogaine (minoxidil) usage is almost always associated with an initial “shedding phase.” During this shedding phase, which can last up to 4 months, users experience excessive, accelerated periods of hair loss, and feel like the medication is causing them to “go bald” even quicker. However, the fact of the matter is that the medication is simply helping the scalp rid itself of thin, partially affected hairs and restarting the hair follicle growth cycle with thicker, more resilient hair. Altogether, the first 3-4 months are tough, but it almost always results in thicker, denser hair and new growth from the 6 to 12 month mark (and beyond).

Additionally, most recommend waiting a full 6 to 12 months before evaluating the results of Rogaine usage. Because of this, it might be best to wait a full 6 months before considering the treatment a failure. However, if you’ve gone a significant amount of time and feel like the product is only worsening your hair loss and overall sense of well being, I highly recommend scheduling an appointment with a Dermatologist or Hair Restoration Physician. A highly trained Dermatologist will be able to evaluate the situation and determine whether or not you should continue the Rogaine regimen or add/try other proven medications like Propecia (finasteride).

_______________________
Blake Bloxham – formerly “Future_HT_Doc”

Editorial Assistant and Forum Co-Moderator for the Hair Transplant Network, the Hair Loss Learning Center, the Hair Loss Q&A Blog, and the Hair Restoration Forum

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Technorati Tags: hair loss, Rogaine, minoxidil, hair follicle, Hair Restoration, Propecia, finasteride

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View Comments

Bella Mae says:

July 11, 2020 at 7:16 am

Do NOT use Rogaine. Unfortunately I did extensive research into the product and read hundreds and hundreds of reviews and catastrophes in consumers after I tried the product. My experience is one of the catastrophes. I used the Rogaine foam for women for one month. From the second day, my hair was shedding. And NOT just fine weak hair "that would normally fall out anyway" as the ad claims. This was my strong shiny healthy hair. As I used the product as directed, more and more hair loss. After one month, the side of my head that was normally the thick side, became so thin that half way down, there is barely any hair. The top layers just flop down over my ear. I am at a great heart ache. My top now exposes a vast amount of my scalp, which I never had before. I stopped using the poison at one month. Now after three months after that, NO hair has grown back. I did NOT recover any of the horrible hair loss from Rogaine. I feel my scalp all the time. Walking normally, I feel the wind all through my scalp. My reading glasses slide off my face now. That has NEVER happened in my life. There definitely needs to be a class action law suit against Rogaine. And any replies to the heart broken and scammed consumer review were abusive, condescending, and dictatorial to them. As if the devalue the customers. Disgusting!!!
- Melvin says:
  
  July 15, 2020 at 8:52 pm
  
  I'm very sorry to hear about your experience, but the vast majority of users do not experience permanent hair loss, as long as they continue to taking minoxidil.