Minoxidil; Frequent Questions and Answers-1

Q 7.
What is Minoxidil Shedding? (Initial Hair Loss)

There are some people who experience excessive hair shedding from 2-3 weeks to 1 month after starting treatment with topical minoxidil. This initial response of increase in fallen hair is called “minoxidil shedding” or “Rogaine Shedding”.
Is minoxidil shedding (initial hair loss) a good sign or a bad sign?
Is initial hair loss a warning sign indicating that minoxidil should be stopped?

A 7.

Number of fallen hair may increase in some people during the first 2-3 weeks of treatment with a hair growth agent.

This phenomenon is usually observed in many patients who have begun minoxidil treatment, and it is often called “minoxidil shedding”.
However, it can also be seen in some other patients who have begun finasteride therapy.

It would be more appropriate to call the hair loss as “initial hair loss”.

It is the results that many hair follicles have begun to produce new hair, and old hair is pushed out and come off simultaneously.

This is a good sign indicating that the person has a good response to minoxidil. He will enjoy increase in hair density after several months of minoxidil therapy. This is true both in men and women.

People with initial hair loss are lucky people. Such people had better continue minoxidil for 6-12 months until they can enjoy increase in hair thickness eventually.

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