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7 min read<\/p>\n7 min read<\/p>\n
There are plenty of reasons you might be losing hair<\/a>, from nutrient deficiencies to genetics to just plain getting older. But if your hair is suddenly coming out in clumps, or you\u2019re noticing some unwelcome bald spots, it\u2019s normal to wonder if there\u2019s a solution.<\/p>\n Meet the experts: Supriya Rastogi, M.D.<\/a>, board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology in New York City; Mona Gohara, M.D.,<\/a> a board-certified dermatologist in Connecticut and an associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine<\/p>\n Minoxidil\u2014best known as the active ingredient in Rogaine\u2014is one of the most widely recognized drugs that claims to boost hair growth<\/a>. But does minoxidil actually work for hair loss? And, more importantly, will it work for you?<\/p>\n Ahead, dermatologists break down everything you need to know about minoxidil, how it works, and whether you should try it.<\/p>\n What is minoxidil\u2014and how does it work?<\/p>\n While minoxidil is one of the most well-studied hair loss meds, it wasn\u2019t originally meant for that use, explains Supriya Rastogi, M.D.<\/a>, board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology in New York City. \u201cIt was originally developed as a medication for high blood pressure<\/a>, but researchers noticed that patients taking it experienced increased hair growth. Today, it is used specifically for hair loss.\u201d<\/p>\n The drug seems to promote hair growth by prolonging the growth phase of the hair cycle and increasing blood flow around the follicle. \u201cThink of it as giving follicles more time on the job: it helps shift resting hairs into their growing phase and keeps them growing longer,\u201d says Mona Gohara, M.D.,<\/a> a board-certified dermatologist in Connecticut and an associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine. However, she adds, the exact mechanism behind how it works isn\u2019t fully understood.<\/p>\n How do you take minoxidil?<\/p>\n Today, minoxidil is used both as a topical and oral medication, and each formulation has its own advantages. \u201cThere\u2019s not one \u2018better\u2019 option,\u201d Dr. Rastogi says. \u201cThe choice depends on the type and severity of hair loss<\/a>, your medical history, your tolerance for topical treatments, and your preferences. It can be helpful to discuss these options with a dermatologist.\u201d<\/p>\n Topical minoxidil can come in a foam or solution that you apply directly to your scalp, and it\u2019s FDA-approved for certain types of pattern hair loss. \u201cThe advantage is that there is less systemic exposure, but some patients find topical treatment inconvenient or develop scalp irritation,\u201d Dr. Rastogi explains.<\/p>\n Oral tablets, on the other hand, are prescribed off-label<\/a>\u2014meaning they aren\u2019t approved by the FDA for hair loss\u2014and work throughout the body without the localized application of a topical formulation. \u201cTablets can be convenient when topical treatment is irritating or difficult to maintain, but they bring more potential for whole-body side effects,\u201d Dr. Gohara points out\u2014more on those below.<\/p>\n Does minoxidil work for hair loss?<\/p>\n Dr. Rastogi and Dr. Gohara agree that minoxidil is one of the best treatments out there for androgenetic alopecia, more commonly known as male or female pattern hair loss. \u201c[It] has solid science behind it, especially for genetic thinning: it can slow hair loss and encourage thicker, fuller hair,\u201d Dr. Gohara says.<\/p>\n But there are some important caveats. \u201cSetting expectations is important,\u201d Dr. Rastogi says. \u201cIt is not a cure for hair loss, meaning patients need to continue the medication lifelong and can lose the benefits of the medication if they stop.\u201d The results can also vary by the patient, she says. So for one person, minoxidil could result in plenty of new growth and a head of thicker, fuller hair, while it could only stabilize hair loss for someone else.<\/p>\n Either way, patience is key, since it typically takes around six months of consistent use to see real results. \u201cThink of it like building muscle: consistency matters, results take months, and continued use helps maintain your gains when treating hereditary hair loss,\u201d Dr. Gohara explains. \u201cRemember, this is a marathon, not a sprint; hair takes time to grow!\u201d<\/p>\n Does minoxidil have any side effects?<\/p>\n Like any drug, minoxidil can come with some risks, and it won\u2019t work for everyone. The most common side effects tend to vary based on the formulation you\u2019re using.<\/p>\n While topical minoxidil is generally well tolerated, according to Dr. Rastogi, it can also be more likely to cause scalp irritation<\/a>, including dryness, redness, and scaling. \u201cSome people may also develop unwanted facial hair<\/a> if the medication comes into contact with the face,\u201d she adds. \u201cIronically, patients may experience more hair shedding initially, but this tapers out after three months and is due to the follicles shifting into the growth cycle and can be a sign of responding to the medication.\u201d<\/p>\n Another important note: Topical minoxidil is toxic to pets, particularly to cats<\/a>. It can cause serious or fatal illness<\/a> even by indirect contact\u2014like if your cat licks your pillowcase after you laid your head on it following application.<\/p>\n Since oral minoxidil is absorbed throughout your body instead of just through the scalp, it\u2019s less likely to cause that localized irritation. However, it can have more full-body side effects in addition to that initial shedding period.<\/p>\n \u201cBecause it can affect blood vessels, it may cause lightheadedness, dizziness<\/a>, headaches, swelling of the ankles or around the heart, increased heart rate or palpitations, and increased body or facial hair,\u201d Dr. Rastogi warns. Those side effects are pretty rare for the low doses that are typically prescribed for hair loss, but it\u2019s important to watch out for them and discuss them with your doctor before getting a prescription.<\/p>\n Add Prevention as a preferred source in your Google search results.<\/p>\n Use your Google account to add this to your settings.<\/p>\n Add to Google settings<\/p>\n Who should (or shouldn\u2019t) use minoxidil?<\/p>\n While minoxidil can promote hair growth very effectively for some people, it\u2019s not a one-size-fits-all solution for anyone who\u2019s been noticing some extra hair in the shower drain.<\/p>\n Again, the drug has been proven to combat male or female pattern hair loss. And it may also help with other types of genetic hair thinning\u2014including that which becomes apparent around menopause<\/a>\u2014or promote regrowth after hair loss from chemotherapy, according to Dr. Gohara.<\/p>\n But remember that hair loss can have a number of causes, and not all of them will respond well to minoxidil. \u201cCorrecting the underlying problem does the heavy lifting,\u201d Dr. Gohara says. \u201cWhile minoxidil may give follicles an extra nudge in appropriate cases, it won\u2019t repair broken strands or replace treatment for autoimmune hair loss.\u201d<\/p>\n That\u2019s why understanding what\u2019s behind your hair loss is a key first step. If you\u2019re unsure what type of hair loss you have, Dr. Rastogi recommends seeing a doctor or dermatologist to assess your scalp. \u201cIf there is pain, itching, redness, scaling, or bald spots on the scalp, seeing a dermatologist and getting an appropriate diagnosis is key,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n There are also some people who may not be good candidates for minoxidil, even if they are experiencing an applicable type of hair loss. Because the medication was originally developed to treat high blood pressure, \u201cpatients with certain cardiovascular conditions or low blood pressure, for example, should discuss the risks and benefits carefully before considering oral minoxidil,\u201d Dr. Rastogi warns. It\u2019s also not recommended if you\u2019re pregnant or breastfeeding.<\/p>\n What else can you do to promote hair growth?<\/p>\n If minoxidil isn\u2019t the right fit for you, or if you want to help it along, there are other things you can do to promote hair growth. Again, Dr. Gohara stresses that hair loss is a symptom, and you need to find the root cause and address it. For instance, \u201cautoimmune disease, thyroid problems<\/a>, menopause-related changes, iron or other vitamin deficiencies, medications, and genetics are just a few possibilities, each calling for a different approach.\u201d Depending on the cause of your hair loss\u2014which you can work with a dermatologist to figure out\u2014there are plenty of potential solutions.<\/p>\n Dr. Rastogi says other medications may help, including spironolactone for women, finasteride, over-the-counter hair supplements, or prescription anti-inflammatory treatments. \u201cTreatments such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or low-level light therapy may also be considered, although the evidence varies,\u201d she adds. \u201cHair transplantation can be an option for appropriately selected patients with permanent pattern hair loss.\u201d<\/p>\n If your hair loss is caused by a nutrient deficiency\u2014iron<\/a> and vitamin D<\/a> are common ones\u2014making some tweaks to your diet could help. Supplements may also be a good choice for some people, though Dr. Rastogi warns against taking them without confirming with your doctor that you have a deficiency first, which can be harmful.<\/p>\n![\"Google\"](\"https:\/\/www.prevention.com\/_assets\/design-tokens\/fre\/static\/icons\/social\/google.1467f37.svg\")
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