So are you sure to give minoxidil a shot? You were on the wagon. You followed every directive. And then… bam. It seems like more hair is shedding than ever before. Are you having second thoughts? Has this made things worse?
Before you give up, know this: that is the minoxidil shedding phase. And it’s a really good thing.
What exactly does Minoxidil mean ?
Minoxidil is one of the best remedies for hair loss. Originally developed as medication to control blood pressure, doctors discovered that some patients started growing unexpected hair – a by product – prompting the topical solution applied directly to the scalp, sold as foam or liquid.
Minoxidil works to dilate the vessels surrounding hair follicles, increasing blood flow to the scalp and driving additional nutrients towards the follicles. This additional nutrients supply causes the hair follicles to change from a resting state to an active growing phase – and herein lies the source of temporary shedding.
Why Does the Minoxidil Shedding Phase Happen?
Each of our hair follicles is working through growth, transition, resting, and shed. Most of the hair follicles on your head will be resting at any time – they’re peacefully dormant – also referred to as telogen stage. Minoxidil’s purpose in hair growth application is the stimulation of those dormant follicles back into an active phase of growth. In order to get new growth through the surface of our head, it must go through and out of what our head is currently growing out of it.
When Does the Shedding Start and How Long Does It Last?
On average, when you first begin taking minoxidil you’ll notice shedding at around two to eight weeks in. The shedding phase may last anywhere from four to 12 weeks or longer, depending on how the individual reacts to treatment. You may notice some additional shedding on the pillow or in the shower, or even as you run your comb through your hair; depending on the individual you’ll notice anywhere from minor increased shedding to severe shedding.
What Should You Expect After the Shedding Phase?
After the shedding phase ends, your follicles that were stimulated by minoxidil begin to grow new hair. While you might start to see some visible new growth as soon as 3 months into treatment, most users will see more noticeable results between months 3 to 6. Hair regrowth is typically finer at first and will become coarser as you continue using minoxidil.
As with all hair loss treatments, results can vary depending on the severity of hair loss, how diligently you apply your minoxidil, and if the root cause of hair loss is also being treated.
It tends to be most effective for individuals with mild to moderate thinning and least effective in completely bald areas where the hair follicle has stopped functioning. Just as an important note, this treatment won’t cure hair loss and if you discontinue use, you can expect the hairs to start falling out again.
Should You Stop Minoxidil During the Shedding Phase?
This is the Number One most frequent mistake of all: Stop the treatment at the moment that it begins to work. You will stop the minoxidil during the phase of shedding. Now the new stimulated hairs that are growing will never finish the phase of growth.
You have both the shed hairs, and no new ones are growing. Stop this until you become allergic to minoxidil, you get a sore head, or you have seen your doctor. At least give it 4 to 6 months.
When Should You See a Specialist?
However, you should consider visiting a hair specialist if your hair shedding: Is causing concern Is persisting and continues for more than 3 months and is without any signs of regrowth Has resulted in patchy areas of baldness (as opposed to generalized hair thinning) As hair loss may be the result of any medical conditions such as thyroid problems, nutritional deficiencies, or scalp conditions that topical treatments like minoxidil cannot resolve. It can also be appropriate to consider having a consultation for surgical hair restoration if hair loss is at a significant stage and there has been a poor response to hair loss medication.
Final Thoughts
What the Minoxidil Shed Phase Is the one section everyone misreads! You may feel like you’re moving backwards but you are, in fact, moving forward. Have patience and be consistent with your application- results normally pay off in the end if you stick to your guns.
If you have a strange hair loss pattern, you haven’t seen progress in months or just aren’t entirely sure whether what you’re doing is going to pay off, get in touch with the experts at QHT Clinic, one of the best hair transplant clinic in Gurgaon.
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