Minoxidil: The Application and Its Effects Told in Months

Minoxidil is one of the most popular treatments for hair loss. Its use has become widespread due to its ability to stimulate hair growth in people with androgenetic alopecia. However, many people who are considering starting the treatment or who have been using it for a few days have questions about when they will begin to see results and how their hair will evolve over time.

This article offers a month-by-month tour of what to expect when using minoxidil, based on real testimonials and scientific studies.

How Does Minoxidil Work?

Minoxidil was originally developed as an oral medication to treat hypertension, but researchers discovered that one of its side effects was hair growth. As a topical treatment, minoxidil acts as a vasodilator that improves blood circulation in the scalp, allowing more oxygen and nutrients to reach the hair follicles. This helps reverse the miniaturization of hair caused by androgenetic alopecia and prolongs the growth phase of the hair cycle.

**NOTE: It is important to note that minoxidil does not work for everyone, and its effects vary depending on genetics, the degree of hair loss, and consistency in its application. **

First Months: Understanding the "Shedding Phase"

During the first few weeks or months of use, many people experience temporary hair loss, known as the "shedding phase." This happens because minoxidil accelerates the hair growth cycle, causing hair follicles to shed weak, telogen-phase (resting) hairs to make way for new, stronger hairs.

A study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (Olsen et al., 2002) evaluated the effect of minoxidil on patients with androgenetic alopecia and confirmed that the shedding phase generally occurs within the first 2 to 8 weeks of treatment. This phenomenon is a normal reaction to the change in the hair cycle, and researchers observed that patients who continued treatment experienced a significant increase in hair density after 4 to 6 months. This effect may be alarming, **but it is completely normal. **The key is to remain consistent and not stop treatment. Most users who make it through this phase begin to see improvements in the following months.

In addition, according to a clinical case analysis in the International Journal of Trichology (Rogers et al., 2014), those who stopped minoxidil after the shedding phase saw a greater deterioration in their hair loss compared to those who continued use.

3.5 Months: Forehead Reduction and First Signs of Growth

After 3.5 months of consistent use of minoxidil, one user shared his detailed testimony about the changes he has seen in his hair. In his post, he mentions that he has noticed a decline in hair loss and an apparent reduction in the size of his forehead. This suggests that hair is beginning to repopulate areas where there was previously thinning or receding hairlines. The user describes the appearance of new hairs on the front hairline, which, while still thin and light, indicate an ongoing recovery process. He also mentions that the density of his hair has gradually increased, although it is still far from a final result.

These changes have been documented in multiple clinical studies and user reports on forums specializing in alopecia. Research such as that published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (Olsen et al., 2002) has shown that after several months of continuous use, follicles begin to produce new hairs with greater thickness and density. This process is gradual, and at this stage you can still see fine, light hairs that will become stronger over time. Consistency in applying minoxidil is key to maintaining this progress and avoiding a regression in the results obtained so far.

4 Months: Increase in Hair Density

Another documented testimony describes the changes observed after four months of applying minoxidil twice a day, complemented by the dermarolling technique. The user reports an increase in hair density, noticing that his pre-existing hair has gained thickness and that new hairs have begun to appear on the top of his head. In addition, he mentions a noticeable decrease in daily hair loss, indicating that minoxidil is stabilizing the hair cycle and prolonging the anagen phase of growth.

These results are in line with clinical studies such as the one published in the International Journal of Trichology (Dhurat et al., 2013), which found that using minoxidil in conjunction with dermarolling significantly improved hair count compared to minoxidil alone. The microstimulation induced by dermarolling could increase the absorption of minoxidil and activate growth factors in the scalp, which would explain the positive effects in this testimonial.

6 Months: Improved Results with Finasteride

After six months of treatment, one user shared his progress after using minoxidil consistently and introducing finasteride into his routine from the fourth month onwards. In his testimonial, he describes a noticeable recovery in areas where alopecia was already advanced, reporting that his hair is not only denser, but has also gained thickness and strength. The user mentions that, compared to the first few months, he now experiences minimal hair loss, indicating that the treatment is stabilizing the anagen phase. She also highlights that the new hairs that had begun to grow in previous months have thickened considerably, giving her hair a more uniform appearance.

These results are consistent with research such as the study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (Olsen et al., 2002), which documented that minoxidil alone can produce significant improvements in hair density and coverage over a six-month period. However, the effect can be enhanced with the use of finasteride, as observed in the study in the International Journal of Trichology (Suchonwanit et al., 2018), where the combination of these two treatments resulted in a greater reduction in hair miniaturization and an increase in the amount of terminal hair.

This case reinforces the idea that, although minoxidil is effective on its own, its combination with finasteride can provide more complete and sustained results over time. It is important to note that any combination of treatments should be supervised by a specialist to assess possible side effects and maximize benefits. In addition, the synergy between minoxidil and finasteride, a DHT inhibitor (hormone responsible for androgenetic alopecia), is highlighted, suggesting that a combination of treatments may improve results.

9 Months: Remarkable Recovery and Future Expectations

After nine months of consistent minoxidil use, a 19-year-old shared his detailed experience. In his post, he mentions that he has noticed a noticeable recovery in his front hairline, with new hairs populating areas that previously showed clear signs of thinning. The user also highlights a significant increase in overall hair density, which has allowed him to style his hair more easily. Although some of the new hairs are still thin, he has seen steady progress in their thickness and coloring. In addition, he mentions that his daily hair loss has been considerably reduced, suggesting that his anagen phase has been prolonged.

These changes align with research such as the study published in Dermatologic Therapy (Suchonwanit et al., 2018), which documented that the effects of minoxidil are most evident after 6 to 9 months of continuous use. This study confirms that new hair that appears during the first few months tends to become stronger and acquire characteristics similar to the original hair over time. Scientific evidence supports the importance of persistence in treatment, as stopping it prematurely can reverse the progress made.

Conclusions

Minoxidil is an effective solution for hair loss, but its success depends on consistency in its application and patience to observe long-term results. Studies such as that of Olsen et al. (2002) have shown that its effectiveness increases over time, reaching its maximum potential after 6 to 12 months of continuous use. However, the response to treatment varies according to individual factors such as genetics and the stage of alopecia at which treatment is started. It is essential to understand that discontinuing minoxidil can lead to reversal of the effects achieved, so its use should be seen as a long-term commitment.

Sources

Dhurat, R., Sukesh, M. S., Avhad, G., Dandale, A., Pal, A., & Pund, P. (2013). A randomized evaluator blinded study of effect of microneedling in androgenetic alopecia: A pilot study. International Journal of Trichology, 5(1), 6-11. https://doi.org/10.4103/0974-7753.114706

Olsen, E. A., Dunlap, F. E., Funicella, T., Koperski, J. A., Swinehart, J. M., Tschen, E. H., & Trancik, R. J. (2002). A randomized clinical trial of 5% topical minoxidil versus 2% topical minoxidil and placebo in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in men. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 47(3), 377-385. https://doi.org/10.1067/mjd.2002.124088

Rogers, N. E., & Avram, M. R. (2014). Medical treatments for male and female pattern hair loss. International Journal of Trichology, 6(2), 46-53. https://doi.org/10.4103/0974-7753.138599

Suchonwanit, P., Thammarucha, S., & Leerunyakul, K. (2018). Minoxidil and its use in hair disorders: A review. Drug Design, Development and Therapy, 12, 3565-3575. https://doi.org/10.2147/DDDT.S172685

Reddit user. (2024, February 2). My forehead is shrinking (3.5 month update) [Post on online forum]. Reddit. https://www.reddit.com/r/tressless/comments/18g91yw/my_forehead_is_shrinking_35_month_update/

RedditUser. (2024, March 5). Minoxidil 4 months progress (twice a day) [Post on online forum]. Reddit. https://www.reddit.com/r/tressless/comments/1byebju/minoxidil_4_months_progress_twice_a_day/

RedditUser. (2024, March 12). 6 months on min, 4 months on fin (update) [Post on online forum]. Reddit. https://www.reddit.com/r/tressless/comments/1btfotf/6_months_on_min_4_months_on_fin_update/

RedditUser. (2024, March 20). 9 months on minoxidil and planning to use fin [Post on online forum]. Reddit. https://www.reddit.com/r/tressless/comments/1fu8bbn/9_months_on_minoxidil_and_plannin_use_fin/