Oral Minoxidil Improves Background Hair Thickness in Lichen Planopilaris

Low-dose oral minoxidil shows mixed results, with some users experiencing hair regrowth and others seeing no significant change. Finasteride is also commonly used, often in combination with minoxidil, and is generally considered effective with a low rate of side effects.

The user experienced significant hairline improvement using 10mg oral minoxidil and 0.5mg dutasteride daily but also saw increased body and facial hair growth. They are considering reducing the minoxidil dose due to side effects and exploring laser hair removal options.

An 18-year-old woman experiencing hair loss due to stress, possible PCOS, and low vitamin D is concerned about starting 5% minoxidil foam, prescribed by her doctor, due to potential facial hair growth. She is also using a topical steroid for scalp sensitivity and pain.

Daytime low-dose oral minoxidil may be more effective for treating androgenetic alopecia. Some users experience dizziness and headaches when taking it at night.

A user is considering switching from oral minoxidil to a combination of 5% topical minoxidil and tretinoin to reduce hypertrichosis. They hope this combination will be effective without causing excessive body hair growth.

High-dose oral minoxidil (>5 mg/day) can increase hair density in some men with androgenetic alopecia, but side effects like extra body hair and heart issues are common. Gradual dose increase is advised, but adverse effects may lead to discontinuation or dose adjustments.