Minoxidil Doubt After Stop Using It

[santi_galicia_2005]

Hi folks,

I suffer from Androgenic Hair Loss and have been prescribed Minoxidil, I have a question in relation to the use of this substance.

If I start using Minoxidil and after a few years I stop using it, Could I potentially lose more hair than I would if I hadn't ever used Minoxidil?

For example, Let's say I lose 1000 hair follicles a year, that means in 7 years I will have 7x1000=7000 follicles less than I have now. If I start using Minoxidil for 7 years and I stop using it assuming I will suddenly lose a lot of hair, will that amount of lost hair will be less, equal or more than 7000?

I hope I have expressed it clearly as English is not my mother tongue.

Thank you very much

 

[Alphalete]

If I start using Minoxidil and after a few years I stop using it, Could I potentially lose more hair than I would if I hadn't ever used Minoxidil?

If you respond well to Minoxidil you'll gain results from it for the time you're using it. But if you stop using minoxidil it'll be as if you've never used it. Minoxidil is only a growth stimulant, which doesn't address the main cause of hair loss.

Based on your other question, you'll most likely be below baseline if you stop using the medication.

 

[santi_galicia_2005]

If I start using Minoxidil and after a few years I stop using it, Could I potentially lose more hair than I would if I hadn't ever used Minoxidil?

If you respond well to Minoxidil you'll gain results from it for the time you're using it. But if you stop using minoxidil it'll be as if you've never used it. Minoxidil is only a growth stimulant, which doesn't address the main cause of hair loss.

Based on your other question, you'll most likely be below baseline if you stop using the medication.

Thank you very much for your reply, that means it will not speed up the loss of my alopecia, it will just stop it from falling. Is that right? thank you

 

[Alphalete]

Thank you very much for your reply, that means it will not speed up the loss of my alopecia, it will just stop it from falling. Is that right? thank you

If it works correctly then yes it should decrease the amount that falls but it is not recommended to take minoxidil without an anti-androgen. Are you aware of finasteride?

 

[santi_galicia_2005]

If it works correctly then yes it should decrease the amount that falls but it is not recommended to take minoxidil without an anti-androgen. Are you aware of finasteride?

I was also prescribed finasteride, but I don't want to alter my hormones, what would happen if I decided to use just minoxidil? thanks

 

[Alphalete]

I was also prescribed finasteride, but I don't want to alter my hormones, what would happen if I decided to use just minoxidil? thanks

Well mate I know that people see gains with minoxidil for a few months/1 year ish, and then they subside because the hairloss progresses... Who knows though, it might work longer for you.

You can always try finasteride and if you get sides you can stop..

 

[joeblack2017]

If you use minoxidil and then stopped using it, your hair will go back to it's normal progression. You wont lose hair right away, but certain factors like dht will eventually caught up with you and make it seem like you lost more than you gain

 

[AnxiousAndy]

Minoxidil is like a chemical wig, the hairs it regrows/maintains are actually still dying and when you take away the hairs life support ( minoxidil ) all the hairs being kept alive will all die, usually in synchronization and you will be left balder. Here's an example.. Let's say you are Norwood 2 and lose a norwood every 5 years. At Norwood 2 you decide to use minoxidil and regrow back to Norwood 1 then 5 years later you stop the treatment you will end up as a norwood 3+ within one year of stopping.