what are YOUR thoughts on minoxidil and aging skin?

[labellavita1985]

Hey guys,

just wondering if any of you reading this have experienced skin changes on minoxidil; such as fine lines, wrinkles, enlarged pores, color changes, undereye circles, and undereye puffiness.

I'm trying to get a good idea of what percentage of people on minoxidil experience this.

I'd appreciate it if you replied with what kinds of changes you have observed, how long after you began, etc. Was there any other factors that could have contributed - smoking, drinking, actual aging?

I'd appreciate any and all responses; and if you don't think minoxidil affects the skin negatively, please share that as well.


Thanks!

 

[DFWdesperado]

I had a bad experience with it over a short amount of time..but it seems like its a small percentage of people that get these sides, so I wouldn't let that discourage you from giving it a shot.. however many people (and docs) will tell you its not a real thing, but for me it was.

 

[PotatoHairLoss]

Been using for about 4 years now.

Hey guys,

just wondering if any of you reading this have experienced skin changes on minoxidil; such as fine lines, wrinkles, enlarged pores, color changes, undereye circles, and undereye puffiness.

I'm trying to get a good idea of what percentage of people on minoxidil experience this.

I'd appreciate it if you replied with what kinds of changes you have observed, how long after you began, etc. Was there any other factors that could have contributed - smoking, drinking, actual aging?

I'd appreciate any and all responses; and if you don't think minoxidil affects the skin negatively, please share that as well.


Thanks!

Been using minoxidil for about 4 years now, have really dark undereye circles and puffiness but probably due to my poor sleep cycle . I'm 23 this year haven't really felt any side effects .
Hope this helps

 

[Wolf Pack]

Not on Minoxidil but have read up on it. If taken orally at a high dose, it has been shown to inhibit collagen synthesis. Used topically, this has not been clinically shown to be the case, as you hint at, ageing is multi factorial. But there are reports from people of skin damage. Whether you're talking dermatitis, dark circles or wrinkles. Some people are allergic to Minoxidil or it's ingredients which isn't strictly skin damage. It's difficult to know what to make of it, I suspect it's not good for your skin but not necessarily bad.

The 2% and 5% formula will only go systemic to a small extent, far below the threshold. The unapproved higher % ones, no one knows.

 

[labellavita1985]

Wolf pack,

what do you think explains some people's reports of skin damage/changes, then, if topical minoxidil has not been shown to affect changes in the skin, on account of it not going systemic? Paranoia? Confirmation bias?

Do you think Loniten taken at low doses would cause these changes in the skin?

 

[Wolf Pack]

In some cases it could just be actual ageing, like if they complain of wrinkles after being on it for 10 years. That's likely to be genetics. Paranoia plays a role as does mental health in general. Could be a coincidence too, we usually lose hair at that 'getting older' range too. I've seen some credible cases imo. You can take vitamin c and collagen supplements as some of the users do. You're the same age as me so I understand your caution but ultimately it is approved and safe for use. Try it and see for yourself I think. In that respect the foam might be better. The liquid version may drip down at night onto your face.

Loniten is normally taken at a high dose for hypertension. At 5 mg - 10 mg which is the hair loss dose I'm not sure if these problems would manifest. Wouldn't risk it. It's not approved for hair loss and can affect your cardio-resp system. Hardly used for elevated bp now too, no one knows about skin sides except forum reports as its not prescribed enough.

 

[Iopu]

I started using anti ageing retinol serums at night in addition to my 15% minoxidil. Beforehand tho I haven't had any major issues with minoxidil and skin ageing. I've been using it for nearly 2 years.

 

[Captain Hook]

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2826267

This is the only study that provides evidence that minoxidil can age the skin via inhibiting lysyl hydroxylase, an important enzyme in the collagen synthesis pathway

Keep in mind it is only an in vitro study and we cannot draw definitive conclusions until a more appropriate in vivo study is performed.

My personal opinion: I don't use minoxidil so I may be a bit biased but to the best of my understanding this side effect is very uncommon however I value my youthful facial appearance very much and don't want to take even the slightest chance of damaging it as the anecdotal reports seem to indicate something is up. That being said it shouldn't discourage you from treatment, minoxidil is one of the only two medications that are FDA approved for Androgenetic Alopecia, it works and it's mostly free of side effects.

The reason I don't use it is I'm not particularly in a rush for any regrowth. I also know that minoxidil is also not an absolutely effective product, and what I mean by absolutely effective is it doesn't regrow hair for everyone and it doesn't provide good enough regrowth results in most people.

I know Rogaine's website states that its minoxidil foam regrows hair in 85% of guys, but there are no studies proving this, the only study that gives a percentage of guys who experience regrowth was this one, stating only 40% of patients saw regrowth:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25112173

40% is not a high enough chance to convince me to use minoxidil and the percentage of that 40% that actually experienced decent results is anyones guess. In any case, I doubt the addition of minoxidil will help me regain my 17 year old hairline.

The shed is also not particularly appealing, I know not everyone experiences it but again I've read anecdotal reports that stated that minoxidil made them worse off, causing them to shed and not experience regrowth. Obviously the credence of these reports is questionable but the point still stands, minoxidil is good and definitely should be part of your treatment regimen if you need to reap any benefit you can get, even if minoxidil is only contributing to maintenance but it's not absolutely necessary as it isn't something that treats the cause of Androgenetic Alopecia--follicular miniaturisation via DHT.

 

[Dench57]

I've never used minoxidil but I think there's realistically some truth in the claims about skin ageing. It may not have been proven in trials, I just think there's probably something to consider when we see hundreds of posts, month on month, year on year, of people complaining about wrinkles/bags/dark circles after using minoxidil. They can't all be placebo.

Having said that I imagine its a small percentage and I definitely wouldn't be put off minoxidil by these stories.

 

[Captain Hook]

I've never used minoxidil but I think there's realistically some truth in the claims about skin ageing. It may not have been proven in trials, I just think there's probably something to consider when we see hundreds of posts, month on month, year on year, of people complaining about wrinkles/bags/dark circles after using minoxidil. They can't all be placebo.

Having said that I imagine its a small percentage and I definitely wouldn't be put off minoxidil by these stories.

Yeah I agree with this, all these posts combined with an in vitro study that points to the fact that it might just be affecting collagen synthesis. I mean people don't just make up side effects, I understand some of the older people are just trying to blame their ageing on minoxidil but if you're 18 and using it and experiencing this as a side effect that just isn't normal. While it isn't a proven thing, placebo side effects tend to be ones like libido issues and things that we can psychologically trick ourselves into believing via self-fulfilling prophecy.

Again, it's a very small percentage and shouldn't deter you from using it in the least, it's cheap, effective and part of the 'big 3' for a reason.

 

[Wolf Pack]

Don't be fooled by the claims you read online. Use minoxidil and propecia if you can. If you don't, you're not allowed to complain.

She's a girl and already on quite a bit from what I understand. Like spironolactone, birth control pill e.t.c. It may be all that is needed, her hair looks good. Everyone should use the minimum medication required to have good hair. The kitchen sink approach is not always needed or safe - i'm talking generally.

Some guys with a slow and low Norwood pattern in their 30s I have seen go for repeated transplants instead.

I like to stay on finasteride as a precaution.

- - - Updated - - -

OP can read this and make her own mind up. Benjt is a respected member. I sit on the fence with all this. If someone specifically asks, it's fair to inform them. Sure, there are people who are experiencing these sides due to placebo for whatever reason. But I am not convinced each and every one of them is. A cosmetic derm also wrote once that it can in theory cause skin ageing, even hair loss clinics in the UK. No one out right denies it because there is some evidence.

With my Meditarrean routes ageing is very slow but we cannot rule out how Minoxidil effects people of varying ethnicities, genders and natural collagen synthesis. I even saw a trial to use Minoxidil to help a surgical scar heal better by reducing collagen build up.

http://www.hairlosstalk.com/interac...dark-circles)-and-alternative?highlight=benjt

 

[Captain Hook]

She's a girl and already on quite a bit from what I understand. Like spironolactone, birth control pill e.t.c. It may be all that is needed, her hair looks good. Everyone should use the minimum medication required to have good hair. The kitchen sink approach is not always needed or safe - i'm talking generally.

Some guys with a slow and low Norwood pattern in their 30s I have seen go for repeated transplants instead.

I like to stay on finasteride as a precaution.

- - - Updated - - -

OP can read this and make her own mind up. Benjt is a respected member. I sit on the fence with all this. If someone specifically asks, it's fair to inform them. Sure, there are people who are experiencing these sides due to placebo for whatever reason. But I am not convinced each and every one of them is. A cosmetic derm also wrote once that it can in theory cause skin ageing, even hair loss clinics in the UK. No one out right denies it because there is some evidence.

With my Meditarrean routes ageing is very slow but we cannot rule out how Minoxidil effects people of varying ethnicities, genders and natural collagen synthesis. I even saw a trial to use Minoxidil to help a surgical scar heal better by reducing collagen build up.

http://www.hairlosstalk.com/interac...dark-circles)-and-alternative?highlight=benjt

The bolded text is something I can resonate with. It's what I'm doing, seeing if I can stop my hair loss and maybe even achieve regrowth with the least amount of products and hey if that doesn't work, I'll reassess in a year and decide what I should add.

The big 3 is good but like I've said before since minoxidil doesn't treat the underlying cause of Androgenetic Alopecia, it's not absolutely necessary, it certainly helps though and I still recommend it nonetheless.

 

[Captain Hook]

When you get close to bald territory, you would use anything proven to maintain those last remaining hairs. Except finasteride, I couldn't use it because of gynecomastia.

That's why even though my hair was still thinning, I still used minoxidil, because it slowed it down.

Even now, thanks to minoxidil, I'm able to have at least some hair behind my hair transplant. Without it, I would be slick bald back there. You can afford not to use it now, but it won't always be the case.

Yeah that makes sense. Hence why I said I'll reassess after a year and if I'm unsatisfied with my progress or lack thereof even, I may very well add minoxidil to my regimen. I'm just saying I'm trying to see if I can get results with the least amount of treatment possible.

 

[Rudiger]

Using min for over 4 years and I think I look in my 30's, but I'm 28. It's very confusing, some people in their early 20s assume I'm around their age (despite the NW3) and other people think I could be even older than my 34 year old brother, that may just be the hairline.

I'm not sure, I definitely have creases on my forehead right along it, but baggy eyes and wrinkles around the eye area or mouth aren't a problem at all. When I first heard minoxidil may be an issue I instantly jumped to the conclusion this applies to me, but now I really doubt it.

OH and of course other factors, heavy drinking for years up until the last year or so ( but it was 3 or more times a week, with awful cheap cider stuff mainly or spirits), hard drug use for 3 or 4 years, smoking for a decade at least, and plenty of junk food, chips, takeaways etc..

Yeah I probably should have mentioned these factors first lololol I should just be glad I don't look 40. But with the recent drive towards self-improvement starting with my hairline, I've figured why not work on my other insecurity which is my possibly ageing face (as mentioned in this post it's confusing and debatable) so I've been using argan oil on my face, and doing facial yoga (this will make you feel ridiculous but just look at some of the older people who do it) and I might even get retin-a or something to fight ageing.

 

[xRedStaRx]

Hasn't affected me.

Then again, I use foam and never let it get on my face, or sleep with it wet.

 

[I.D WALKER]

It makes only good sense in general to keep basic safety practice in the forefront of all decision making scenarios. Obviously some decisions require more detail than others.

So it's right to speculate in advance how it/they might impact you.

To the current minoxidil. question for instance, long term user data overall confirms it is relatively safe for heart healthy users.

I would not overanalyze this alleged minoxidil. induced aesthetic anomaly. Rather you ought to focus on it's benefit potential properties. Anyway/anyhow Androgenetic Alopecia is progressive and taking zero treatment action (as we know) will imminently guarantee early signs of aging. Make a choice, be patient and if does not live up to your expectations then you can decide to live with it or leave it.

Even sugar has lumps in it. It usually boils down to one's unique threshold of tolerance. -)

GoodLuck

 

[Agustin Araujo]

My thoughts on Minoxidil and aging skin is that they are two completely separate unrelated things.

I've been using topical Minoxidil for a while and never had any side effects from it. I've even gone as far as experimenting with oral Minoxidil for a two month period before and I still didn't have any problem with it. Yes, Minoxidil has been proven to have an inhibiting effect on collagen synthesis, but it must be so mild it's nearly impossible to tell any difference. If Minoxidil could age skin, it would have been noted during the clinical trials for treatment of genetic hair loss.

 

[I.D WALKER]

Dear wishingitaway,
You have brought up a good example of how false claims become viral on the internet. I did my own internet research and found 2 studies that show that high doses of minoxidil applied to rat cells in culture (not actual live rats) decreases collagen production. I also found hundreds of people in chat rooms claiming that they have gotten wrinkles from minoxidil because it "degrades collagen". There is no study showing that minoxidil degrades collagen. (I smell a class action suit on the horizon.)
You mention that you have noticed these changes over the past couple of years. At the age of 38, these are probably normal changes. It's not sun exposure at the present time that causes aging, it's sun exposure you got as a child. Fair skinned people will age more quickly, and people with a genetic tendency towards dark circles and puffy eyes will be more likely to have these.
Don't stop your Rogaine based on internet rumors. There is at present no association between Rogaine and aging.his is a fair evaluation.

* This is a fair evaluation by Ms. Mary Buchness MD.
From Webmed.
http://forums.webmd.com/3/skin-and-beauty-exchange/forum/1467

 

[Notcoolanymore]

Topical minoxidil has never caused skin ageing in anyone. There has never been any evidence, no before and after pictures.

One guy was complaining that minoxidil made him have wrinkles from age 25 to 30. Well it's called getting old genius.

Every hair loss sufferer should use minoxidil. You can't afford not to use anything that has been proven to help hair loss.

I've been using minoxidil for 6 years now. If those claims were true, I should look like a wrinkly old man. Yet I have less wrinkles than most of my peers.

Don't be fooled by the claims you read online. Use minoxidil and propecia if you can. If you don't, you're not allowed to complain.

This is why I am a fan. Get's to the point.

I use minoxidil and the only sides I can report are dry scalp. I good shampoo can take care of this problem.

 

[F2005]

I tried minoxidil but it didn't do much of anything for me. I believe that since it is a very weak vasodilator, there is only so much that it can do. This may seem simplistic but I often wonder if a stronger vasodilator was used to treat hair loss, that maybe more significant regrowth results could be achieved.