As an expert trichology prescriber who has had the privilege of helping hundreds of patients through their hair loss journey, I’ve often seen the anxiety that arises when patients first start using Minoxidil or switch to a new formulation.
One of the most common concerns is the phenomenon known as "Minoxidil shed." It sounds alarming, but rest assured, it’s not only normal but a positive sign that the treatment is working. Let’s explore what Minoxidil shed is, why it happens, and how you can navigate this period with confidence and optimal health.
What Is Minoxidil Shed?
When you first start using Minoxidil, particularly in the form of a topical complex that I often prescribe, you may experience an increase in hair shedding between 6 to 8 weeks of usage. This shedding can be disconcerting, especially when you're using a product to stop hair loss, not make it worse. However, this shed is part of the normal hair cycle and is a good indicator that you are responding to Minoxidil treatment.
Why Does Minoxidil Cause Shedding?
Minoxidil works by stimulating hair follicles to enter the anagen (growth) phase. Hair goes through several phases in its lifecycle: anagen (growth), catagen (transitional), telogen (resting), and exogen (shedding). Minoxidil accelerates the transition from the telogen (resting) phase, where the hair follicle lies dormant, to the anagen phase.
When this happens, older, thinner hairs that were already near the end of their lifecycle fall out, making room for stronger, thicker hairs to grow. This shedding can seem like hair loss is getting worse, but it’s actually a sign that your follicles are preparing to produce new, healthier hair.
Evidence Behind Minoxidil Shedding
Multiple clinical studies have confirmed the process of Minoxidil shedding. According to a study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (Olsen et al., 2002), Minoxidil users experienced increased shedding during the initial stages of treatment, but this was followed by improved hair density and growth in the long term. The shedding period typically resolves by weeks 10-12, after which patients see new hair growth.
It’s important to note that shedding doesn’t occur in everyone. However, if it does, it means that your hair follicles are reacting to the treatment—an essential first step towards regrowth.
My Personal Experience and Patient Feedback
In my own practice, I’ve witnessed this process time and again. Patients who start using my personalised hair loss serums, which contain Minoxidil as part of the formulation, often report shedding at around the 6-8 week mark. While this can cause some worry, I always reassure them that this is a positive outcome.
What I find interesting is that patients who experience shedding early on often respond better in the long run, showing significant improvements in hair density by week 12-16. These results are based on feedback from hundreds of consultations and personal follow-ups, and they align with what we understand from clinical studies.
Should You Panic?
Absolutely not. As counterintuitive as it may seem, shedding is a good thing. If you’re shedding, it means that your follicles are responding to the treatment, and that’s a positive sign. Remember that this phase is temporary, and in most cases, the shedding subsides by weeks 10-12.
How to Minimise the Shedding
While it’s impossible to entirely avoid shedding when starting or switching Minoxidil formulations, there are ways to keep it to a minimum by optimising your overall health and wellbeing.
Diet: Ensure that you are consuming a balanced diet rich in essential vitamins and minerals like biotin, zinc, and iron. These nutrients play a crucial role in hair health.
Sleep: Quality sleep is essential for cellular regeneration, including the cells in your hair follicles.
Stress Management: High levels of stress can exacerbate hair loss. Consider mindfulness, meditation, or other stress-relieving activities to keep your body and mind in balance.
Avoid Harsh Hair Treatments: During the shedding phase, try to avoid over-styling, excessive heat, or chemical treatments that could stress your hair further.
Minoxidil Shedding Timeline
Instead of a typical conclusion, I find that it’s more helpful to provide a timeline of what you can expect when starting Minoxidil or switching to a new formulation. This timeline is based on both clinical data and my extensive experience as a trichology prescriber.
Week | Phase | What to Expect |
1-2 | Introduction Phase | You begin applying the Minoxidil complex. No visible changes yet, as the product is just starting to penetrate the scalp. |
6-8 | Shedding Phase | You may notice an increase in hair shedding. This is the ‘Minoxidil shed’ as older, weaker hairs are pushed out. |
10-12 | Shedding Settles | Shedding should subside by this point, and you may notice that your hair is starting to feel fuller at the roots. |
12-16 | Regrowth Begins | New hair growth becomes noticeable, with thicker, stronger strands replacing the ones that were shed. |
16-24 | Visible Improvements | You should see a marked improvement in hair density, thickness, and texture. Hair appears healthier and fuller overall. |
Ongoing | Maintenance Phase | Continued use of Minoxidil will maintain the hair growth you’ve achieved. The key is consistency, as stopping could reverse gains. |
When to See Positive Outcomes
For most people, the positive results from Minoxidil become visible around weeks 12-16. During this period, you may notice:
Increased Hair Density: Hair will appear thicker, and you’ll likely see more hairs in the growth phase at any given time.
Stronger Hair: The new hairs that grow back tend to be stronger and healthier than the ones that were shed.
Improved Texture: Hair texture also improves, feeling softer and looking shinier as the follicles become more active and healthy.
Final Thoughts
Minoxidil shed is a normal and expected part of the hair regrowth process. It may feel unsettling at first, but trust that it’s a positive sign. From my experience as a trichology prescriber, those who experience shedding are usually strong responders to treatment and see the best long-term outcomes.
If you’re starting Minoxidil or switching to a new formulation, give your body time to adjust, keep your overall health in check, and stay consistent with the treatment. By following the timeline outlined above, you can expect to see real results in the coming months.
Keep in mind that everyone’s hair journey is different. If you ever feel uncertain or need guidance, don’t hesitate to reach out for a consultation. With the right approach and personalised care, you can achieve the hair growth you’ve been hoping for.
References
Olsen, E.A., Whiting, D., Bergfeld, W., Hordinsky, M., Lucky, A.W., Shapiro, J., ... & Washenik, K. (2002). A multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial of a novel formulation of 5% minoxidil topical foam versus 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.2002.127500
Messenger, A.G., Rundegren, J. (2004). Minoxidil: mechanisms of action on hair growth. British Journal of Dermatology, 150(2), 186-194. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2133.2004.05785.x
Blume-Peytavi, U., Hillmann, K., Dietz, E., Canfield, D., Garcia Bartels, N. (2011). A randomized controlled trial of 5% topical minoxidil versus placebo in women with androgenetic alopecia. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 65(6), 1126-1134. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2010.12.034
Rossi, A., Cantisani, C., Scarnò, M., Trucchia, A., Fortuna, M.C., & Calvieri, S. (2012). Minoxidil use in dermatology, side effects and recent patents. Recent Patents on Inflammation & Allergy Drug Discovery, 6(2), 130-136. https://doi.org/10.2174/187221312800166821
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