Minoxidil topical and Hair Loss: What Users Say

• Jer...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 20, 2014

Minoxidil topical for Alopecia "I bought a 3-month supply and used it as directed. I got a buzz cut before I started applying Rogaine so all my new hair could grow with the old hair. After 6 months, my hair was fuller, thicker, and my bald spot was filled in with my own, new hair. I felt like a new man. Then, I stopped using Rogaine because I had new hair growth and was satisfied, and within a few months, all my new hair (and then some) fell out in the shower, combing, and brushing my hair, and regular daily activities. Now, I've decided to lose my hair with grace. Rogaine WORKS, but DON'T STOP USING IT OR YOUR HAIR WILL FALL OUT!"

• Bri...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 9, 2020

Minoxidil topical for Alopecia "I’m a woman. 26 years of age. I had very minor shedding, my doctor recommended me to try minoxidil. I did use it, and ever since I used it, all my hair fell out. It went from something very unnoticeable to me paying thousands of dollars trying to get my hair back. Minoxidil destroyed my hair. The doctor said to give it time, it will work. I gave it one year, and my hair is completely ruined."

• bal...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 25, 2020

Minoxidil topical for Alopecia "Was prescribed minoxidil in my early 20s, used it for a couple of years. Did not seem to do much. As soon as I stopped it, which was due to heart palpitations (side effects), I started shedding heavily. Rogaine made me lose my hair faster than I otherwise would have. I'd say never start on this, cause if you stop (and it's likely you will), your hair will become dependent on this drug and fall out rapidly. It's created a diffuse pattern of thinning, so bad the doctor says nothing can be done now."

• Anonymous
• July 28, 2019

Minoxidil topical for Alopecia "I had slight thinning of my hair, nothing serious. The dermatologist suggested I try Rogaine. Big mistake. The places I put Rogaine kept on getting worse and worse. It made the shedding worse and created bald spots. I knew to expect some extra shedding in the beginning but never to the extent it is now. It ruined my hair and I’m scared I’ll never get it back. Please only use if it is a last resort."

• Anonymous
• July 28, 2019

Minoxidil topical for Alopecia "I had slight thinning of my hair, nothing serious. The dermatologist suggested I try Rogaine. Big mistake. The places I put Rogaine kept on getting worse and worse. It made the shedding worse and created bald spots. I knew to expect some extra shedding in the beginning but never to the extent it is now. It ruined my hair and I’m scared I’ll never get it back. Please only use if it is a last resort."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 4, 2019

Minoxidil topical for Alopecia "I do not recommend this product to use for a thinning widow's peak. I reckon the stuff actually gave me alopecia, and I know this for a fact because all the areas I started using Rogaine on are now the spots where I have big bald patches. I sought Rogaine to help save my hair, and instead, it has destroyed it. I may never get my follicles back again."

• pdt...
• June 17, 2021

Minoxidil topical for Alopecia "Yes, Rogaine might make hair thinner faster, it might thin the hairline, it might addict otherwise healthy follicles. For me, it caused more hair loss in 7 months than in the last 20 years. I'm a 50-year-old man who had 80-90% of the hair I had in my 20s. I had very slight thinning/recession and used it as a preventative measure vs. seeking regrowth, big mistake. It shed my hairline and thickness through the sides of my scalp. Everywhere I applied it. I got the shed but no regrowth. I quit after 7 months of use and continued to shed for the next 12 months. I do believe Rogaine works for some (likely younger), but yes, it can also do damage if you are a non-responder to the medication. Do your research. It should not be sold over the counter if it has the potential to do the opposite of what it promises. The biggest lie out there: 'only the hair regrown by Rogaine will fall out after you stop using it.' It did a lot of damage to my existing hair, and I know now it will never recover."

• pdt...
• June 17, 2021

Minoxidil topical for Alopecia "Yes, Rogaine might make hair thinner faster, it might thin the hairline, it might addict otherwise healthy follicles. For me, it caused more hair loss in 7 months than in the last 20 years. I'm a 50-year-old man who had 80-90% of the hair I had in my 20s. I had very slight thinning/recession and used it as a preventative measure vs. seeking regrowth, big mistake. It shed my hairline and thickness through the sides of my scalp. Everywhere I applied it. I got the shed but no regrowth. I quit after 7 months of use and continued to shed for the next 12 months. I do believe Rogaine works for some (likely younger), but yes, it can also do damage if you are a non-responder to the medication. Do your research. It should not be sold over the counter if it has the potential to do the opposite of what it promises. The biggest lie out there: 'only the hair regrown by Rogaine will fall out after you stop using it.' It did a lot of damage to my existing hair, and I know now it will never recover."

• Car...
• March 7, 2021

Minoxidil topical for Alopecia "I used Rogaine religiously for 2.5 years. Huge mistake. My hair was falling out in the front, but it wasn’t severe. The area where I applied it somewhat stopped falling out, but in its place grew short, fuzzy hair that was significantly thinner than the rest of my hair. I stopped using Rogaine. All the new hair fell off, and now, after 2 years since using, I have little hairs that won’t grow any longer than two inches and are noticeably thinner than the areas where I didn’t apply it. It ruined my hair! I’m a 47 y/o woman."

• old...
• June 2, 2017

Minoxidil topical for Alopecia "It is effective - I noticed less hair in the shower. But I had to stop because it makes my head itch, and I end up losing hair because either I am scratching or brushing. I must be sensitive to one of the chemicals. I had the same problem with the 2% solution. I have to look for another way to keep my hair - I envy those who can tolerate. :("

• Jim...
• September 9, 2018

Minoxidil topical for Alopecia "I've been using Safeway signature 5% minoxidil now for about 2 months, and my hair is falling out more than ever since I started using this product. In addition, it cost me $45. So if you want to hold on to what remaining hair you may have, avoid this product at all expense."

• Vio...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 3, 2019

Minoxidil topical for Alopecia "Rogaine works better than nothing. It works pretty well for the first 9 months to 1 year, and then it really slows down. It seems that the Rogaine hair falls out if you forget to use it for a few days, and then starts again as soon as you start using it again. They also have these stickers on the women's liquid boxes advertising a $10 or $25 refund. Don't believe it! They never pay, and if you contact them about it, they say they will do it, but again never pay you the refund. Don't buy it based on the refund."

• pdt...
• October 28, 2020

For Alopecia "Minoxidil shouldn’t be sold without a prescription and a consult with a doctor. It definitely works for many, but there are endless horror stories of way more harm than good. I’m a 50-year-old male who had 85-90% of the hairline and density I had in my 20s and used it for prevention only with finasteride that I’ve used for years. Surely a product sold beside the J&J baby shampoo wouldn't hurt your hair and do the exact opposite of what it’s supposed to, right? All I got was shedding from month 3 to 7 until I ultimately quit. The catch-all statements like “it won’t make you lose more hair than you otherwise would have lost” or “the hair you lose after quitting is only the hair that minox regrew” are not true in my case. These assertions conveniently blame pattern baldness for the negative experiences. I’ve lost more hair in 7 months than I had in the last 20 years, and it’s been a devastating experience. If you have decent hair, do your research before you use it."

• And...
• January 22, 2017

For Alopecia "I came to know that I had alopecia past September 2015. I started applying minoxidil 5% as per doctor's suggestion. Initially, I started losing hair, which was thin. After 5 months, the thin hair was replaced by new hair, which was thick and strong. Currently, there is still small new hair starting to grow. I have used it for one year and 4 months. Superb results. Now new hair has been originating on my head."

• Vin...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 28, 2021

Minoxidil topical "Started using when I was 17 as a preventative measure when I noticed some slight shedding. My hairline was still very much intact. I used Rogaine for 4 years, and the quality of my hair greatly decreased and became wiry. It began thinning more where I placed the medication. After 4 years on Rogaine, I stopped using it at age 21. I am 25 now, and in the last 4 years, my hair loss has rapidly increased, specifically on the places on my head where I applied the Rogaine. My healthy hair became dependent on the medication and is now destroyed. I am so heartbroken and left looking much older than I actually am. To any young man thinking they should start this medication, please don’t. It has destroyed my appearance and self-esteem."

• Caj...
• January 9, 2016

Minoxidil topical for Alopecia "When I used Rogaine for the first time, I instantly started to see results within 2 weeks. My hair was filling in and strengthening, but when I reached my third bottle in the case, I noticed it smelled a little stronger than the others did and it dried and made my hair weaker, then slowly started to fall out."

• sim...
• September 6, 2016

For Alopecia "This is the second month with minoxidil 5%. I noticed hair shedding in the first month of use. However, I am now noticing hair growth on my head. Unluckily, hair is also growing on my cheeks, which I will not mind."

• Kna...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 28, 2017

For Alopecia "I have been using Minokem for now for about two months. 1 ml each in the morning and night. The first month till the end of the second month, shedding was worst. I was afraid of huge shedding. Now I bought supplements for the next two months. Today I noticed no hair fall on my hands all of a sudden while applying Minokem. I pray to God this will work and I will deal with alopecia. I am a 26-year-old male and hoping to get this hair problem cured permanently if only dermatologists thought about welfare rather than money."

• kay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 15, 2021

For Alopecia "Female, middle-aged. Some areas of my hair were slightly thin. My dermatologist suggested minoxidil. After doing my research about the chemical ingredients, I declined. Years later, I decided to try it. It burned my scalp, causing a very dry, itchy, flaky scalp with scabs. The areas around my hairline where I used it were much darker than the rest of my skin. I stopped using it, then went back to it later. What a nightmare that was, as all the areas I used it became bald. I had to wear a wig... which I hate. A few years later, my hair grew back, but not as healthy as it previously was. I saw the women's minoxidil foam now available over the counter and decided to try it again. OMG, same disaster, with major hair loss in the areas where I used it. NEVER AGAIN!!! Now wearing a wig again. Please explain, somebody!!!!"

• Tri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 21, 2020

"Female over 50 growing out thin hair, tried it for one month. Awful! Made my scalp painful to even brush my hair, and I lost so much hair as it caused it to fall out. I have never, ever had hair fall out like I have using this product, hair doesn't even look the same. Never again!"

• Ang...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 31, 2022

For Alopecia "I had some hair loss happen from wrong meds, and my hair was usually thick, voluminous, and wavy. Even after the initial decrease of hair, I still had wavy hair and not too showy receding white lines. Many doctors advised using minoxidil/Rogaine. I kept feeling scared to use it and took my time. However, after 10 really expensive doctors, I thought I'd give it a try. I so wish I had listened to that gut feeling of being doubtful and scared. It completely ruined my hair. It kept falling all the time I used it, and no growth, and even after several years of stopping, all the hair that fell hasn't grown back yet. All the places I used it on have wider, extremely visible bald lines or spots. Shows you how much many doctors really care for your well-being. It is all about profit. I urge you not to use it. Use supplements, do proper exercise, but don't use it, please."

• Str...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 8, 2018

For Alopecia "I had a small amount of thinning. Thought this could help me. Used this for a month. Most of my hair fell out. The rest broke off and turned to straw. I now wear hats. Couldn't be unhappier."

• Tri...
• August 3, 2020

For Alopecia "I am using minoxidil since 6 weeks, with multivitamin tablets, still, I am experiencing hair fall."

• Sur...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 7, 2016

For Alopecia "I have been using it for one month but have not found any results, moreover, hair fall is double."

• She...
• November 15, 2016

For Alopecia "I'm using this for the past 1 month and not even a single hair has grown, instead, I lost a few of the hairs when I am applying it. Hoping for the best in the next month also."