Minoxidil Mini-Series: Part 5 – Benefits, Limitations, and Side Effects

This post will conclude the Avacor® Hair Regrowth Blog's five part “mini-series” on minoxidil, the first FDA-approved treatment for hair loss. Earlier episodes of the mini-series covered the early history of minoxidil, clinical trials showing its efficacy in treating androgenetic alopecia, and its approval by the FDA as a hair regrowth treatment. In this final segment we will highlight the benefits, limitations, and side effects associated with minoxidil.

Benefits of Minoxidil Treatment

Minoxidil products, such as Avacor Physicians Formulation® and Rogaine®, have helped thousands of men and women stop their hair loss and begin regrowing hair.

Several clinical trials have proven that minoxidil is able to prevent hair loss and regrow hair, with investigators observing hair growth in anywhere from 30-60% of patients (for details see our previous post on clinical trials). These studies also suggest that even if patients do not achieve noticeable hair regrowth with minoxidil treatment, they can at least stop losing hair and maintain their baseline hair count.

Minoxidil is the only hair regrowth medication that has been approved by the FDA for both men and women, unlike finasteride (Propecia®) which is only approved for use by men.

One of the other benefits of minoxidil is that it has not been associated with the sexual side effects experienced by some patients taking finasteride (Propecia®), such as decreased arousal and erectile dysfunction.1 For a description of the side effects that have been associated with minoxidil, keep reading for the section below on “Reported Side Effects of Minoxidil.”

Minoxidil’s Limitations

There is no magic cure for hair loss, so it is important to begin any hair regrowth regimen with accurate information and reasonable expectations. Minoxidil will not work for everyone; its effectiveness is limited to certain types of hair loss and the degree of hair regrowth experienced by each person will differ. In addition, minoxidil requires a consistent, diligent program of use to achieve maximum results.

Only Works for Certain Types of Hair Loss

The only types of hair loss for which minoxidil has been approved by the FDA are male and female androgenetic alopecia. Some studies have reported positive results for a small number of patients with alopecia areata, but the benefits have not been consistent enough to recommend widespread use of minoxidil for this condition.

Men: Minoxidil 5% topical solution, (such as Avacor Physicians Formulation® for Men) is only recommended for men with male pattern hair loss, and is not intended for treating frontal baldness or a receding hairline. Despite a conference presentation by the lead investigator of several early minoxidil trials suggesting that it is also effective in the frontal hairline area,2 the supporting data do not appear to have been published in any peer-reviewed journals or evaluated by the FDA. Patients using minoxidil should not expect to regrow hair in any areas other than the top of the scalp.

Women: Minoxidil 2% topical solution, (such as Avacor Physicians Formulation® for Women) is only recommended for women with female pattern hair loss (general thinning of hair on the top of the scalp). Minoxidil products are not indicated for hair loss that is sudden, patchy, or associated with stress or childbirth.

Minoxidil may not work for patients whose hair loss is too advanced. A general visual guide that shows the degrees of thinning hair for which minoxidil is most effective can be found on Avacor's product packaging.

Needs to be Used Consistently

In order to achieve the best possible results with minoxidil, it is essential to apply the topical solution regularly and consistently. The best way to do this is to commit to making it part of your daily routine, even if it's not your favorite part of the day. An analogy for this would be brushing your teeth: while no one particularly enjoys the act of brushing their teeth (at least that we are aware of), most people find the benefits are worth the little bit of time each day.

Like all good things, regrowing hair takes time. You may need to use minoxidil for at least 4 months before you see results, although you may begin to notice the effects as early as 2 months.

Continued use is necessary to prevent hair loss from progressing. One of the longest studies of minoxidil for male pattern hair loss (5 years) found that patients who continued to apply minoxidil twice per day were able to maintain nonvellus hair regrowth well beyond their baseline hair counts.3 Patients who stop using minoxidil will likely not maintain hair that has regrown during the course of treatment and will begin losing hair again.

Reported Side Effects of Minoxidil

More than 20 years after minoxidil was first approved for treating hair loss, the list of commonly reported side effects remains fairly limited. However, there are some rare side effects that should be watched for and taken very seriously.

Some of the most common side effects are:
• Localized scalp reactions or skin irritation (i.e., dryness, itching, redness and mild burning)
• GI discomforts (e.g., mild heartburn, nausea, constipation and diarrhea)
• Hair growth in other body areas (i.e., face, arms, back)

If you experience any of the following rare side effects, you should discontinue use immediately and consult your physician:
• Dizziness, light headedness, faintness, headaches
• Sudden unexplained weight gain, water retention
• Rapid heart beat or chest tightness/discomfort
• Swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue

In addition to these side effects, some people have experienced changes in hair color and/or texture.

If you have heart disease you should talk to your doctor before using minoxidil. Minoxidil may be harmful if used when pregnant or breast-feeding, should not be used by children under the age of 18, and should be kept out of reach of children at all times.

Conclusion

Thanks again for checking out the “Minoxidil Mini-Series” here on the Avacor Hair Regrowth Blog. We hope the information we have collected here has given you a better understanding of the history, benefits, and limitations of minoxidil and that it will help you choose the best course of action for regrowing your hair.

If you have any questions or would like to see more information on a particular topic, please leave a comment below. We'd love to hear from you!

_________________________

1. Irwig MS, Kolukula S. Persistent sexual side effects of finasteride for male pattern hair loss. J Sex Med. 2011 Jun;8(6):1747-53. Link to Pubmed

2. Olsen EA, Whiting DA, Miller JJ. Increased Frontal Scalp Coverage and Frontal Hair Regrowth with 5% and 2% Minoxidil Solution. Presented at the American Academy of Dermatology 61st Annual Meeting, March 2003.

3. Olsen EA, Weiner MS, Amara IA, DeLong ER. Five-year follow-up of men with androgenetic alopecia treated with topical minoxidil. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1990 Apr;22(4):643-6. Link to Pubmed