Do I have to use minoxidil forever?

Author: Forest Bernhard  |  Last update: Thursday, October 23, 2025

Minoxidil is considered safe for long-term use; there are few to no withdrawal effects, nor long-term side effects (aside from in very rare cases). Stopping minoxidil should not cause you any further issues aside from the return of your hair loss.

Do I have to use minoxidil permanently?

Minoxidil helps stimulate the growth of hair and encourages follicular regeneration. Even though it is 60% effective, but still, the results are not permanent. Therefore, the individual must continue its usage till the regrowth of hair [2].

Can you ever stop using minoxidil?

The only way to stop Minoxidil treatment without losing hair is to replace the treatment with another effective hair loss solution. For women, possible solutions include: Caffeine shampoo.

Is minoxidil a lifetime commitment?

Minoxidil, like all hair loss treatments, must be continued indefinitely in order to maintain its benefits. Stopping minoxidil may result in the loss of hairs as soon as several weeks. This is also true for finasteride, light based treatments, and PRP.

What happens if you don't use minoxidil regularly?

When you stop using minoxidil, you might go through a shedding phase where you lose some of the hair you grew while receiving treatment. This is due to the fact that minoxidil has the ability to shorten the telogen (resting) phase of the hair cycle, causing hair to enter the shedding phase earlier than usual.

Minoxidil FAQs Answered by a Dermatologist

Is it better to avoid minoxidil?

Minoxidil should not be used in patients with a known history of hypersensitivity to the drug or its constituents, including propylene glycol. The utilization of minoxidil is not recommended for pregnant and breastfeeding women.

Does hair fall out after minoxidil?

Most men don't start seeing results for the first 4-6 months of treatment. In fact, some guys even see their hair fall out in even larger quantities in the first few months of their treatment. This increased hair loss is referred to as minoxidil shedding, and it's an infamous term among men starting minoxidil.

Will I become dependent on minoxidil?

Does hair become dependent on Minoxidil? Your hair itself will not become dependent on minoxidil, but the growth observed during treatment is dependent on Minoxidil usage. Minoxidil works to keep hair in the anagen, or growth stage, to decrease hair loss and promote hair retention and growth.

Is minoxidil worth it long term?

Sustained Hair Growth: One of the main advantages of using Minoxidil over an extended period is that it helps maintain hair growth. For people with chronic hair loss conditions like androgenetic alopecia, long-term use can prevent further hair thinning while promoting regrowth.

Is rosemary oil better than minoxidil?

Rosemary oil is preferred by people who prefer a natural approach and have modest hair thinning, but minoxidil is preferred by users looking for a more potent, clinically confirmed therapy for advanced hair loss. Many consumers find success with one product over another, and some even combine them to maximize benefits.

Will my beard fall out if I stop using minoxidil?

While this is possible, many people find that their beard hair loss resumes a few weeks or months after discontinuing Minoxidil. So it's generally recommended that you continue using Minoxidil to prevent future hair loss.

Can I skip minoxidil for a day?

Yes. Don't worry if you accidentally skip one day of application; it probably won't have a dramatic effect on your results. However, skipping minoxidil application regularly is likely to mean worse results, so it's best to avoid this where possible.

Does minoxidil cause weight gain?

While you are taking minoxidil, weigh yourself every day. A weight gain of 2 to 3 pounds (about 1 kg) in an adult is normal and should be lost with continued treatment.

Can you ever get off minoxidil?

Since Minoxidil doesn't address the root cause of hair loss, stopping its use could gradually reverse the positive effects you've experienced. After discontinuing minoxidil, your natural hair growth cycle resumes.

Can minoxidil hair become permanent?

If hair growth is going to occur with the use of minoxidil, it usually occurs after the medicine has been used for several months and lasts only as long as the medicine continues to be used. Hair loss will begin again within a few months after minoxidil treatment is stopped.

Are there any long-term side effects of minoxidil?

Minoxidil can cause pericardial effusion, occasionally progressing to tamponade, and angina pectoris may be exacerbated. Minoxidil should be reserved for hypertensive patients who do not respond adequately to maximum therapeutic doses of a diuretic and two other antihypertensive agents.

Has anyone used minoxidil for 20 years?

Professor Chu knows of patients who have used minoxidil for 15–20 years with continuing good results: “I see patients who started using it many years ago when they noticed slight thinning, and they still have a good head of hair.

Does minoxidil affect testosterone?

Does Minoxidil increase testosterone? No – there is absolutely no evidence to suggest this. While studies have looked into the possible effect of the hair loss treatment on your hormones, no definitive conclusion has been reached. In fact, Minoxidil may well have the opposite effect.

Does minoxidil thicken hair?

The FDA has approved minoxidil (Rogaine), available over the counter, as a hair loss treatment for both men and women. It helps thicken hair follicles and promotes hair lengthening. It comes in a liquid or foam that's applied to the scalp. "If you have a lot of hair, it may be easier to apply the liquid form.

Do I have to use minoxidil all my life?

Minoxidil is considered safe for long-term use; there are few to no withdrawal effects, nor long-term side effects (aside from in very rare cases). Stopping minoxidil should not cause you any further issues aside from the return of your hair loss.

How bad is minoxidil shedding?

The amount of hair shedding may vary from person to person. Some individuals might experience only minimal shedding when starting minoxidil or their hair loss treatment, while others might notice more significant excess shedding. It's essential to understand that this variation is normal and part of the process.

When is it too late for minoxidil?

It's really never too late to try using Minoxidil properly to help manage your hair loss situation. Even people who have experienced significant balding tend to find consistent Minoxidil use at minimum helps slow or pause further hair thinning. Those in the early stages may see regrowth.

What is better than minoxidil?

According to experts at Harvard University, finasteride is more effective than minoxidil in treating hair loss. Up to two-thirds of people who use finasteride for male pattern baldness report good results in terms of new hair growth. Study results also suggest that finasteride is better than minoxidil.

How to tell if minoxidil is working?

What Results to Expect From Using Minoxidil Hair Growth
  1. Initial Shedding: This is shocking for a lot of people. ...
  2. Early Growth (3-6 Months): Most users begin to see initial signs of regrowth within this period. ...
  3. Visible Growth (6-12 Months): Continued use leads to more noticeable improvements.

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