Do minoxidil hairs become terminal?

Author: Lexie Keeling  |  Last update: Sunday, June 29, 2025

Does Minoxidil transition vellus hairs into terminal hairs? While many bloggers say yes, there are no medical studies supporting this claim. We do know that it makes non-terminal hairs appear darker and stronger which could lead some to believe they now have terminal hairs.

Are minoxidil hair gains 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.

Will unwanted hair from minoxidil go away?

Furthermore, individuals of Mediterranean, Hispanic, and Middle Eastern ethnicity more often have facial hair. In the cases reported in the literature, hypertrichosis usually appears 2 to 3 months after starting treatment and disappears 1 to 5 months after discontinuation.

Do hair follicles 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.

Do vellus hairs always turn terminal?

Vellus hair follicles are no different from other hair follicles. In fact, many hair follicles transition from vellus to terminal, and sometimes back again. During puberty, androgens—hormones such as testosterone—cause some vellus hairs to transition to terminal hairs.

Vellus Hair to Terminal Hair - How to Speed It Up!

Can vellus hairs become terminal with minoxidil?

Systemic minoxidil appears to convert vellus hair to terminal hair and also darkens the colour of the hair. As treatment is continued,however, some of the hypertrichosis may disappear.

Should you shave peach fuzz?

As with any body hair, removal is a personal choice. However, there can be benefits to getting rid of your peach fuzz, for example: Cosmetic application – removing the fine hair on your face could create a smoother canvas for makeup application.

Does minoxidil shed terminal hair?

As in men, minoxidil can temporarily increase hair shedding in women in the initial weeks of treatment. But there's little chance of this developing into long-term or permanent hair loss.

Can minoxidil regrow dead follicles?

- if they wish to pursue non-surgical hair loss treatment options, such as minoxidil. Once the follicle have been destroyed and baldness has set in - signified by the smooth, shiny appearance of the scalp - these are no longer capable of producing hair growth, even with stimulation.

Does minoxidil recede your hairline?

Yes, minoxidil is an effective treatment for a receding hairline. While most testing of minoxidil involves hair loss near the crown, it can also be used to treat a receding hairline. Minoxidil can stimulate hair follicles, improving hair density, normal hair growth, and a thicker appearance.

What are the downsides of minoxidil?

Minoxidil has other effects that could be bothersome for some patients. These include increased hair growth, weight gain, fast heartbeat, and chest pain. Before you take this medicine, be sure that you have discussed the use of it with your doctor.

Will I lose existing hair if I stop minoxidil?

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.

Does minoxidil shed old hair?

Minoxidil hair shedding isn't usually something you need to worry about. Also known as Minoxidil dread shed, this temporary side effect is likely to be produced by the impact of the medication on the hair growth cycle.

Is it OK to use minoxidil forever?

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.

Has anyone kept their hair after stopping minoxidil?

Here's the crucial fact you need to know: When you stop using minoxidil, your hair loss will typically resume within 3-6 months. Studies show that some people may even lose more hair than they initially gained. However, there are ways to minimise this loss, which we'll explore in detail throughout this article.

How bald is too bald for minoxidil?

Minoxidil will only work if there are hairs roots present in your scalp. On a bald area, this medication will be of no use. If there are no roots on the scalp or there is complete baldness, then minoxidil will not be able to convert the hairs into the telogen phase.

How to know if hair follicles are alive?

Hair follicles are below the skin, so you cannot see them when looking at your scalp. When they are healthy, you can see the hair they produce. However, when they are no longer able to produce hair, there is nothing left to see above the scalp.

How to wake up dormant hair follicles?

Several factors can contribute to reviving dormant hair follicles, including:
  1. Scalp massage.
  2. Essential oils.
  3. Supplements and vitamins.
  4. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT)
  5. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy.
  6. Dietary changes.
  7. Stress management.

How long is minoxidil dread shed?

Dread shed typically begins 2 to 4 weeks after treatment initiation and lasts anywhere from 3 to 6 weeks.

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.

Why does minoxidil cause weight gain?

It may cause weight gain due to water retention in the body.

Can peach fuzz grow back thicker?

No — shaving hair doesn't change its thickness, color or rate of growth. Shaving facial or body hair gives the hair a blunt tip. The tip might feel coarse or "stubbly" for a time as it grows out. During this phase, the hair might be more noticeable and perhaps appear darker or thicker.

How to stop upper lip hair growth permanently?

I wax my upper lip but it's annoying to have to keep doing it. The only way to permanently eliminate unwanted hair is a process called electrolysis. Electrolysis is performed by inserting a tiny needle into the hair follicle and using an electric current to kill the hair root.

Do dermatologists recommend face shaving?

How often should one shave their face at home? AHD Team: At Alamo Heights Dermatology, we don't advise women to shave their face with a razor. If they're interested in hair removal that is not laser or Dermaplaning, we would suggest one of the wands you can find over the counter for more effective and safe results.

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