What to do if minoxidil doesn't work?

Author: Brooke Kassulke  |  Last update: Friday, August 8, 2025

If you've been using minoxidil for 2-4 months with no success, then you may want to consult a doctor to find out why that might be. There could be an underlying reason why it hasn't been effective, so it's best to get professional medical advice if it does not work for you after a few months of continuous use.

Why is my hair not growing even after using minoxidil?

Hair loss may continue for 2 weeks after you start using minoxidil. Tell your doctor if your hair loss continues after 2 weeks. Also, tell your doctor if your hair growth does not increase after using minoxidil for 4 months.

Why doesn't minoxidil work for everyone?

If Minoxidil isn't working for you, it may be because you do not have enough of the SULT1A1 enzyme needed for Minoxidil to be an effective treatment.

Does anything work better than minoxidil?

For men experiencing male pattern hair loss, finasteride is widely considered to be more effective than minoxidil [5-6]. However, a combination of both hair loss treatments is often more effective than one or the other [7-9]. Finasteride can also work for women with female pattern hair loss [10].

How do I tell if I'm a non-responder to minoxidil?

The best way to determine the cause of your lack of results is by taking the Minoxidil Response Test. With this simple hair sample test, you can find out if you have enough SULT1A1 activity to make Minoxidil successful.

WHAT DO YOU DO IF MINOXIDIL DOES NOT WORK FOR YOU?

What if I don't think minoxidil is working?

If you've been using minoxidil for 2-4 months with no success, then you may want to consult a doctor to find out why that might be. There could be an underlying reason why it hasn't been effective, so it's best to get professional medical advice if it does not work for you after a few months of continuous use.

Is there a better alternative to minoxidil?

Oral finasteride is one of the most popular alternatives to minoxidil for male pattern baldness. Known by the brand-name Propecia, finasteride has DHT blocker effects and is FDA-approved as an effective medication to stop hair loss in men.

How can I improve my minoxidil effectiveness?

Use the same concentration of minoxidil, but use more of it... or use it more often. For some patients, using more minoxidil allows more to get into the scalp. This is especially true for males using minoxidil and may be true for some women as well.

Is Rogaine stronger than minoxidil?

Minoxidil has the same active ingredient as Rogaine, so it will work in the same way. However, generic versions are often significantly cheaper than brand-name products. Propecia, or finasteride, is an oral prescription medication for hair loss.

How often does minoxidil not work?

In evaluating minoxidil's effectiveness in stimulating hair regrowth, the investigators found the 5% solution very effective in 15.9% of patients, effective in 47.8%, moderately effective in 20.6%, and ineffective in 15.7%.

Can minoxidil regrow crown hair?

Yes, you can fix a thinning crown! For smaller cases of crown thinning, you can combat this with Finasteride and Minoxidil. However, for larger cases of male pattern hair loss, this may only be fixed by a more drastic treatment such as PRP or hair transplants.

What hair loss treatment really works?

Minoxidil (Rogaine).

Products with minoxidil help many people regrow their hair or slow the rate of hair loss or both. It'll take at least six months of treatment to prevent further hair loss and to start hair regrowth. It may take a few more months to tell whether the treatment is working for you.

When should I give up on minoxidil?

There are a few reasons you might consider stopping using Minoxidil: You're not seeing the hair growth results you hoped for. You have significant side effects. It's expensive to continue using Minoxidil every day.

How to fix stunted hair growth?

Hair Stopped Growing? What to do When Hair Growth is Stunted. (6 Easy Tips)
  1. Cleanse To Keep your Scalp Healthy. Having a healthy scalp is one of the most important steps in growing your natural hair. ...
  2. Scalp Massages. ...
  3. Avoid “Over-Manipulating” your Hair. ...
  4. Little to No Heat. ...
  5. Deep Conditioner is Your New BFF. ...
  6. Trim those Dead Ends.

How to tell if minoxidil is working?

Early stages of treatment

Within 2-4 months, hair shedding starts to decrease as the medication begins working to grow new hair. Some people may also experience minor scalp irritation like flaking, redness or itching when beginning Minoxidil treatment. Using the foam version instead of the liquid solution can help.

Is Costco minoxidil as good as Rogaine?

No, it does not significantly matter which minoxidil brand you use in terms of the effectiveness of the active ingredient. minoxidil is a generic medication, meaning that the active ingredient, minoxidil itself, remains the same across all brands.

Is foam or drops minoxidil better?

Minoxidil foam can be less irritating compared to the liquid and may be easier to apply. The minoxidil liquid solution may be better for more targeted application through long or thick hair.

How often should you wash your hair when using minoxidil?

Also, could you suggest which type of shampoo would be best to use with this treatment? If you are using minoxidil once a day daily, it is recommended to shampoo your hair at least 2-3 times a week.

How to enhance minoxidil absorption?

"Dermarolling/microneedling the scalp before applying minoxidil creates microtrauma that activates the body's natural healing pathways, increases blood flow, and creates microchannels in the skin that may enhance the absorption of minoxidil or other topically applied products," says Dr.

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.

Is minoxidil 2% or 5% better?

2% minoxidil is recommended for people with minor hair loss or who are sensitive to the medication. It has a decreased chance of negative effects and is frequently advised for women due to its milder nature. 5% minoxidil improves outcomes for more severe hair loss and may work faster or more efficiently.

Which oil works like minoxidil?

Research from the SKINMed Journal of Dermatology for the Clinician showed that rosemary oil was as effective as minoxidil in boosting hair growth among participants with androgenic alopecia.

Does anything work as well as minoxidil?

For example, one study found that acupuncture showed greater hair regrowth than Minoxidil in patients suffering from hair loss due to the increased circulation caused by the treatment [9]. Another study found that applying rosemary oil was 'not inferior' to taking 2% Minoxidil [10].

How to increase blood circulation in scalp?

What Can You Do to Increase Blood Circulation To Your Scalp?
  1. Consume a Balanced Diet. ...
  2. Exercise Daily to Increase Blood Flow. ...
  3. Massaging Scalp Can Improve Blood Circulation. ...
  4. Explore the Inversion Method. ...
  5. Stay Away From Stress. ...
  6. Brush Your Hair to Improve Blood Flow. ...
  7. Home Remedies to Enhance Blood Circulation.

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