What to use if minoxidil doesn't work?

Author: Dr. Zakary Bins DVM  |  Last update: Monday, September 8, 2025

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. It is also approved for an enlarged prostate under the brand-name Proscar.

What to do if minoxidil does not work?

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 option than minoxidil?

Current natural minoxidil alternatives or enhancers include active ingredients such as pumpkin seed extract and retinol, as well as essential oils such as rosemary oil and camellia tea oil.

Why is my hair still thinning on minoxidil?

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.

How to boost minoxidil results?

Top Ten Ways to Improve the Absorption of Minoxidil for Optimal Hair Growth Gains and Personalised Solutions
  1. Exfoliate the Scalp Regularly. ...
  2. Apply Minoxidil to a Dry Scalp. ...
  3. Use a Dermaroller. ...
  4. Massage the Scalp After Application. ...
  5. Use a Topical Penetration Enhancer. ...
  6. Avoid Using Hair Products Before Application.

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

What helps minoxidil work better?

Pair minoxidil with retinol

And this is done by coming into contact with an enzyme called sulfotransferase on the scalp — but if levels of the enzyme are low, then minoxidil will not be effective. Applying tretinoin can enhance this conversion and improve minoxidil absorption.

What can I pair with minoxidil?

Castor oil and coconut oil have positive effects on hair growth. When these oils are used in combination with minoxidil, they are known to work very well in improving the health of your hair. So, minoxidil with castor oil, minoxidil with coconut oil, or the three when used together, can maximize hair growth.

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.

Why is my hair still falling out on finasteride and minoxidil?

Why Am I Still Losing Hair (Shedding) After 6 Months on Minoxidil And Finasteride? A: It is a bit long to still see shedding, but from my experience, either the medications are working (and you are still in the shedding phase) or you are not responding to them.

Which oil works like minoxidil?

Research supports both rosemary oil and minoxidil as treatments for hair loss, but we have far more long-term data on the efficacy and safety of minoxidil.

What is more powerful than minoxidil?

Research shows that while 5mg of finasteride is more effective than 5mg of oral minoxidil, the latter can be more effective than an oral dose of 1mg finasteride [6]. Most finasteride patients are prescribed 1mg a day.

Does Nutrafol really work?

Studies show that Nutrafol may improve hair growth, thickness, and shedding over time, but consistency is key - it typically takes at least three to six months to see results.

How can I increase my minoxidil response?

The use of microneedling in combination with topical minoxidil in the treatment of AGA demonstrated superior regrowth compared to minoxidil monotherapy. In this pilot study, following 3 weekly sessions of microneedling, 66% of subjects presented an increased follicular sulfotransferase enzymatic activity.

Do any hair regrowth products actually work?

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 does minoxidil become ineffective?

Sometimes Minoxidil loses efficacy if hair loss genes in people with androgenetic alopecia multiply faster than Minoxidil's hair regrowth mechanism. Additionally, Minoxidil will stop working as soon as you stop taking it or apply it incorrectly.

What is a natural alternative to minoxidil?

Pumpkin seed oil extracted from this plant is brimful of phytosterols. This is an ideal minoxidil natural alternative. These compounds are known to inhibit testosterone conversion to its active form dihydrotestosterone and further androgen.

Who should not use rosemary oil for hair?

Rosemary oil is highly concentrated. Using too much of it may damage the hair follicles, causing hair loss instead of hair growth. Anyone with a skin condition or skin sensitivity should use caution when using essential oils. They can cause allergic reactions or worsen symptoms of skin conditions.

Can I stop using minoxidil and use rosemary oil instead?

Yes, you can switch from minoxidil to rosemary oil as a potential alternative treatment for hair growth. However, it's important to understand the differences between these two options and to consult with a healthcare professional before making any changes to your hair loss treatment regimen.

When do minoxidil results peak?

Key takeaways:

Minoxidil can improve hair growth and slow hair loss, but it takes around 4-6 months of daily use to start seeing noticeable results and up to a year for maximal benefits.

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 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.

What can you not mix with minoxidil?

List of interactions for Minoxidil
  • Acebutolol. Both Minoxidil and Acebutolol can increase the risk of hypotension.
  • Alcohol. Both Minoxidil and Alcohol can increase the risk of hypotension.
  • Alfuzosin. Both Minoxidil and Alfuzosin can increase the risk of hypotension.
  • Aliskiren. ...
  • Alprostadil. ...
  • Amantadine. ...
  • Amitriptyline. ...
  • Amlodipine.

What boosts minoxidil?

SULT1A1 (Minoxidil Sulfotransferase) enzyme booster significantly improves response to topical minoxidil for hair regrowth.

What is the next best thing to minoxidil?

Here are some hair loss treatment options to try if you are seeking a Minoxidil alternative.
  1. Dutasteride. Dutasteride belongs to a group of drugs known as 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, or 5-ARIs. ...
  2. Finasteride. Finasteride works similarly to Dutasteride. ...
  3. Natural hair loss treatments. ...
  4. Redensyl. ...
  5. Low-level laser therapy.

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