As a licensed hair loss drug in the UK and the US, minoxidil is proven to treat male pattern baldness, female pattern hair loss, and certain other types of alopecia [1]. But as with all hair loss treatments, the effects of minoxidil aren’t instant. So how long does it take minoxidil to work?
Most minoxidil users start to see visible results within 3 months, though some studies report men experiencing better hair within just one month [2-3]. But how long will it be before you get a full head of hair again?
Here, we explore the minoxidil results timeline and how long it takes for minoxidil to work.
Table of Contents
- How long does minoxidil take to reduce hair loss?
- How long does minoxidil take to stimulate hair growth?
- How long does it take for complete regrowth from minoxidil?
- Minoxidil results timeline
- Why am I losing more hair after 2 weeks of minoxidil?
- How to speed up your hair growth results
- Get rapid hair regrowth with DrHair
- FAQs
How long does minoxidil take to reduce hair loss?
Most minoxidil users find their hair loss starts to slow within 3 months of use [2]. It can take as long as 6 months, depending on the length of your hair growth cycle. One study found that more than 74% of men reported increased hair density after 4 months of twice-daily 5% minoxidil treatment [3].
How long does minoxidil take to stimulate hair growth?
Many users report visible regrowth from minoxidil within 6 months of starting treatment [2].
Before minoxidil use (A) vs after 6 months of minoxidil use (B). Source & image credit: [6].
However, for others it can take longer. It depends on the length of your hair growth cycle, how consistently you use minoxidil, and the treatment concentration. Minoxidil 5% formulas tend to yield better, faster results than Minoxidil 2% [4].
How long does it take for complete regrowth from minoxidil?
Not everyone will get full regrowth from using minoxidil. It tends to work best for people in the early stages of hair loss. The time it takes to see the full extent of your minoxidil results depends on several factors, including:
- The extent of your hair loss.
- The length of your hair growth cycle.
- How often you apply minoxidil.
- The concentration of minoxidil you use.
In general, you’ll probably see your final results after 12 months of consistent minoxidil use. Learn more about how minoxidil works to improve hair loss symptoms.
Minoxidil results timeline
Let’s take a look at what you can expect over the first few months of minoxidil treatment.
Baseline
The baseline is the state of your hair when you start treatment. For men with male pattern baldness, we recommend applying 1 ml (approximately 10 sprays) of our 5% minoxidil formula to your scalp twice a day.
Focus the sprays on the balding or thinning areas, and use your fingertips to massage the solution into your scalp. Wash your hands thoroughly after application.
2 weeks
Around 2 weeks into treatment, you may start to see an increase in hair shedding. Try not to worry — it’s completely normal to see some temporary hair loss from minoxidil. It happens because more hair gets pushed through the hair growth cycle into the shedding stage so they can advance to the growth stage.
This increased hair shedding only lasts around 3-6 weeks [5].
1-3 months
You should start to see a reduction in hair loss around the 3 month mark, if not a little earlier. While this doesn’t always manifest as obvious regrowth, you may find less hair coming out in the shower or on your pillow in the morning.
3-6 months
A few weeks after your hair loss slows down, you should start to see new hair growth. For most people, this happens around 6 months after you start using minoxidil, though some people do see regrowth sooner.
To maximise your results, take good care of your new and existing hair. That means regular hair washing, minimal heat styling, and living a healthy lifestyle. You could also consider adding finasteride to your hair growth routine for maximum regrowth.
Recommended
Finasteride (1mg) + Minoxidil 5% (60ml)
Inhibit DHT production to halt hair loss and promote hair growth.
6-12 months
Final results will become visible after 6-12 months of consistent minoxidil use. Even after this point, your hair loss will resume if you stop using minoxidil. So bear this in mind when considering your long-term treatment options.
Why am I losing more hair after 2 weeks of minoxidil?
Some users see a short period of temporary hair shedding around 2-3 weeks after starting treatment. This is a normal and expected occurrence, and is actually a sign that the treatment is working.
That said, not all users experience minoxidil shedding. One research paper reports shedding affects just over 5% of users (though this is lower than most other studies) [5]. So even if you don’t have any noticeable early shedding, the treatment may still be effective.
Shedding usually lasts around 3 to 6 weeks, making way for permanent new growth [5].
How to speed up your hair growth results
Here’s how you can maximise your hair growth when using minoxidil:
- Apply minoxidil as recommended. 10 sprays across your balding patches twice daily should give you the best possible results.
- Switch from 2% minoxidil to 5% minoxidil. Unless you’re at particular risk of side effects, men are most likely to benefit from 5% minoxidil rather than lower concentrations.
- Combine minoxidil with finasteride. It’s safe to use minoxidil alongside oral or topical finasteride, and often yields better results than using minoxidil alone.
Get rapid hair regrowth with DrHair
At DrHair, you can stimulate fast regrowth with our range of hair loss products. Whether you want to start with simple topical formulas like minoxidil, or switch to a minoxidil + finasteride combination for maximum results, we’ve got you covered. With DrHair, you’ll get:
- Fast discreet delivery
- The best prices, guaranteed
- Hair loss treatment without lengthy subscriptions
- Advice and support from doctors
- Rapid assessment (less than a minute)
- Treatment from industry-leading suppliers
Take the one-minute minoxidil assessment and help kickstart your hair growth now.
FAQs
Learn more about when and how to use minoxidil for best results in these FAQs.
Minoxidil has good success rates for improving hair loss, so it’s likely to have a positive effect on your hair. Temporary hair shedding around 2-4 weeks after starting treatment is often an indicator that minoxidil is working.
Unfortunately, though, the only way to truly tell if minoxidil is working is when you start to see results. We recommend taking a photo of your hair at baseline, then at regular intervals during your treatment to monitor your progress. Remember that it normally takes 3-6 months to see visible results.
There’s no need to wash minoxidil off your scalp; you can leave it on until your next scheduled hair wash. It’s important to leave minoxidil on your scalp for at least 4 hours to feel the full effect.
Your hair loss will probably continue if you stop using minoxidil, as the effects of the treatment only last as long as it’s used. If you stop, the blood vessels will return to normal, and the nutrients your hair follicles receive will return to their restricted pre-treatment levels.
