This is one of the most commonly asked questions Minoxidil users ask, “What will happen if I quit Minoxidil?” Before starting the discussion on the side effects, let’s discuss some basic facts about the treatment and how it works.
What is Minoxidil?
When Minoxidil was first created, it was used for the treatment of hypertension; patients using Minoxidil started noticing unnecessary hair growth on their bodies. This surprised the issuing doctors and a new purpose for Minoxidil was discovered.
The discovery of Minoxidil for hair loss brought in a new revolution in hair loss treatments. It was after this discovery that dermatologists started using and suggesting it to patients suffering from hair loss.
It has been recorded that minoxidil works by helping blood flow move towards the hair follicle. This feeds the hair follicle and causes it to grow in size, which ultimately stimulates new hair growth.
Now a days, Minoxidil is one of the two most used drugs approved by the food and Drug Administration to generate hair growth in the area(s) where it is applied.
How Minoxidil Works?
Even after decades of study and use, the exact details of how Minoxidil works is not clear. There are a number of theories on the workings of Minoxidil, but the precise mechanisms are not yet known. Most dermatologists believe that Minoxidil boosts the blood flow to the scalp, as we mentioned above.
When the roots of the hair follicle start receiving some amount of blood, it causes the bulb size to grow and new hair is then stimulated.
Minoxidil also helps to maintain your existing hair. Patients who experience initial hair fall can use a low concentration of Minoxidil to help them to treat the issue.
Once you realize that your hair is thinning or hair fall starts to occur, it is advised that you begin using the treatment right away. As time passes with the occurrence of hair loss, it is expected that you could go completely bald within 8 to 10 years.
Sometimes Minoxidil does not work on the first attempt but if it previously started showing results, it will definitely show results again.
Most of the time, Minoxidil shows results after 4-6 months of proper use because the hair follicle takes time to regrow hair. It is also not a cause for concern if you start experiencing hair shedding after taking the dose for the first time. In fact, it is a sign that treatment is working properly.
Minoxidil Stats
Minoxidil has helped 44 million people overcome pattern baldness. There are two studies in specific, that were conducted to check the result of Minoxidil.
Both of the studies show that Minoxidil helped hair loss sufferers overcome baldness and improved hair thickness.
- 75 % of the men noted better hair thickness.
- 55% of men managed to stimulate new hair growth.
These surveys clearly show that Minoxidil works in the treatment of hair pattern baldness.
Let Get To The Point: What Happens After Stop Using Minoxidil…
Most people believe that after quitting Minoxidil, hair loss will begin all over again. While this is the case for most, it does depend on the type of hair loss you were dealing with when you started using Minoxidil.
Let’s say you were dealing with cancer or a nutritional deficiency and you started using Minoxidil to overcome a particular type of hair loss if your treatment was completed or you overcame the deficiencies you were having,it will not cause an onset of hair loss again.
On the other hand, if male pattern baldness, female pattern baldness or androgenetic alopecia made you use Minoxidil, you may experience symptoms of hair loss again.
Before we continue, a quick reminder that Minoxidil does not cure baldness. It simply makes thin hair thicker, small hairs grow larger and make weaker hair healthier.
Minoxidil does not cure hair loss for the rest of your life. It requires continuous usage and is a lifetime deal.
If Minoxidil usage is stopped, in most cases the patient’s hair loss will start again from where it stopped. After 3-4 months, the hair fall process will continue.
So the one-liner, if you were using Minoxidil to treat hair fall after having a nutritional deficiency or treatment of any other disease, you will not have any hair fall after stopping use, but if you were having pattern baldness, hair fall will restart after quitting Minoxidil.
How To Stop Hair Fall After Quitting Minoxidil
Hair health is determined by 3 factors; Genetics, lifestyle, and environment. It is often said that lifestyle pulls the trigger of the gun which genetics loads.
A healthy lifestyle is always the key to improved hair health. Eating healthy, fibrous veggies, protein and vitamins is the way to live a more healthy life. Junk food has never been a good choice for maintaining optimal health.
To support not being affected by hair loss in the future, or to slow down the process after quitting Minoxidil, the scalp should be properly massaged.
Massaging the scalp using pure natural essential oils will make blood flow to the roots of the hair follicle, which will ultimately cause hair to grow.
Using essential oils that are available on the market may help to control hair fall after Minoxidil.
One thing we need to be clear about is that if you try to replicate the results achieved by using a topical Minoxidil, with any other topical medication, you will not have the same result. Topical Minoxidil treatment is the best method to overcome hair loss.
If you think you are a good candidate for a Minoxidil treatment, we want to help you take the next step. Use our free hair loss evaluation to see which Minoxidil based system is right for you.
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