Question about Rogaine

[Anonymous]

When people say their hair was noticeably thicker after a few months, why is that? Is it because after the dread shed subsides, users lose less hair than usual, because the new growth is coming in, or because the solution dries out the hair and roughs up the cuticle? Or all of the above? My hair is long so it will take years for it to catch up to the rest and make a noticeable difference. I’m wondering if this is a fool’s game.

I’m on Week 8 and still shedding.

[Anonymous]

I don't know anyone who's said their hair felt thicker after just a couple of months. You're supposed to give it 6 months. Dermatologists that I follow on social media have said that shedding hair after you start using it is a good sign. I shed for about 2 months before I noticed baby hairs around my hairline. I've been using it for over a year and don't have as much hair as I used to but more than when I first started using it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't know anyone who's said their hair felt thicker after just a couple of months. You're supposed to give it 6 months. Dermatologists that I follow on social media have said that shedding hair after you start using it is a good sign. I shed for about 2 months before I noticed baby hairs around my hairline. I've been using it for over a year and don't have as much hair as I used to but more than when I first started using it.

+1

After the initial shed, I noticed both new growth and less shedding (compared to before I started the medication). This was on the oral version, so nothing to do with drier hair or a roughed up cuticle. On month 16 now and very pleased. My hair still isn't as thick as it was when I was younger, but it's much better than it was before. My hairdresser has commented as well, so it isn't just me. Stick with it!

[Anonymous]

I shed for a solid 10 weeks when I started the oral Rogaine, to the point I was getting seriously worried. Then the hair fall stopped significantly and new hair started coming in. I wouldn’t say that my hair feels a whole lot thicker but I can see sparse spots filling in. I don’t know if my hair will ever regain its former glory but I hope it slows down the loss. I also started only at age 50. The dramatic success stories I see on Reddit all seem to be in much younger women.

[Anonymous]

A year in and I am very happy. For the first 6 months I used the men's topical solution once a day but I didn't see any increased thickness. I did however, stop losing my hair which was a win. I never experienced any shedding. After that first 6 months I switched to 2x a day and now that I'm a year in overall, I definitely notice new, thicker growth. I started noticing the increased thickness about 3 months ago (so 9 months since starting to use Rogaine). My hair in that area is definitely drier but I can manage that. I know my hair has grown in because my scalp is less visible and the ends of my hair in that area are still thin. I'm very pleased with the results. Will keep applying 2x a day for as long as I am able.

[Anonymous]

It definitely worked for me. My doctor recommended that I use the men's strength. I used it for about 2 years, then didn't need it anymore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It definitely worked for me. My doctor recommended that I use the men's strength. I used it for about 2 years, then didn't need it anymore.

Do you not need it anymore because your hair density continues to be solid? I thought the hair loss/alopecia resumes if you stop using Rogaine. Did you have these issues previously? How long has it been since you haven't used it?

[Anonymous]

I started in September 2023 with the men's topical 1x day and by now my scalp has basically filled in with new growth. Hair doesn't feel much thicker bc the hairs are still smaller, as you note, but the appearance when my hair is up is so much better. My scalp is also very dry now which is helpful for me- it's pretty oily otherwise and ends up looking even flatter.