Minoxidil practical questions

Anonymous
I’m 42 and I’m the last 6 months the hair on my left temple has thinned so badly I now almost have a bald patch there. A tiny chunk of hair thankfully is still there. I’ve had bloodwork done and all is normal. Have also seem the dermatologist who believes it’s generic hair thinning. He recommended oral minoxidil which I not ready for so I wanted to ask some preactical questions about the foam.

1) can I use it just on this small patch and my part? I assume as time passes I may need it in more areas but would like to start small.

2) does it weigh your hair down? I usually only wash my hair 3x a week. Will I have to wash it every day if I put this in my part?

3) Do people use sleeping bonnets to prevent transfer to pillow and potential hair growth on the face?

4 related to the hair washing: does anyone do it not every day? Understand this would make it slightly less effective but I’m trying to be realistic.

Thanks so much!
Anonymous
Oh and 5) instagram is pushing the laser helmet on my hard. Has anyone tried this before doing minoxidil or have any other feedback on their use?
Anonymous
just try it
Anonymous
I started oral minoxidil at 42. I'm 44 now and my hair is so so much better. It's super easy. I take a half a pill every morning and am done. No side effects or unwanted hair issues.
Anonymous
Why won’t you try oral minoxidil?
Anonymous
Op here— I’m just afraid of side effects. Feels like everything I read is negative experiences. But if that’s not the case I’m very open to hearing people who are happy on it!
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Op here— I’m just afraid of side effects. Feels like everything I read is negative experiences. But if that’s not the case I’m very open to hearing people who are happy on it!


I have had hair loss on weight loss meds and have been considering everything you are considering. I ruled out oral minoxidil like you did, but happy to hear from everyone on this. I went so far as to buy the topical at the drug store but haven't used it yet. The instructions felt a bit overwhelming.
Anonymous
My dermatologist recommended topical minoxidil along with 500 mg of Biotin daily for hair loss.
The topical comes as a foam, and I put it on my hairline and then a bit on a spot in the back. It dries nicely, and I don’t need a bonnet. I do, however, wait for it to dry before I go to bed.
I don’t know if it’s the foam or the supplement, but I have had very good results.
Anonymous
My Rx topical is a liquid, not a foam. It does buildup in my hair so I have to watch and make sure to wash when I notice the buildup. I apply it once/day at night to my crown and temples (where my hair was thinning) and do not sleep with a bonnet.

I could not tolerate the oral version.
Anonymous
I take 1.25mg every evening and it has made a huge difference. I haven’t tried adding biotin.
Anonymous
I apply it every evening when I get home from work, so about 5pm. By the time I go to bed it’s dry, so no issues with it getting on fabrics. And I wash my hair the next morning.

I’m also using it just on one side where my hair has thinned much more. I’m starting to see a difference after about 4 months.
Anonymous
I use the liquid.
I don't wash my hair every day.
I don't wear a bonnet.
It does not wear my hair down.

Female, age 64, used for many years.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Oh and 5) instagram is pushing the laser helmet on my hard. Has anyone tried this before doing minoxidil or have any other feedback on their use?


My term recommended the laser helmet. Ask me again in 6 months, I just bought one on Black Friday and haven't used it yet.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Op here— I’m just afraid of side effects. Feels like everything I read is negative experiences. But if that’s not the case I’m very open to hearing people who are happy on it!


I've been on oral minoxidil for 3 months without any side effects. What specifically are you worried about? I am also on spironolactone, so I think that it may counteract any edema that minoxidil would cause.
Anonymous
There are so many threads on this, OP.
post reply Forum Index » Perimenopause, Menopause, and Beyond
Message Quick Reply
Go to: