Consumer Reports on Minoxidil, page 56

Minoxidil Feedback

If you use Minoxidil, please help others by sharing your experience with side effects. What would you tell your best friend about this product? Please remember that we do not give medical advice. That is for your local health care provider, who is familiar with your medical history.

Lance at 1.5 months
Date: 7/4/2012
Hi & good day! i am 42 yrs old & i’ve been using minoxidil 5% for 1.5 months now, although the brand name is not that familiar but i understand this is genuine since i am buying this in legitimate pharmacies here in saudi arabia. i am applying/using minoxidil 5% twice a day, morning and night, and i am experiencing itchiness in my scalp like what other users of minoxidil experienced. now my question is this, do i really have to wait for four (4) months or more to see the result of using minoxidil? Or, it depends on the response of every user like others may noticed hair growth after 3 weeks maybe or 1 month or 2 months? i did not consult a doctor prior to using this medicine since i believed that this is applied externally and less chance of side effects may occur or happen.

In my observation, after 1.5 months of using minoxidil seems like no regrowth of hair is observed however i will still be using minoxidil until 4 months or more thinking that my respond to it is just so slow unlike others maybe. can u please tell me there still hope that sooner my hair will regrow because of this minoxidil? after 4 months i will come back & share with u guys the result of using minoxidil.

LANCE

AskDocWeb: The 5% formula of minoxidil is known to cause more itching and skin irritation than the 2% formula. Those who see hair growth from minoxidil that appears in less than 2 months are the lucky few. For most people it takes longer than that. The greatest benefit from this medication is seen from 5 to 14 months of continuous use. In the studies conducted by UpJohn, 39% of men had some regrowth of hair at 12 months. That appears to be just over a one in three chance of seeing regrowth. Hopefully you will be in the group that sees good results.

How often should I wash my hair?
Date: 7/4/2012
Hi, I’m planning to use Minoxidil and finasteride 1mg. Could you please let me know if I should take head bath daily if i use Minoxidil? Please advice.

Vinodh

AskDocWeb: Bathing the head daily is not required when using Minoxidil. Many people avoid washing their hair every day because it gets too dry, which damages the hair shafts. Usually several times a week is good enough.

More hair fall!
Date: 7/7/2012
I AM 25 YEAR OLD MALE .I HAVE HAIR FALL PROBLEM FOR LAST 6 MONTH. I WENT TO DERMATOLOGIST AND HE ADVISED TO USE MIN TOP 5% NOW I AM USING IT FOR LAST ONE WEEK BUT I NOTICED MORE HAIR FALL AFTER USING IT.IS IT A NORMAL THING OR ANY WRONG INDICATION. SHOULD I CONTINUE WITH THIS OR STOP USING.

Lahna

AskDocWeb: The product data for minoxidil says to tell your doctor if your hair loss continues for more than 2 weeks. Several people have reported going through an initial period of shedding (increased hair fall) during the first few weeks of using minoxidil.

Minoxidil 5% to grow a beard?
Date: 7/9/2012
21 years old boy. I dont have full beard. I want to know that if i use minoxidil 5% to grow full beard and then if i gain full beard, then can i stop using minoxidil 5%? If i gain full beard, will my full beard last for long/life time? Else what should i use?

Prince

AskDocWeb: To our knowledge minoxidil has not been studied to show it might do on beard growth. You should know that there are reports of severe facial dryness in those using minoxidil to grow a beard. That depleted moisture can lead to facial lines and wrinkles. Once you get facial wrinkles they do tend to last the rest of your life. Of course you could use a moisturizer to prevent some of the pain and scarring of dry skin but overall using minoxidil on the face is NOT recommended.

5% or 10%?
7/15/2012
Currently using Mintop Forte 5%. Would 10% be more useful for me? I am 24, and over last few years seeing increased hair loss, probably due to work related stress.

Nipun

AskDocWeb: How long have you used Mintop 5%? The 10% version has produced slightly better results for some but also has an increased risk of side effects.

Facial hair black rings under eyes
7/20/2012
Hi, i am 25 years old female. i used minoxidil 5% for 4 months. I stopped using it. i never had facial hair before. After using Minoxidil i had hair growth all over my cheecks, lower and upper lips and forehead. The hair under my lower lips fell and it regrew. Will all the facial hair fall off and not regrow again. I noticed black rings under my eyes also. Will this go away? Please help. Thanks,

Sree

AskDocWeb: Those side effects have been reported by others and usually to go away after discontinuing Minoxidil but not always. Unfortunately that typically takes a few months. The facial hair caused by Minoxidil will fall out but some people speed that up by using a hair growth inhibitor such as Vaniqa.

Mintop 10%
7/21/2012
I am using Mintop 5% for past 6months and the result was good, but later I started to lose more hair even after applying the Minoxidil 5% lotion during night and gel(minoxidil 5%) during night. So my Dr recommended to use Mintop 10%(night) and Mintop 5%(morning). And I haven’t tried 10% but using 5% i don’t see any improvements, do you recommend 10%?

Sam

AskDocWeb: We make no recommendation for or against the 10%. Our purpose here is to share information about the side effects and the 10% product does produce more side effects. Most often these side effects consist of increases scalp irritation, flaking/dandruff, and the growth of body hair where the product is not applied.

How harmful is Mintop 10%?
7/25/2012
Hi, i am 24 yrs old. I am facing hair loss from middle of head to front end of head. Finally i consulted a doc nd he recommendem mintop 10%. Would you please suggess me that wheather i should believe the doc nd use it. Or plz tell me how harmful this product is?

Ranjeet

AskDocWeb: Welcome Ranjeet. The active ingredient in Mintop 10% is minoxidil. This drug is sold in several different concentrations or strengths; 2%, 5%, 10%, etc. The larger the number the more effect it has on the body, which is not always good. In the U.S.A. only the 2% version is approved for use by women because of unwanted side effects produced by the more concentrated formulas. The 5% version is approved for use by men. Formulas stronger than 2% are known to produce the growth of facial hair and body hair. On men this is typically not a problem but is unwanted by most women (and that’s an understatement).

According to the Mayo Clinic, if too much minoxidil is absorbed through the skin it can produce a number of unwanted side effects and the risk of side effects increases with the stronger formulas. These may include:

  • Blurred vision or other changes in vision
  • Chest pain
  • Dizziness
  • Fainting
  • Fast or irregular heartbeat
  • Flushing
  • Headache
  • Lightheadedness
  • Numbness or tingling of hands, feet, or face
  • Swelling of face, hands, feet, or lower legs
  • Weight gain (rapid)

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
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