Male pattern baldness, or androgenetic alopecia, is a common issue that can easily creep up on you, whether in the form of a receding hairline or a bald patch around your crown.
These early signs of baldness can be alarming, but they’re also a great sign to take action and protect your hair from further thinning.
If you’ve ever researched hair loss treatments, you’ve probably heard of minoxidil. Available as a generic medication and under the brand name Rogaine®, minoxidil is a topical liquid or foam that’s applied directly to your scalp to stimulate hair growth and stop hair loss.
It’s also available as an oral medication that your healthcare provider may prescribe if you have hair loss that doesn’t respond to topical treatments. However, this oral form of minoxidil is not yet FDA-approved, which means it’s only prescribed off-label.
Like other hair loss treatments, minoxidil starts working right away within your body. However, it usually takes several months before the effects of minoxidil — for example, reduced hair shedding and normal hair growth — are visible.
Below, we’ve gone into more detail about what minoxidil is, as well as how it works as a treatment for male pattern baldness.
We’ve also explained how long you’ll usually need to wait before you’ll see results from minoxidil treatment, as well as other options you might want to consider if you’re starting to lose hair.
Like other hair loss treatments, minoxidil begins working immediately. However, it takes time for your hair to transition from the telogen (or inactive) phase of the hair growth cycle to the anagen phase, during which, on average, hair grows about a half-inch per month — or six inches per year.
While results vary somewhat from one person to the next, you can reasonably expect to notice the effects of minoxidil — for example, reduced hair shedding and normal hair growth — within two to four months. More significant results, such as noticeable improvements in scalp coverage, will be visible after a full year of treatment.
Minoxidil is the generic version and active ingredient in the medication Rogaine. The wait to see how long it takes for Rogaine to work is the same as that for generic minoxidil.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved minoxidil in topical form as a treatment for male pattern baldness and female pattern hair loss.
Topical minoxidil is an over-the-counter medication, meaning you can buy it without a prescription. But keep in mind that it is still a medication, so it’s important to tell your healthcare provider that you use minoxidil, just as you would inform them of any other medications or supplements you take.
In some cases, minoxidil is available off-label in an oral form, typically in cases where someone has trouble with the upkeep of a twice-daily topical product. Off-label use means a medication is prescribed or recommended for something it’s not FDA-approved to treat.
Findings of a 2024 study in JAMA Dermatology suggest oral minoxidil may be more effective in promoting hair growth on the vertex or crown of the head, while topical minoxidil may be slightly more effective in triggering hair growth near the front of the scalp.
Minoxidil works in a couple of ways. First, it moves your hair into a phase of active growth, known as the anagen phase of the hair growth cycle.
Second, it may dilate blood vessels to increase blood flow to the scalp, providing hair follicles with a steady supply of oxygen and nutrients for consistent growth.
Minoxidil works as a remedy not only for male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) but also for other forms of hair loss, like telogen effluvium, traction alopecia, alopecia areata, and shedding as a result of fungal scalp infections.
A word of warning: You may notice that your hair initially appears thinner after you start using minoxidil. Don’t panic. This temporary problem is likely caused by minoxidil moving your hair follicles from one phase of the hair growth cycle to another.
While it can look alarming, any minor hair shedding that occurs after you start treatment with minoxidil isn’t permanent hair loss and typically resolves within a few months.
If you’ve recently started using minoxidil, stay patient and focus on the long term. Your hair will almost certainly look better two to four months from now — and even better after a whole year — but it may be a slightly bumpy ride until then.
A 2023 study in Dermatology and Therapy found that, even in the absence of side effects, a high number of topical minoxidil users stopped using the product after a few months. One common reason given was dissatisfaction with hair growth results. The researchers stressed the importance of consistent use for at least a year before deciding whether or not to discontinue its use.
Stick with it and keep up your twice-daily application of minoxidil. In due time, your hairline and total hair count will thank you.
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Minoxidil isn’t a magic potion for hair loss, and everyone’s experiences may differ. Having said that, the odds are good you’ll see positive, significant results if you have hair loss and use minoxidil consistently as part of your treatment routine.
Over the last few decades, several clinical trials and observational studies have looked into the effects of minoxidil, with almost all research showing positive results for men with hair loss.
In a 2019 report on minoxidil, researchers noted that the medication “provides remarkable benefits to patients with hair disorders,” citing numerous studies over the past 30 years.
For example, in a 2004 study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, dermatologists looked at the effects of topical minoxidil 5% on more than 900 men with hair loss caused by male androgenetic alopecia. After 12 months, 84 percent of the men rated the minoxidil solution as either “very effective,” “effective,” or “moderately effective” at regrowing hair.
A different study from 2007 compared the effects of topical minoxidil 5% with a placebo. After 16 weeks, the men who used the 5% minoxidil displayed a statistically significant increase in new hair growth and reduced hair loss compared to those who used a non-therapeutic placebo.
And another study compared the effects of minoxidil 5% with minoxidil 2% in men with male pattern baldness. The researchers found that both dosages of minoxidil were well-tolerated, but the stronger 5% solution was more effective at promoting satisfactory hair regrowth.
Beyond showing that topical minoxidil is safe, most research on this medication suggests that side effects, while possible, aren’t common. And when they do occur, they are often mild and/or temporary.
A 2021 study of oral minoxidil found that adverse effects were “infrequent” and that fewer than 2% of study participants stopped using minoxidil due to complaints about side effects.
Potential side effects of topical minoxidil include:
Temporary hair shedding
Scalp irritation
Burning skin
Pruritus (itchy, dry skin)
Allergic reactions, such as contact dermatitis
Out of more than 900 men who participated in one study, fewer than 40 people experienced any adverse effects from topical minoxidil, with none of the most common side effects classified as serious.
Research also suggests that oral minoxidil is generally safe and effective for men with hair loss. Still, it should be used with caution by those with hypertension (high blood pressure) or heart health issues.
Although uncommon, both topical and oral minoxidil could cause more severe side effects and allergic reactions.
Minoxidil works only when it’s actively in your system. If you stop taking minoxidil, you can expect to see hair loss resume in about three to four months.
That’s why it’s vital to continue taking minoxidil even when you’re not seeing immediate results.
Many healthcare professionals even recommend sticking with minoxidil treatment after hair transplant surgery.
If you’re using minoxidil to treat hair loss from male pattern baldness, there are numerous things you can do to improve your results with this topical treatment:
Start minoxidil as early as you can. Hair loss treatments work best when used as early as possible — ideally, as soon as you notice the first signs of male pattern hair loss.
Apply minoxidil properly. Minoxidil is an easy medication to apply, but consistency is key. This means using the proper amount and applying it twice daily to your scalp. Our guide to applying minoxidil for hair growth explains how to use minoxidil effectively, whether you opt for the foam formulation or liquid solution.
Make minoxidil a habit. You’ll only see the effects of minoxidil as long as you’re using it. Once you stop applying it on a regular basis, your hair growth will stop, and you’ll likely start to see excessive hair shedding or thinning again.
Use minoxidil with oral finasteride. Minoxidil works well on its own, but research shows it’s even more effective when used with finasteride. This prescription hair loss medication prevents your body from producing DHT (dihydrotestosterone), a male hormone known to cause genetic hair loss. We offer minoxidil and oral finasteride together in our Hair Power Pack.
Adopt a diet that promotes hair health. Though your diet won’t prevent hair loss, the foods you eat and your intake of essential vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients can have a visible effect on your overall hair condition. See our guide to the best foods for hair growth for guidance.
When it comes to treating hair loss and promoting hair density, patience is a major virtue. Once you start using minoxidil, focus on applying it twice a day — not on checking your mirror every few hours for new hairs.
Here’s what to remember about how long it takes minoxidil to work:
Minoxidil doesn’t work overnight, but it does work for many people. On average, research suggests it takes around four months for new hair to appear, with more significant results after one year of continuous minoxidil use.
Your hair might look worse before it gets better. It’s common to notice more shedding before your hair gets thicker. Hold steady and keep using minoxidil — after a few months, your hair should look fuller.
Using finasteride can improve your results. Finasteride and minoxidil work great as a team for treating hair loss. Try adding oral finasteride to your hair loss prevention routine, or use a topical medication that combines both minoxidil and finasteride.
You’ll see the best results after a year. You’ll likely notice a small increase in hair growth that eventually turns into a thicker crown, a stronger hairline, or a fuller head of hair over the course of the next year.
Interested in using minoxidil to treat hair loss and regrow hair? We offer minoxidil solution and minoxidil foam as part of our range of evidence-based hair loss treatment options for men.
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