Understanding Minoxidil
Minoxidil is a popular hair loss treatment that was originally developed as a medicine to treat high blood pressure. It was later discovered that minoxidil could also stimulate hair growth in people experiencing androgenetic alopecia or pattern baldness.
How Minoxidil Works
Researchers still don't fully understand how minoxidil promotes hair growth, but studies have shown that it can shorten the resting phase of hair follicles. This helps new hairs emerge sooner and grow stronger and longer before shedding.
Minoxidil widens blood vessels and improves blood flow to hair follicles, ensuring they receive adequate nutrients for healthy hair production.
Using Minoxidil for Hair Loss
When used consistently, twice daily applications of minoxidil have been proven to stop hair loss and even regrow hair in many people. It comes as a liquid solution or foam that is massaged into the scalp.
Like any medication, users must follow directions closely and continue usage indefinitely to maintain results. When treatment is stopped, any regrown hairs will fall out and hair loss will resume within months.
What Happens When You Stop Using Minoxidil?
People choose to stop using minoxidil for various reasons, whether due to bothersome side effects, lack of results, or simply forgetting applications. But what actually takes place when you quit minoxidil cold turkey?
Hair Shedding Resumes
Minoxidil helps anchor hairs more firmly in the growth phase. When use is halted, these hairs will rapidly shift to the shedding phase in a process known as telogen effluvium. Users will notice increased daily hair loss within 2-8 weeks.
Regrown Hairs Are Lost
Any new hairs that grew from using minoxidil depend on the medication to maintain their regrowth. About 60-90 days after stopping, most re-grown hairs will fall out over 1-2 months. The scalp essentially returns to the state it would have been if treatment never occurred.
Underlying Loss Continues
Male and female pattern baldness happen due to genetic and hormonal factors. Quitting minoxidil does not stop this underlying loss. Natural hair thinning will continue at the same rate as before treatment.
What If You Stop for Just 1 Week?
Will stopping minoxidil for a short 7 day break cause immediate hair loss? Generally, no. Hairs will not react that rapidly.
No Increased Shedding
It takes hair follicles multiple weeks without minoxidil to reset back into the shedding phase. Your hair maintenance won't change much in only 7 days. Any shedding is from hairs already nearing their natural end point.
Regrown Hairs Remain Intact
Newly regrown hairs won't disappear in a mere week off the medication. The growth stage lasts 2-6 years. It will take months without minoxidil before these hairs transition and fall out.
Underlying Loss Continues
While a week without minoxidil makes almost no difference to your current hair state, male and female pattern loss continues progressing. Missing doses longer than 2 weeks may allow miniaturization of follicles and visible thinning.
Getting Back On Track
Inconsistent minoxidil use yields inconsistent results. But getting back on a regular regimen can restart and maintain progress. Here are some tips if you stopped for a short time.
No Need to Panic
Don't panic about a week long break. Quickly incorporating minoxidil into your routine again will likely prevent any future reversal of hair growth or loss prevention.
Stick to Twice Daily Applications
Get back on schedule with 1 ml twice daily applications. Splitting doses maximizes availability to follicles for consistent 24 hour coverage and optimized results.
Consider Using a Lower Dose
If you previously stopped because of irritation or unwanted facial/body hair growth, try lowering your dosage to 1 ml once per day or 0.5 ml twice daily. This still provides some help for hair loss with less side effects.
Give It Time
Minoxidil can take 4-6 months to stop shedding and up to 12 months to regrow hair. Don't lose hope if you don't see instant success after a temporary lapse. Consistency is key for the best outcome.
The Takeaway
Discontinuing minoxidil after regular use leads to reversal of any hair regrowth and renewed thinning related to androgenetic alopecia. But an isolated one week period off treatment is unlikely to result in excessive shedding or complete loss of new growth.
Adhere to the twice daily regimen to prevent falling back into more significant hair loss. Getting back on minoxidil quickly can help conserve existing hair and allow further improvement moving forward.
FAQs
Will I lose all my hair if I stop minoxidil for 1 week?
No, stopping minoxidil for only 1 week will not cause you to lose all regrown hair. It takes much longer without treatment (60-90 days) before most regrown hairs fall out from lack of minoxidil. A week's break may not halt progress if you promptly resume the regular dosage schedule.
Why does my hair shed more after quitting minoxidil?
Minoxidil helps anchor hairs in the anagen or growth phase. When use stops, a large number of hairs can rapidly shift into the telogen phase and shed within 2-8 weeks. This sudden push of hairs into the resting phase is called telogen effluvium.
Will my hair loss be worse than before starting treatment?
No, discontinuing minoxidil will not worsen the baseline rate of miniaturization and hair loss. Natural thinning due to androgenetic alopecia often continues at the same trajectory as prior to taking medication. But any improvement from using minoxidil will be lost.
Should I resume treatment after 1 week off minoxidil?
Yes, it's advisable to continue regular twice per day applications of minoxidil even after a short 1 week break. This helps maintain existing re-grown hairs and prevent renewed thinning. Adjust dosage if needed to manage side effects.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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