Does a man have to start taking minoxidil prior to hair loss for it to work?

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Elsevier ClinicalKey Clinical Overview

Treatment Telogen effluvium: No treatment is necessary unless a reversible underlying cause is identified (eg, iron deficiency, thyroid disorder, drug adverse effect) Anagen effluvium: No treatment is necessary; hair will regrow spontaneously after chemotherapy in most cases Male-pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia): Minoxidil, finasteride, and low-level laser light therapy are effective for promoting hair growth In 2017 meta-analysis of studies with quantitative results, these treatments are more effective than placebo (with mean difference in hair count): Finasteride 1 mg daily (18.37 hairs/cm²) Data were insufficient to measure effect of 0.5 mg dutasteride in men Low-level laser light therapy (17.66 hairs/cm²) 5% minoxidil twice daily (14.94 hairs/cm²) 2% minoxidil twice daily (8.11 hairs/cm²) Hairpiece or cosmetic camouflaging agent, if desired Hair restoration surgery if patient desires it, is an appropriate candidate, and medical treatments are unsuccessful Female-pattern hair loss: Minoxidil is effective (2017 meta-analysis of studies with quantitative results and 2016 Cochrane review including studies with both quantitative and qualitative results) 2% twice daily (12.41 hairs/cm²) No difference in effect between the minoxidil 2% and 5% Inconsistent results in studies evaluating low-level laser light therapy devices, but Cochrane review found improvement in total hair count measured from baseline (although study participants did not note subjective difference) Finasteride is not more effective than placebo, based on low-level evidence Some experts use finasteride and minoxidil together Further randomized controlled trials of spironolactone, finasteride (different dosages), dutasteride, cyproterone acetate, and laser-based therapy are needed

Treatment Male- and female-pattern hair loss Topical dermatologic agent (vasodilator) Minoxidil 5% For men Minoxidil Topical foam; Adult Males: One-half capful topically twice daily to the scalp in the hair loss area. For women Minoxidil Topical foam; Adult Females: One-half capful topically once daily to the scalp in the hair loss area. Minoxidil 2% Minoxidil Topical solution; Adults: 1 mL topically twice daily onto the scalp in the hair loss area. Male-pattern (androgenetic) hair loss 5α-reductase inhibitor Finasteride Finasteride Oral tablet [Alopecia]; Adult males: 1 mg PO once daily. Can be given on alternate days, if desired, to mitigate adverse effects Alopecia areata Topical corticosteroids for mild patchy alopecia Betamethasone valerate 0.12% topical foam Betamethasone Valerate Topical foam; Adults: Apply a small amount twice daily to the affected area(s) of the scalp. Discontinue use when control is achieved. If no improvement within 2 weeks, reassess the diagnosis. Intralesional steroids for mild alopecia and pulse systemic corticosteroids for more severe alopecia may be prescribed or administered by a dermatologist Tinea capitis Antifungal agent Terbinafine (for adults and children aged older than 4 years) Terbinafine Hydrochloride Oral granules; Children and Adolescents 4 to 17 years weighing less than 25 kg: 125 mg PO once daily for 6 weeks. Terbinafine Hydrochloride Oral granules; Children and Adolescents 4 to 17 years weighing 25 to 35 kg: 187.5 mg PO once daily for 6 weeks.

2.

Food and Drug Administration (DailyMed).

Publish date: August 3, 2021.

Spl Unclassified Section Also, minoxidil for men (minoxidil) topical solution 5% will not improve hair loss due to: • damage from the use of hair care products which cause scarring or deep burns of the scalp. • hair grooming methods such as cornrowing or ponytails which require pulling the hair tightly back from the scalp. Do not use if you are not sure of the reason for your hair loss. Will minoxidil for men (minoxidil) topical solution 5% work for me? The amount of hair regrowth is different for each person. Not everyone will respond to minoxidil for men (minoxidil) topical solution 5%. The response to minoxidil for men (minoxidil) topical solution 5% cannot be predicted. It is unlikely anyone will be able to grow back all their hair. However, to see your best results with minoxidil for men (minoxidil) topical solution 5%, make sure you get the medicine directly to the scalp and apply it twice a day, every day. You may get better results if you have been losing your hair for a short period of time or have little hair loss. However, for some men minoxidil for men (minoxidil) topical solution 5% may not work. How soon can I expect results from using minoxidil for men (minoxidil) topical solution 5%? Since normal hair usually grows only 1/2 to 1 inch per month, hair regrowth with minoxidil for men (minoxidil) topical solution 5% also takes time. Results may be seen as early as 2 months with twice daily use. For some men, it may take at least 4 months for results to be seen. If you do not see any results after 4 months, stop using minoxidil for men (minoxidil) topical solution 5%. When you first begin to use minoxidil for men (minoxidil) topical solution 5%, your hair loss may increase temporarily for up to 2 weeks.

Spl Unclassified Section When you first begin to use minoxidil for men (minoxidil) topical solution 5%, your hair loss may increase temporarily for up to 2 weeks. This is likely a sign that you are getting rid of old hairs in order to regrow more new hairs. This temporary increase in hair loss is expected and is a part of the process for how minoxidil for men (minoxidil) topical solution 5% regrows hair. Remember, this increased hair loss is temporary. However, if it continues after two weeks, see your doctor. If minoxidil for men (minoxidil) topical solution 5% is working, what will the hair look like? At first, hair growth is usually soft, downy, colorless hairs (like peach fuzz). After further use, the new hairs should be the same color and thickness as the other hairs on your scalp. How long do I need to use minoxidil for men (minoxidil) topical solution 5%? If you experience hair regrowth, continued use of minoxidil for men (minoxidil) topical solution 5% is necessary or the hair loss will begin again. In studies with minoxidil for men (minoxidil) topical solution 5%, hair regrowth has not been shown to last longer than 48 weeks of continuous treatment in large clinical trials. What happens if I completely stop using minoxidil for men (minoxidil) topical solution 5%? Will I keep the new hair? Continuous use of minoxidil for men (minoxidil) topical solution 5% is needed to maintain hair regrowth. If you stop using minoxidil for men (minoxidil) topical solution 5%, you will lose your newly regrown hair in 3 to 4 months. How do I use minoxidil for men (minoxidil) topical solution 5%? For best results, apply 1 mL with applicator 2 times a day directly onto the scalp in the hair loss area.

3.

Food and Drug Administration (DailyMed).

Publish date: April 4, 2022.

Spl Unclassified Section • hair grooming methods such as cornrowing or ponytails which require pulling the hair tightly back from the scalp. Do not use if you are not sure of the reason for your hair loss. Will minoxidil foam (minoxidil) Topical Aerosol, 5% work for me? The amount of hair regrowth is different for each person. Not everyone will respond to minoxidil foam (minoxidil) Topical Aerosol, 5%. The response to minoxidil foam (minoxidil) Topical Aerosol, 5% cannot be predicted. It is unlikely anyone will be able to grow back all their hair. However, to see your best results with minoxidil foam (minoxidil) Topical Aerosol, 5% make sure you get the medicine directly to the scalp and apply it twice a day, every day. You may get better results if you have been losing your hair for a short period of time or have little hair loss. However, for some men minoxidil foam (minoxidil) Topical Aerosol, 5% may not work. How soon can I expect results from using minoxidil foam (minoxidil) Topical Aerosol, 5%? Since normal hair usually grows only 1/2 to 1 inch per month, hair regrowth with minoxidil foam (minoxidil) Topical Aerosol, 5% also takes time. Results may be seen as early as 2 months with twice daily use. For some men, it may take at least 4 months for results to be seen. If you do not see any results after 4 months, stop using minoxidil foam (minoxidil) Topical Aerosol, 5% and seek the advice of your physician. When you first begin to use minoxidil foam (minoxidil) Topical Aerosol, 5%, your hair loss may increase temporarily for up to 2 weeks. This is likely a sign that you are getting rid of old hairs in order to regrow more new hairs.