Dry and Flaky Skin After Starting Rogaine

I’ve been on finasteride for about 4-5 years now. In addition to that, my doctor recently told me to start using the liquid Rogaine drops once a day. (I have frontal balding/thinning & am 29 years old.) I started with Rogaine a few weeks ago. Almost immediately I started noticing dry, flaky skin in that area of my hair. It doesn’t really resemble dandruff (which I’ve never had) so much as the kind of skin that sheds after a sunburn heals.

Is this normal? How long do you think this will last? (I am experiencing no other side effects so far.)

Known side effects of minoxidil (Rogaine) include itching, redness, dryness, and scalp flaking, so what you are reporting is not out of the ordinary. It may last for as long as you use it. It is sometimes dose related, but I’m not sure what strength you’re using (common is 2% or 5%). If you’re using the 5%, you may be able to tolerate the 2% better.