Rogaine Foam Response Time?

Dr. Rassman,
I am confused as to why you said it would take 1-2 years to see results with Rogaine 5% Foam versus the 3 to 4 months that is usually mentioned for any results. I thought the cycle of hair growth is generally a four month turnover process and am wondering why you said I would need to wait 1-2 years. Again, I am a 48 year old female with androgenetic alopecia. Thank you.

It takes time for the hair to grow out, so any benefit of minoxidil that is obtained in the 4-6 month hair cycle, needs to grow to styling length to see value. Sure, you might see tiny baby hairs sprouting up, but those aren’t at a length that is manageable. Hair grows at the rate of 1/2 inch a month, so by adding the numbers together, we get to the estimates I gave before —

Then add to this the reality that it may take up to a year for the full benefit of the minoxidil to be realized.