Scared About Possible Extra Unwanted Hair Growth from Women’s Rogaine

Dear Drs.

I am 55 and have been on Womens Rogaine for 5 weeks but the possible side effects have freaked me out! The crown and sides of my head are thinning. My doctor has prescribed Rogaine for Women. As of yet, I have not seen any side effects. Please tell me how I should be handling the application of the solution and all possible ways that the extra unwanted hair growth can occur. I wash my hands immediately after each application. If any drips on my face I wash. Once the solution has dried and I touch my hair do I need to wash my hands again? My hair seems to get so wet during applications and takes so long to dry. Am I applying the solution wrong? Also, after I wash my hair and it is still wet can I use styling gell, dry my hair, and then use the solution? Do I need to wash my hair before each application(morning and night)? I really want this medication to work because it is so embarrassing to have such thin hair. Thanks for your time and help.

There are some people who don’t bother to read instructions/labels on over the counter medication, and then there are others that read everything and every warning label. It seems you are the latter. Just go to your medicine cabinet and read all the side effects associated with aspirin, etc. If you use the medication as directed, you should have no problem. Also keep in mind that while Rogaine is a good medication and it works, it does not grow so much hair where you have to worry about growth on your palms just from touching it, though the absorption can cause hair growth elsewhere. Extra unwanted hair in women is a side effect of Rogaine, but as long as you use it as directed, you should be fine. If you let the Rogaine dry, applying product to your hair shouldn’t be a problem.

Perhaps if you are absorbing the drug and it is causing hair to grow where you do not want it, then you may have to stop the medication. Check with your doctor if that is the case.