Shedding More After Starting Minoxidil

Dear Rassman,

First of all, let me thank you for the kind of attention you give to the balding community.

I have been told that I am suffering from MPB. As far as I can remember I first noticed it 6 years ago. I have used Fin and Minoxidil on and off but never more than 5-6 months and when I did, I never really paid much attention to the decline or progress due to the treatment. For the past year it has become rapid.

Since 4th Dec 2009 I have started a regular regime but I notice hair shedding from all over the head, obviously excluding the side and back of the head. I have a strong feeling it’s due to Minoxidil. I’m using the generic called Hair4u, indian make. Let me also tell u that earlier it was just the crown area(have miniaturised hair there but not very dense so my scalp shows distinctly)and had started in the temples as well. Now, its going from all over!!! It’s been almost 2 months but there’s only shedding no regrowth that I can notice. Please advise what to do.

It seems you are doing everything you can and if you stay on the minoxidil and finasteride on a regular basis for at least a year, you may see value for it. But genetic hair loss is what it is. As you said, you are shedding everywhere, excluding the sides and back of your scalp. This is classic genetic hair loss. Drugs such a finasteride and topical minoxidil will not stop the balding process completely. It may greatly postpone the balding process for some men, but it seems you are not in that category.

I have heard reports that minoxidil does cause some shedding initially (1-3 months). You may consider seeing a good doctor to get a full examination of your condition and do this properly with good baselines and a mapping of your scalp for miniaturization.