Used minoxidil 5% for a year with INCREDIBLE results. For the first time in my life I was able to grow my hair long, and the results were noticeble enough for people to comment on my hair. Thinking I had it all under control I switched to 2% planning on gradually stopping using it. WORST decision ever. My hair loss came back a month after switching and it took me a few months to realize it was because of it. Now I'm switching back again to 5% and hoping to reverse the loss one more time. Thank you for disclaiming it can be used long-term, as I thought I could only use it for a short period of time.
@Anglie777 yes it did. Not too bad, but definitely noticeable. To be fully honest, for the results I got later after using it for 6+ months, the initial fallout was soooo worth it!
@@klau_wi Thank you for your honesty,I don’t have hereditary hair loss but I was thinking of starting it because my hair is thin naturally but when I came to know about the initial fall out I got bothered a little .My hair is already healthy so I was balancing the merits and the demerits.What fo you think.?Does it worth the risk …
@Anglie777 well it's very individual. For me it was worth it, and the initial fallout wasn't too bad in my case, but I think it's very different for each person. But like I said i my main comment, all the effects were gone when I stopped using it. So, as this YT video states, it's a lifelong process, which is also something you should consider before starting the treatment.
Just started using minoxidil 2 days ago. I haven't seen or heard anywhere it was toxic to cats. THANK YOU for the warning. My 15yr old fur kid sleeps right next to my head at night.
Let me get this straight are you saying that you are choosing your cat over your own personal confidence as a woman to have hair that can be grown with a known ingredient. I'm sorry but I don't understand why you would choose your cat over your personal hair loss which is extremely depressing
@@Lisa-ux4wp She didn't say she was choosing her cat over herself. She just said she was thankful to be aware of the effects on cats and will probably not allow the cat to sleep on or near her hair. I guess you've never had a pet.
So I’m 30years old and I’ve always had very thin hair since I could remember. It wasn’t until I moved to Arizona where I noticed how brittle my hair had gotten and my part was wider then normal, my fiancé told me that he could see my scalp and I was so embarressed that I’ve done everything the internet has said to do. I’ve gotten shower filters,silk pillowcases,hair turbans,little to no heat, no hair dyes for 2 years, tried vegamour, prenatals, biotin gummies.. nothing has worked. I’ve had my blood tested everything came back fine. I’ve used rosemary oil and castor oil, I just don’t understand why this is happening to me and it’s devastating and I’m always so paranoid that everyone sees how terrible my hair thinness is. I started looking into minoxidil as a last stitch effort but am terrified to shed more hair. I’m thinking at this point what else is there left so I may have to try this and see if it really works. Wondering which is more effective topical or oral as I do have a sensitive scalp and I don’t like to wash my hair everyday.
I would say to give minoxidil a try 👍 I'm a woman and i've started it two weeks ago after 10 years of gradually loosing hair, i've tried so many products like you and had people gaslight me and telling me my hair was ok when the pictures i have of myself when i was 20 and now that i'm almost 30 speak for themselves! I also have underlying conditions that i'm taking care of. Considering the little experience i have i don't think minoxidil makes the hair look overly greasy, after you apply it the hair looks a little wet, but in the morning it's fine (maybe a little "waxy"). You should try using it for a year or so and take pictures to see if there's any result!
Same. Girl, I feel you. It took me until 39 to realize that my already thin hair is thinning even more 😢 I started minoxidil this summer... It's kind of working but I realize that it's going to take YEARS before those tiny hairs that are not falling are going to be of any sufficient length to actually cover my hairline
I use topical minoxidil and have been using it for a few years now. It has helped very much. I had a lot of thinning and scalp showing. After a couple of months I noticed there were less places to apply the product. Thank you for the informative videos.
I hope the one explaining about the application or use of minoxidil talks slow.i hardly understood what she said. Im looking for a video that talks real slow so ill be able to get it😅
@@busterdoggy5389 hair transplants are much more quicker and guaranteed to work. i would say minoxidil is great to help with thinning and sparse areas and to help maintain hair overtime, and hair transplants are great for larger, balding areas, and for someone looking for faster, grander results. the thing with hair loss is that there are so many factors that can contribute to hair loss that getting to the root (pun intended😏) of the problem can be near impossible, and finding a solution that’s effective for you specifically is equally as difficult. there’s not all that much research, or at least proven studies, behind hair loss/growth. what works for one person to fix their hair loss may not work for another. (for example, there’s limited evidence being rosemary oil being effective for hair growth and it still needs a lot more research to be proven, but a lot of people do claim it and hair oiling in general works for them) also, the body changes and what may work at one point can stop working. so, with that being said, the best and most effective way to approach hair loss is to try targeting your areas of concern from multiple angles with multiple treatments (like try using different hair care products designed for hair loss all at once, minoxidil, hair growth serum, stimulating hair growth daily, scalp care, diet, hair oiling&rosemary oil, being gentle with hair to prevent breakage (brushing gently from ends to root, using heat protection before heat styling, not doing tight hairstyles, sleeping with hair in a loose bun or braids with a silk scrunchie, silk bonnet, & silk pillowcase, etc.) and slowly (like over the course of several months) taking away specific treatments (if you want to, at least. imo if whatever i’m doing is working then i’m keeping everything the exact same lol) and narrowing down what exactly is effective. thing is, it can be multiple different things at once working together that’s effective so it’s worth giving it all a shot. and i assume you watched the video, but as for minoxidil- it is the best proven treatment we have for hair loss, but even then it isn’t always effective for everyone. there’s also the risk of side effects. wherever you apply it will stimulate hair growth, so you have to be precise with application. and it is super toxic to cats so as a cat owner, that definitely can make you wary of it. but the biggest thing for most people is that you have to apply it daily to really get results, and even then it can take months and months to see any noticeable changes. so you have to be very patient and committed to daily application for… indefinitely, because as soon as you stop your daily application, whatever progress you’ve made will go away. so, those facts are intimidating for a lot of people and they feel that’s not worth it. however, i do think it is worth it if hair loss is weighing on you and if you understand that no matter which approach you take to hair loss, it will take a lot of time and commitment… and also minoxidil is the best proven. but with hair transplants, a lot of people want to take a less invasive approach. so, it’s ultimately up to you and what you’re looking for. also, sorry if i repeated a lot of what she said in the video, i watched it two months ago so my memory of what she goes over in it is blurry lol. anyways, hope this helps!
Please consider a video discussing the various oral options, side effects and if using oral with topical Minoxidil provides an additive effect. Thank you so much for creating such informative videos.
Thank you Dr. Ellis! I have been using it now for a little over a year with really good results. I also have a red light helmet and Nutrafol in my arsenal and I find they have all worked very well for me.
Hello. I recently began oral minoxidil . I’d love you to do a video on it. Two questions: should I continue topical minoxidil together with the pills and how long does it take to start working?
My husband is using Minoxidil 5% since a year and it is effective to grow hair on bald fore head and crown area. It should be started in time, consistency and patience is the key with good balanced diet. He used Traya minoxidil from India.
Good video! It's nice to see something to the point and without much fluff. I think it'd be awesome if you did a video on skin care for us men, realistically we're unlikely to use as many products but I still would like a healthy skin, so maybe knowing the bare minimum will help get us started? It's hard to know the difference between cream, lotion, moisturizer etc. Just a thought, keep it up!
This is a very good video with great information. My derm suggested minoxidil but I'm not sure about it because of the fact that it's a lifelong commitment, and I struggled to use the Clobetasol regularly enough to heal the inflammation.
I'm 25, female. Been shedding hair for about 8 months and my doctor said minoxidil is the only way i can stop my AGA. But I'm super worried about the dread shed phase. How much hair will i lose? Will i go near bald for that period of time? I used to have perfect hair like bollywood actors and even with this horrible shedding i still have good amount of hair on my head. I don't know what to expect. Please help me.
After experiencing headaches I stopped taking topical Minoxidil and started taking oral Minoxidil which is way better and I do not feel any side effects.
I had that Alopecia Ariata back in 1996 & saw a Dermatologist and got a salve at the time for it. She prescribed Diprolene ointment & my hair came back. The topical medication helps me as I have always had a problem swallowing pills. So unless I can crush them, etc. I won’t take it. Thank you for also telling us about using the store minoxidil. ❤
I've tried Minoxidil and was unaware that it is a life long treatment. I've been using bond shampoo and conditioner that had helped me in the past. I switch off and on with a pre poo and a deep conditioning treatment. When using the shampoo and conditioner I haven't had a much fallout as I had before using it. I also started massaging my scalp and use the Minoxidil on my eyebrows as I can't seem to grow them in places I've been plucking for years. It seems to help, and I also had a scar thru one of my eyebrows that Minoxidil had helped. Idk if I should continue to use it on my scalp or abort mission. I don't have severe hair loss, just thinning in places I've not had thinning before, like my part, sides of my hair by the temple, and the front of my hairline. Do you recommend that I continue to use the Minoxidil? If so, you recommend putting it on 4 hours before taking a shower and not sleeping in it? I wash my hair 1-2 times a week.
@DrSamEllis Thank you for all the information! I have a question here: what do you mean by "system"? If minoxidil is affecting hair growth and the hair follicles are located in the dermis and subcutis, it means that it already gets absorbed in vascularized tissues (and the hair shaft is vascularized by the papillary blood supply), not mentioning the lymphatic system. This shouldn't mean that minoxidil gets absorbed by the blood/lymphatic vessels and goes around the body anyway? And maybe just some people gets side effects for some other reason? These are genuine questions, not meant to criticize. Just curious about it!
Dr Ellis, I wash my hair twice a week and have played with the use of Minoxidil. I find the stickiness and stiffness of the product to be a problem in styling my hair. Is there a solution? I am a woman and unfamiliar with oral Minoxidil. What are the side effects? Thank you.
Can minoxidil be used for hair loss prevention? I only have a small amount loss but I'd like to start using it to prevent more! Also, can it be used on the eyebrows and eyelashes? What is the difference between minoxidil and other items specifically sold for growth in the eyebrow or eyelashes. Also, I am hearing about people discovering hair on their face while while using minoxidil. Any comments on this?? thank you for your station❤
Please talk about oral minoxidil. I have used topical minoxidil for a decade, but my dermatologist just switched me to oral instead. I like that my hair isn’t sticky and dry now. I hope it works as well.
Just watched video and it addressed many concerns I have. You said not to use the product the night before getting hair colored. Is it safe to use the night of the coloring, or should I wait longer? Thanks for your help.
My daughter, who is 26, started experiencing a lot of hair shedding and has a lot more scalp showing. Her whole life she has had very thick hair. This started after a very emotionally trying time in her life. In your experience, what would be typical time frame for rebounding from hair loss caused by extreme stress? I guess I’m asking will her hair most likely revert back to normal growth after something like this or should she be looking at topical treatments? It’s been about 3 to 4 months since the emotional stress she went through. Obviously she would need to see her own physician if things don’t turn around, but I guess I’m just asking to be able to give her some idea of what can be expected if hair shedding is due to emotional stress as compared to other sources of hair loss. Thank you for any insights you might have.
If there was a specific emotional event, then it likely is Telogen Effluvium caused by extreme stress. That usually grows back once the stressor has been resolved/emotions have been leveled. I always had beautiful, big curly hair. I got Covid severely and then Telogen Effluvium. I kept going through bouts of it, and have much thinner hair than I used to, sadly. Your daughter should see a dermatologist and maybe start treatments asap. I wish I was told that time is hair back then, because maybe I would have had the ability to regrow most of what I lost. I waited for two years for my hair to come back, and it never fully did. I now use Rogaine, and am still pretty thin. I come from a family of women with thinning hair. So if your hair is thin, TE could have brought the AGA out sooner, which is what happened to me. Best advice is to 1, see a dermatologist asap, 2, start whatever treatment they prescribe asap.
@@LindseyObrooke I am so sorry to hear you have had lasting effects from COVID! Thank you for sharing your experience and the advice that time is hair! Best wishes!
I'm wondering how often can you go between hair washes when using. Some folks wash their hair once a week so could they still do that while using the minoxidil?
I just bought the 2% today. I wasn't sure which one I should get (I bought before I watched your video), but decided to start low in case of any allergic reaction or side effect. If all goes well with 2%, I'll probably increase to 5% next purchase. Great video. Answered all my question.
I stopped using minoxidil after my initial round. My hair still grew regardless because I was experiencing telogen effluvium. My scalp got healthier. Now I’m experiencing it again due to mold toxicity. 😭 going to intervene once again and hoping my hair can bounce back :)
Hi Dr. Sam Ellis what do you think about the speculation that minoxidil may affect collagen synthesis and hence contribute to skin aging in affecting facial skin. I have serious hair shedding but reading about this makes me worried, if you could help clarify that would be great
Thank you for the information about side effects. I must take aspirin daily as post stroke therapy and I am prone to low blood pressure as well. Previously, a dermatologist recommended minoxidil for my hypothyroidism, but she did not discuss any potential side effects. I will just learn to live with thinning hair.
There are other options besides Minoxydil - (Rogaine OTC). Perhaps you can look into them: Nutrafil ($200- 3 mo supply), Red light hat. (Costco -$500, Dermatoligist -$1,000), Microneedling - $100-300 area & PRP Microneedling =$1,000 ++. These are the options my Dermatologist gave me this week -Jan. 2024, re: my thinning hair - which is genetic -male/female pattern baldness These are Long Island, NY prices so they should be way cheaper in many other areas of USA . I had blood work done as well and my hormones proved normal, hence, it's genetic. I'm 62 female and hair thinning for about 8 years. (I was recently diagnosed with hypothyroid and put on Synthroid, but my hair won't grow back). I hope this helps because the sooner, the better.
I was diagnosed with bladder cancer 7 months ago, 2 cycles of Gem Cis chemo 6months ago and surgery 3 months ago. I was warned my hair might thin and as you have explained in your excellent vlogs I have ‘suddenly’ noticed it. Could I use minoxidil now to improve things? It might have been useful if I’d started a few months back but I really was more concerned with everything else at the time.
Dear Doctor, a doctor prescribed this topical solution for my daughter who is 15 years. Is this worth for her. 1. As u said it is to be used for life. 2. Will this have effect on healthy hair.
Thank you for the video. Knowledge is power. I am experiencing some all over hair fall. So my long hair is becoming sparse so to speak. May have been happening for a few mnths gradually but really hitting me past 3 weeks. Doc prescribed monox 5%. Im scared of the more hair loss. Got bloodwork done to check thyroid issues cuz im stumped by this. I had covid last fall. Idk if that changed something. Im reading as much as i can. Plus washing more often to get product out may stress my hair more. Im apprehensive abt this seeing side effects. But ive seen positive results. If i could hide in my house all day til worst was over, well that'd fine but.....
Dr Ellis, Hope your well. Can my 15 year son use the topical one. Hair is really thinning. We have tested blood 6 months apart all within reference ranges, iron, Thyroid level all ok too....
So do i have to rinse out my hair after it dries to my scalp? Or can i let it sit there without rinse out until the day i wash my hair? I normally wash my hair twice a week.
I have had estrogen receptive breat cancer, and the medication (letrozole) has made my already thin hair thinner. Can I use minoxidil given breast cancer?
Within a day of using Minoxidil, I develop red dry itchy scalp with acne-like bumps. Tried both strengths and same effects. Can’t use it and so upset. Can’t use the ordinary serum one without it either - same reaction but 3-4 days later.
Thank you for doing this video! I don’t use it but I definitely know now what to do if my hair starts falling. Also thanks for the information about the cats, didn’t know it was poisonous for them and I happen to have a cat that loves to softly bite your scalp, cleaning your hair and sleeping on it so… yeah, useful 😻
Thank you for a very informative video. I take a light aspirin before bed, and usually apply minoxidil then as well (but will try to do it two hours before bed). Do you believe this could lessen the efficacy of the minoxidil, and would it be better if I took the aspirin in the morning?
Great video! Clear and thorough. I have hair loss at my temples. I noticed it after nursing all 3 of my children. But it wasn’t until my last little one that it never healed. I have hair but it breaks and only has about a few inches and you can see my scalp. I have the minoxidil in my cabinet for about 2 months now, just because I was unsure how to properly use it and any pitfalls I may encounter. I’m going to start today 2 hours before bed and get it into my nighttime routine. Thanks!!!
Can I use it on wet hair if I’m letting my hair air dry? I usually let my hair air dry at night and then thro a few curls in it the next morning. By then, it should have done it’s job over night, right? Plus, the curling iron doesn’t touch my scalp where the product will be applied. I just have such a greasy scalp and using it on wet hair would be much more ideal
Thank you for the practical tips. I'm getting ready to start minoxidil but I am nervous about it. I often feel light-headed and dizzy and I am worried I will have that side effect or that I will have facial hair growth. But I am going through a very difficult time that is not going to end any time soon and my previously thick hair is very thin and I keep losing more and more. My dermatologist thinks minoxidil will help so I am going to start it on Wednesday. The only way to find out if I have these side effects is to give it a whirl, I guess.
@@SpaceCadetLaC Sorry, I didn't see this until now. Everything is good with it so far. No side effects, the excessive hair loss is gone and I have a lot of new hair coming in. I use the 5% topical liquid once per day every day. My derm said my hair loss was caused by stress, the condition is called telogen effluvium, and the minoxidil has stopped the hair loss even though my stress has not diminished in any way so I am to keep using it. I don't have any problems or complaints about it.
@@Dream7773 So far so good! The excessive hair loss is gone now and I have a lot of new hair coming in. My derm originally diagnosed my hair loss as telogen effluvium, which can happen in times of great stress, and he said it has improved so I am to keep using the minoxidil. I use the 5% topical liquid (not foam) once per day every day and I don't have any side effects like dizziness or facial hair. I wish I'd started it sooner.
Am I understanding the use correctly. You would apply this about 2 hours before bedtime then you rinse it off? I am not clear on whether it is rinsed off or left on all night. Does it need to be washed off as in a shampoo or just rinsed with water. I am thinking of trying this but need more clarification. Also I will be going on vacation at the end of June. Is it wise to start it now or wait since you mentioned the dred shed?
I am not sure if anyone will see this comment but I found the video very informative and was wondering how many months/weeks before planning pregnancy should one discontinue minoxidil? I (female) was recently advised by my doc to use minoxidil for my hair loss but I also got married recently.
Hi I’m going to star the foam minoxidil and have a couple of areas , do I use a half of a capful for each area or a half capful for all areas combined? So once a day is sufficient? Thank you Betsy
I recently 3 months ago started on topical Minoxidil 7% and tretinoin 0.0125% for hair loss and I apply at night to my temple area. I have not noticed a change as yet. I did start on Spironolactone 100mg for the last 5 years for cystic acne and my hair is at its longest so hoping the combination will fix the thinning and loss at the front. I did see some heavy flaking, similar to the face with tretinoin and the derm suggested I apply a moisturizer every few days which works well. If I see a result in the next year I will go to just basic Minoxidil from Costco going forward. Thanks for the great video.
Hi I have a question about minoxidle. I have no hair loss but I got a bad haircut so I'm desperate to grow out my hair as fast as I can. Would minoxidil work for this and would it be safe to use on a healthy scalp?
I know is quite a long shot to ask you here in the comments section but I try it anyhow maybe somebody else knows the answer. I switched after 3 months of using 5% twice a day to use it once a day to reduce the side effects (unwanted facial hair growth and hair loss) do you think is something okay to do without deprecating the results I already achieved? Thank you for the really informative video!
Mrs even though my hair line was receding a little from the edges, I did something stupid and used minoxidil for 3 weeks and now the hair in those areas has thinned, I said okay, I will use it, but then I learned that I had to use it for life, then I was uncomfortable with this situation and stopped taking the medicine. Will the parts lost by the medicine grow back?
@@DrSamEllis, thank you for mentioning cats. This is why I’m afraid to try it. I’ve heard cats can die is they are just exposed to a pillowcase or hat that has touched a head with minoxidil on it. Is this true? It sounds too scary.
QUESTION - If your eyebrows are negligable and you want them thicker...can you put some Rogaine on your fngertips and rub it over your eyebrows? (Of course, being very careful of your eyes, etc.etc.)
Used minoxidil 5% for a year with INCREDIBLE results. For the first time in my life I was able to grow my hair long, and the results were noticeble enough for people to comment on my hair. Thinking I had it all under control I switched to 2% planning on gradually stopping using it. WORST decision ever. My hair loss came back a month after switching and it took me a few months to realize it was because of it. Now I'm switching back again to 5% and hoping to reverse the loss one more time. Thank you for disclaiming it can be used long-term, as I thought I could only use it for a short period of time.
Sorry,but did it cause hair fall in the beginning.?some people says it makes the older weaker hair falls out in order to grow new stronger one.
@Anglie777 yes it did. Not too bad, but definitely noticeable. To be fully honest, for the results I got later after using it for 6+ months, the initial fallout was soooo worth it!
@@klau_wi Thank you for your honesty,I don’t have hereditary hair loss but I was thinking of starting it because my hair is thin naturally but when I came to know about the initial fall out I got bothered a little .My hair is already healthy so I was balancing the merits and the demerits.What fo you think.?Does it worth the risk …
@Anglie777 well it's very individual. For me it was worth it, and the initial fallout wasn't too bad in my case, but I think it's very different for each person. But like I said i my main comment, all the effects were gone when I stopped using it. So, as this YT video states, it's a lifelong process, which is also something you should consider before starting the treatment.
@@klau_wi Great ,thanks alot for your response.
Yeah, I am using it for 9 months now and I have got some good results. Alhamduillah
Really did you grow new hair plz reply
@@user-ox5gq8rx1b Yes. I'm using it continuously and it is giving me a good result. Alhamdulillah
Just started using minoxidil 2 days ago. I haven't seen or heard anywhere it was toxic to cats. THANK YOU for the warning. My 15yr old fur kid sleeps right next to my head at night.
hows it going?
works or not?
💀
Let me get this straight are you saying that you are choosing your cat over your own personal confidence as a woman to have hair that can be grown with a known ingredient. I'm sorry but I don't understand why you would choose your cat over your personal hair loss which is extremely depressing
@@Lisa-ux4wp She didn't say she was choosing her cat over herself. She just said she was thankful to be aware of the effects on cats and will probably not allow the cat to sleep on or near her hair. I guess you've never had a pet.
So I’m 30years old and I’ve always had very thin hair since I could remember. It wasn’t until I moved to Arizona where I noticed how brittle my hair had gotten and my part was wider then normal, my fiancé told me that he could see my scalp and I was so embarressed that I’ve done everything the internet has said to do. I’ve gotten shower filters,silk pillowcases,hair turbans,little to no heat, no hair dyes for 2 years, tried vegamour, prenatals, biotin gummies.. nothing has worked. I’ve had my blood tested everything came back fine. I’ve used rosemary oil and castor oil, I just don’t understand why this is happening to me and it’s devastating and I’m always so paranoid that everyone sees how terrible my hair thinness is. I started looking into minoxidil as a last stitch effort but am terrified to shed more hair. I’m thinking at this point what else is there left so I may have to try this and see if it really works. Wondering which is more effective topical or oral as I do have a sensitive scalp and I don’t like to wash my hair everyday.
I would say to give minoxidil a try 👍 I'm a woman and i've started it two weeks ago after 10 years of gradually loosing hair, i've tried so many products like you and had people gaslight me and telling me my hair was ok when the pictures i have of myself when i was 20 and now that i'm almost 30 speak for themselves! I also have underlying conditions that i'm taking care of.
Considering the little experience i have i don't think minoxidil makes the hair look overly greasy, after you apply it the hair looks a little wet, but in the morning it's fine (maybe a little "waxy"). You should try using it for a year or so and take pictures to see if there's any result!
Same. Girl, I feel you. It took me until 39 to realize that my already thin hair is thinning even more 😢 I started minoxidil this summer... It's kind of working but I realize that it's going to take YEARS before those tiny hairs that are not falling are going to be of any sufficient length to actually cover my hairline
Appreciate your thorough and informative delivery without annoying music or yelling at us! 😂
I use topical minoxidil and have been using it for a few years now. It has helped very much. I had a lot of thinning and scalp showing. After a couple of months I noticed there were less places to apply the product. Thank you for the informative videos.
I hope the one explaining about the application or use of minoxidil talks slow.i hardly understood what she said. Im looking for a video that talks real slow so ill be able to get it😅
@@dottiedasilva8488 Fun fact, you can go to the video settings and select the playback speed as 0.75x so it sounds a bit slower.
you can slow down the speed of the video if you go to settings if you didn’t know
why do people do hair transplants if they could just use minoxidil? I'm thinking about getting it
@@busterdoggy5389 hair transplants are much more quicker and guaranteed to work. i would say minoxidil is great to help with thinning and sparse areas and to help maintain hair overtime, and hair transplants are great for larger, balding areas, and for someone looking for faster, grander results. the thing with hair loss is that there are so many factors that can contribute to hair loss that getting to the root (pun intended😏) of the problem can be near impossible, and finding a solution that’s effective for you specifically is equally as difficult. there’s not all that much research, or at least proven studies, behind hair loss/growth. what works for one person to fix their hair loss may not work for another. (for example, there’s limited evidence being rosemary oil being effective for hair growth and it still needs a lot more research to be proven, but a lot of people do claim it and hair oiling in general works for them) also, the body changes and what may work at one point can stop working. so, with that being said, the best and most effective way to approach hair loss is to try targeting your areas of concern from multiple angles with multiple treatments (like try using different hair care products designed for hair loss all at once, minoxidil, hair growth serum, stimulating hair growth daily, scalp care, diet, hair oiling&rosemary oil, being gentle with hair to prevent breakage (brushing gently from ends to root, using heat protection before heat styling, not doing tight hairstyles, sleeping with hair in a loose bun or braids with a silk scrunchie, silk bonnet, & silk pillowcase, etc.) and slowly (like over the course of several months) taking away specific treatments (if you want to, at least. imo if whatever i’m doing is working then i’m keeping everything the exact same lol) and narrowing down what exactly is effective. thing is, it can be multiple different things at once working together that’s effective so it’s worth giving it all a shot. and i assume you watched the video, but as for minoxidil- it is the best proven treatment we have for hair loss, but even then it isn’t always effective for everyone. there’s also the risk of side effects. wherever you apply it will stimulate hair growth, so you have to be precise with application. and it is super toxic to cats so as a cat owner, that definitely can make you wary of it. but the biggest thing for most people is that you have to apply it daily to really get results, and even then it can take months and months to see any noticeable changes. so you have to be very patient and committed to daily application for… indefinitely, because as soon as you stop your daily application, whatever progress you’ve made will go away. so, those facts are intimidating for a lot of people and they feel that’s not worth it. however, i do think it is worth it if hair loss is weighing on you and if you understand that no matter which approach you take to hair loss, it will take a lot of time and commitment… and also minoxidil is the best proven. but with hair transplants, a lot of people want to take a less invasive approach. so, it’s ultimately up to you and what you’re looking for. also, sorry if i repeated a lot of what she said in the video, i watched it two months ago so my memory of what she goes over in it is blurry lol. anyways, hope this helps!
kirkland minoxidil is solid as well. and really affordable.
Please consider a video discussing the various oral options, side effects and if using oral with topical Minoxidil provides an additive effect. Thank you so much for creating such informative videos.
Agreed!
Yes! I’m interested in oral route as well!
Me too. I am on 2.5 mg daily. Hair growth elsewhere (where?) is a side effect?
Please!!!
Yes! Eager to know more about this also. Particularly oral minoxidil as I’ve heard great things.
Thank you Dr. Ellis! I have been using it now for a little over a year with really good results. I also have a red light helmet and Nutrafol in my arsenal and I find they have all worked very well for me.
Hiii, I have using minoxidil sinces 2 days and my dermatologist suggest me for red light therapy, is this worth it ?
I am 32 years old now and suffering from hair loss. If I decide to try minoxidil now, does it means I cannot stop until I die?
How about a video about the other hair growth options?
This was very informative-thank you for taking the time to make this video.
Please do more videos on treating hair loss. You mention other options at the end of the video and I’m curious about what those are. Thanks!
Hello. I recently began oral minoxidil . I’d love you to do a video on it. Two questions: should I continue topical minoxidil together with the pills and how long does it take to start working?
I also have this question. I’ve been using both
My husband is using Minoxidil 5% since a year and it is effective to grow hair on bald fore head and crown area. It should be started in time, consistency and patience is the key with good balanced diet. He used Traya minoxidil from India.
I'll definitely try it. I was sceptical but this presentation made me confident. Thank you so much
I can’t stop looking at your beautiful face. Thank you for helping.
Oh, I would love a video on oral minoxidil. Thx !
I learned so much. Thanks for making this video.
Good video! It's nice to see something to the point and without much fluff.
I think it'd be awesome if you did a video on skin care for us men, realistically we're unlikely to use as many products but I still would like a healthy skin, so maybe knowing the bare minimum will help get us started? It's hard to know the difference between cream, lotion, moisturizer etc. Just a thought, keep it up!
Stay tuned for next week 😉
While waiting for Dr. Ellis' video, Dr Daniel Sugai did a recent men's skincare video.
I would love to know more about the other options you mentioned for pregnancy. Great video!
Did you get good options to consume instead of minoxidil during pregnancy?
@@mypeacezonee sorry, no
Your videos are really valuable and I am so glad I found your site.
You're the best Dr.🎉
Great video! Very informative! Thank you!
This is a very good video with great information. My derm suggested minoxidil but I'm not sure about it because of the fact that it's a lifelong commitment, and I struggled to use the Clobetasol regularly enough to heal the inflammation.
Because hair loss is an ongoing issue...so is hair restoration. Makes sense from that perspecticve
I’ve been using minoxidil, with a dropper for 7 weeks and I can see the growth in the short temple hairs and thicker throughout the scalp 👍
Thank you for this very informative video. You give the facts and explain this very well. Yours is the best, most concise video on you tube
Thank you doctor. Very good information. Thank you so much.
I'm 25, female. Been shedding hair for about 8 months and my doctor said minoxidil is the only way i can stop my AGA. But I'm super worried about the dread shed phase. How much hair will i lose? Will i go near bald for that period of time? I used to have perfect hair like bollywood actors and even with this horrible shedding i still have good amount of hair on my head. I don't know what to expect. Please help me.
After experiencing headaches I stopped taking topical Minoxidil and started taking oral Minoxidil which is way better and I do not feel any side effects.
Great video. I’m looking into it. Thank you
What alternatives are there to Minoxidil when pregnant/breastfeeding, please? ♥️
VERY informative. Thank you!❤
I had that Alopecia Ariata back in 1996 & saw a Dermatologist and got a salve at the time for it. She prescribed Diprolene ointment & my hair came back. The topical medication helps me as I have always had a problem swallowing pills. So unless I can crush them, etc. I won’t take it. Thank you for also telling us about using the store minoxidil. ❤
Thanks for the video, great tips, incl. do’s and donts. Is it safe to combine it with rosemary mint oil?
Great Explanation thank you so much! By the way you're so gorgeous!
Great vid, thank you for the information x
You are great!!! Thank you so much
Oh my did I learn a lot. Thank you for sharing
The main drawback of using minoxidil is that you should wash your hair every day and it really sucks when you go to the office every cold morning😢
I like the foam it goes further more spread
I've tried Minoxidil and was unaware that it is a life long treatment. I've been using bond shampoo and conditioner that had helped me in the past. I switch off and on with a pre poo and a deep conditioning treatment. When using the shampoo and conditioner I haven't had a much fallout as I had before using it. I also started massaging my scalp and use the Minoxidil on my eyebrows as I can't seem to grow them in places I've been plucking for years. It seems to help, and I also had a scar thru one of my eyebrows that Minoxidil had helped. Idk if I should continue to use it on my scalp or abort mission. I don't have severe hair loss, just thinning in places I've not had thinning before, like my part, sides of my hair by the temple, and the front of my hairline. Do you recommend that I continue to use the Minoxidil? If so, you recommend putting it on 4 hours before taking a shower and not sleeping in it? I wash my hair 1-2 times a week.
Thank you for detailed information! I'm thinking of starting minoxidil
Thank you. Very helpful😊
11:42 What are these other hair growth topicals what are safe during child bearing years?
What do you think about Nutraful scalp serum?
@DrSamEllis Thank you for all the information! I have a question here: what do you mean by "system"? If minoxidil is affecting hair growth and the hair follicles are located in the dermis and subcutis, it means that it already gets absorbed in vascularized tissues (and the hair shaft is vascularized by the papillary blood supply), not mentioning the lymphatic system. This shouldn't mean that minoxidil gets absorbed by the blood/lymphatic vessels and goes around the body anyway? And maybe just some people gets side effects for some other reason? These are genuine questions, not meant to criticize. Just curious about it!
I just choked on my water hahaha “I don’t think a lot people have their cats going around and licking their scalp.” Hahahaha amazing
If I told you my cat likes to lick my hair to wake me up in the mornings...
Do you only apply this product to the affected area or to the entire scalp?
Dr Ellis, I wash my hair twice a week and have played with the use of Minoxidil. I find the stickiness and stiffness of the product to be a problem in styling my hair. Is there a solution?
I am a woman and unfamiliar with oral Minoxidil. What are the side effects? Thank you.
Your hair color really suits you! I love your videos!! What eyeshadow & lipstick are you using? It's beautiful! 😊
Watching from India❤
I used it about 6 years ago when I had thinning hair stopped after 4 months and just now starting hair thinning again so it’s wild
Can minoxidil be used for hair loss prevention? I only have a small amount loss but I'd like to start using it to prevent more! Also, can it be used on the eyebrows and eyelashes? What is the difference between minoxidil and other items specifically sold for growth in the eyebrow or eyelashes. Also, I am hearing about people discovering hair on their face while while using minoxidil. Any comments on this?? thank you for your station❤
Hello! Would you please consider doing a video on Redensyl, Procapil, Baicapil?
Please talk about oral minoxidil. I have used topical minoxidil for a decade, but my dermatologist just switched me to oral instead. I like that my hair isn’t sticky and dry now. I hope it works as well.
Just watched video and it addressed many concerns I have. You said not to use the product the night before getting hair colored. Is it safe to use the night of the coloring, or should I wait longer? Thanks for your help.
My daughter, who is 26, started experiencing a lot of hair shedding and has a lot more scalp showing. Her whole life she has had very thick hair. This started after a very emotionally trying time in her life. In your experience, what would be typical time frame for rebounding from hair loss caused by extreme stress? I guess I’m asking will her hair most likely revert back to normal growth after something like this or should she be looking at topical treatments? It’s been about 3 to 4 months since the emotional stress she went through. Obviously she would need to see her own physician if things don’t turn around, but I guess I’m just asking to be able to give her some idea of what can be expected if hair shedding is due to emotional stress as compared to other sources of hair loss. Thank you for any insights you might have.
If there was a specific emotional event, then it likely is Telogen Effluvium caused by extreme stress. That usually grows back once the stressor has been resolved/emotions have been leveled. I always had beautiful, big curly hair. I got Covid severely and then Telogen Effluvium. I kept going through bouts of it, and have much thinner hair than I used to, sadly. Your daughter should see a dermatologist and maybe start treatments asap. I wish I was told that time is hair back then, because maybe I would have had the ability to regrow most of what I lost. I waited for two years for my hair to come back, and it never fully did. I now use Rogaine, and am still pretty thin. I come from a family of women with thinning hair. So if your hair is thin, TE could have brought the AGA out sooner, which is what happened to me. Best advice is to 1, see a dermatologist asap, 2, start whatever treatment they prescribe asap.
@@LindseyObrooke I am so sorry to hear you have had lasting effects from COVID! Thank you for sharing your experience and the advice that time is hair! Best wishes!
I'm wondering how often can you go between hair washes when using. Some folks wash their hair once a week so could they still do that while using the minoxidil?
I also wash only once/week but now I wash 2x/week now that I'm using Rogaine 2x/day. (Fluid, not the foam)
@@pt0407 do you see results? I shower daily but I’m worried about a camping trip for 3 days. With my lash serum, skipping 3 days causes full shedding
Hi! Love your channel! Is the oral option just as effective?
I just bought the 2% today. I wasn't sure which one I should get (I bought before I watched your video), but decided to start low in case of any allergic reaction or side effect. If all goes well with 2%, I'll probably increase to 5% next purchase. Great video. Answered all my question.
2% barely has any effect! and 5% isnt dangerous at all so you might as well use the 5%
I stopped using minoxidil after my initial round. My hair still grew regardless because I was experiencing telogen effluvium. My scalp got healthier. Now I’m experiencing it again due to mold toxicity. 😭 going to intervene once again and hoping my hair can bounce back :)
Hi Dr. Sam Ellis what do you think about the speculation that minoxidil may affect collagen synthesis and hence contribute to skin aging in affecting facial skin. I have serious hair shedding but reading about this makes me worried, if you could help clarify that would be great
Never heard this before. Now I’m nervous!
Thank You for the video. Is it okay to use product like kabooki with this treatment?
Thank you for the information about side effects. I must take aspirin daily as post stroke therapy and I am prone to low blood pressure as well. Previously, a dermatologist recommended minoxidil for my hypothyroidism, but she did not discuss any potential side effects. I will just learn to live with thinning hair.
There are other options besides Minoxydil - (Rogaine OTC). Perhaps you can look into them: Nutrafil ($200- 3 mo supply), Red light hat. (Costco -$500, Dermatoligist -$1,000), Microneedling - $100-300 area & PRP Microneedling =$1,000 ++. These are the options my Dermatologist gave me this week -Jan. 2024, re: my thinning hair - which is genetic -male/female pattern baldness These are Long Island, NY prices so they should be way cheaper in many other areas of USA . I had blood work done as well and my hormones proved normal, hence, it's genetic. I'm 62 female and hair thinning for about 8 years. (I was recently diagnosed with hypothyroid and put on Synthroid, but my hair won't grow back). I hope this helps because the sooner, the better.
You can try out other solutions like rosemary oil, tho it is a bit slower
I was diagnosed with bladder cancer 7 months ago, 2 cycles of Gem Cis chemo 6months ago and surgery 3 months ago. I was warned my hair might thin and as you have explained in your excellent vlogs I have ‘suddenly’ noticed it. Could I use minoxidil now to improve things? It might have been useful if I’d started a few months back but I really was more concerned with everything else at the time.
also please discuss whether minoxidil can be effective to fix traction alopecia
Dear Doctor, a doctor prescribed this topical solution for my daughter who is 15 years. Is this worth for her. 1. As u said it is to be used for life. 2. Will this have effect on healthy hair.
Thank you for the video. Knowledge is power. I am experiencing some all over hair fall. So my long hair is becoming sparse so to speak. May have been happening for a few mnths gradually but really hitting me past 3 weeks. Doc prescribed monox 5%. Im scared of the more hair loss. Got bloodwork done to check thyroid issues cuz im stumped by this. I had covid last fall. Idk if that changed something. Im reading as much as i can. Plus washing more often to get product out may stress my hair more. Im apprehensive abt this seeing side effects. But ive seen positive results. If i could hide in my house all day til worst was over, well that'd fine but.....
Dr Ellis, Hope your well. Can my 15 year son use the topical one. Hair is really thinning. We have tested blood 6 months apart all within reference ranges, iron, Thyroid level all ok too....
Can you use it on your brows?
So do i have to rinse out my hair after it dries to my scalp? Or can i let it sit there without rinse out until the day i wash my hair? I normally wash my hair twice a week.
I have had estrogen receptive breat cancer, and the medication (letrozole) has made my already thin hair thinner. Can I use minoxidil given breast cancer?
So what happens if you stop minoxidil after let’s say 3 years?
Thanks 🥰
What she said in the video, you'll shed the hair it helped you to grow.
Within a day of using Minoxidil, I develop red dry itchy scalp with acne-like bumps. Tried both strengths and same effects. Can’t use it and so upset. Can’t use the ordinary serum one without it either - same reaction but 3-4 days later.
Did you try the foam verses the drops?
Thank you for doing this video! I don’t use it but I definitely know now what to do if my hair starts falling. Also thanks for the information about the cats, didn’t know it was poisonous for them and I happen to have a cat that loves to softly bite your scalp, cleaning your hair and sleeping on it so… yeah, useful 😻
Can you please talk about hair transplant for women? ❤
Thank you for a very informative video. I take a light aspirin before bed, and usually apply minoxidil then as well (but will try to do it two hours before bed). Do you believe this could lessen the efficacy of the minoxidil, and would it be better if I took the aspirin in the morning?
I just watched another video from another dermatologist that specifically warned against using aspirin as it can impact the result of minoxidil
Great video! Clear and thorough. I have hair loss at my temples. I noticed it after nursing all 3 of my children. But it wasn’t until my last little one that it never healed. I have hair but it breaks and only has about a few inches and you can see my scalp. I have the minoxidil in my cabinet for about 2 months now, just because I was unsure how to properly use it and any pitfalls I may encounter. I’m going to start today 2 hours before bed and get it into my nighttime routine. Thanks!!!
just wondering if you've noticed any new hair growth? I might purchase, thanks
I wonder how many words you can say in a minute. Wow. My boss had used minoxidil (an instructor and hairdresser) and he only grew peach fuzz.
Can I use it on wet hair if I’m letting my hair air dry? I usually let my hair air dry at night and then thro a few curls in it the next morning. By then, it should have done it’s job over night, right? Plus, the curling iron doesn’t touch my scalp where the product will be applied. I just have such a greasy scalp and using it on wet hair would be much more ideal
Can you make a video on finasteride? This video was so helpful thank you
Thank you for the practical tips. I'm getting ready to start minoxidil but I am nervous about it. I often feel light-headed and dizzy and I am worried I will have that side effect or that I will have facial hair growth. But I am going through a very difficult time that is not going to end any time soon and my previously thick hair is very thin and I keep losing more and more. My dermatologist thinks minoxidil will help so I am going to start it on Wednesday. The only way to find out if I have these side effects is to give it a whirl, I guess.
Updates?
??? Update
@@SpaceCadetLaC Sorry, I didn't see this until now. Everything is good with it so far. No side effects, the excessive hair loss is gone and I have a lot of new hair coming in. I use the 5% topical liquid once per day every day. My derm said my hair loss was caused by stress, the condition is called telogen effluvium, and the minoxidil has stopped the hair loss even though my stress has not diminished in any way so I am to keep using it. I don't have any problems or complaints about it.
@@Dream7773 So far so good! The excessive hair loss is gone now and I have a lot of new hair coming in. My derm originally diagnosed my hair loss as telogen effluvium, which can happen in times of great stress, and he said it has improved so I am to keep using the minoxidil. I use the 5% topical liquid (not foam) once per day every day and I don't have any side effects like dizziness or facial hair. I wish I'd started it sooner.
what about priorin? Can or should you use both and what is more effective?
Am I understanding the use correctly. You would apply this about 2 hours before bedtime then you rinse it off? I am not clear on whether it is rinsed off or left on all night. Does it need to be washed off as in a shampoo or just rinsed with water. I am thinking of trying this but need more clarification.
Also I will be going on vacation at the end of June. Is it wise to start it now or wait since you mentioned the dred shed?
I am not sure if anyone will see this comment but I found the video very informative and was wondering how many months/weeks before planning pregnancy should one discontinue minoxidil? I (female) was recently advised by my doc to use minoxidil for my hair loss but I also got married recently.
Hi I’m going to star the foam minoxidil and have a couple of areas , do I use a half of a capful for each area or a half capful for all areas combined? So once a day is sufficient? Thank you Betsy
I recently 3 months ago started on topical Minoxidil 7% and tretinoin 0.0125% for hair loss and I apply at night to my temple area. I have not noticed a change as yet. I did start on Spironolactone 100mg for the last 5 years for cystic acne and my hair is at its longest so hoping the combination will fix the thinning and loss at the front. I did see some heavy flaking, similar to the face with tretinoin and the derm suggested I apply a moisturizer every few days which works well. If I see a result in the next year I will go to just basic Minoxidil from Costco going forward. Thanks for the great video.
Hi I have a question about minoxidle. I have no hair loss but I got a bad haircut so I'm desperate to grow out my hair as fast as I can. Would minoxidil work for this and would it be safe to use on a healthy scalp?
I just taking oral minoxidil 2.5 & spironolactone 2wks ago. I am praying it works for my hair loss 🙂. Btw you look soooo pretty 😍.
Any updates ?
Could you update 😊
I know is quite a long shot to ask you here in the comments section but I try it anyhow maybe somebody else knows the answer. I switched after 3 months of using 5% twice a day to use it once a day to reduce the side effects (unwanted facial hair growth and hair loss) do you think is something okay to do without deprecating the results I already achieved? Thank you for the really informative video!
Dr Sam can you HELP? ☘️Im 35, combination skin , dehydrated, prone to clogging. Pleasee can you recommend one or two moisturisers for me?? 💚
Mrs even though my hair line was receding a little from the edges, I did something stupid and used minoxidil for 3 weeks and now the hair in those areas has thinned, I said okay, I will use it, but then I learned that I had to use it for life, then I was uncomfortable with this situation and stopped taking the medicine. Will the parts lost by the medicine grow back?
Hey Dr.Sam, will your skincare like ship to Canada soon? Would love to order all your products
Aw thank you! Always working toward international shipping!
Oral finasteride & oral minoxidil is the winning combo!
Great in the right patient!
@@DrSamEllis, thank you for mentioning cats. This is why I’m afraid to try it. I’ve heard cats can die is they are just exposed to a pillowcase or hat that has touched a head with minoxidil on it. Is this true? It sounds too scary.
QUESTION - If your eyebrows are negligable and you want them thicker...can you put some Rogaine on your fngertips and rub it over your eyebrows? (Of course, being very careful of your eyes, etc.etc.)
No answer 😢
Dr is safe for women use 5 / percentage or women needs to use 2 percentage thanks
I didnt even know you could get above 5% minoxidiil
Can I use oils for hair growth and other treatments like creams etc while using minoxidil as well
Very thorough! Thank you!