Decades of use and plenty of evidence backs minoxidil as a legitimate hair loss treatment. But can minoxidil actually lead to full hair regrowth?
We won’t bury the lead. If you want the simplest answer, the answer is no. And if you’re looking for a miracle cure that can deliver results quickly and permanently, the answer is definitely no. To be frank, there isn’t a single option that currently exists in the hair treatment world that comes close to being a quick, easy fix.
That doesn’t mean minoxidil can make a real difference. In fact, with the right expectations and a good consistent routine, minoxidil has the potential to be a very successful treatment often. Nonetheless, we think it’s important that patients understand what it does, what it doesn’t do, and where it fits within the broader picture of hair loss treatment. Hence, today we’re going to be tackling some of the most common questions people ask when considering minoxidil.
Does Minoxidil Regrow Hair Permanently?
Minoxidil can stimulate hair regrowth, particularly in cases of androgenetic alopecia. The science behind this is fairly simple: Thicker, longer hair can be encouraged via improving blood flow to the scalp and extending the growth phase of hair follicles.
The catch is that results aren’t permanent on their own. Put simply, minoxidil is a treatment, not a cure. If you stop using it, the hair that was supported by the treatment will eventually shed, and your follicles will return to their baseline state.
Note that this does not mean minoxidil is unable to provide long-term benefits from continued treatment. But it’s best to be realistic about minoxidil as a hair loss management tool, one where results will subside once it’s no longer in use.
How to Use Minoxidil for Alopecia Areata?
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition where the body’s immune system attacks hair follicles, leading to patchy hair loss. Unlike androgenetic alopecia, the underlying mechanism here is immune-driven, not hormonal. Unfortunately, this is a pretty major difference that impacts the potential success of minoxidil as a treatment.
Studies have shown that minoxidil may have benefits in monotherapy for patients with alopecia areata. But frankly, the results aren’t super exciting. The systematic review of the limited studies concluded that there isn’t sufficient data to recommend it as a first-line option, and its use in monotherapy should be specific to those who cannot use other options.
You may notice improvement in regrowth when using minoxidil alongside other treatments. Having it play a role in combined therapy is where you are most likely to have some modest success. Whereas, as a standalone first-line treatment, your doctor will almost certainly turn to corticosteroid injections, topical immunotherapy, or other immune-modulating approaches instead.
Will Hair Regrow After Stopping Minoxidil?
As we’ve already alluded to, the hair that grows due to minoxidil relies on continued use of the medication. If you stop, that regrown hair is likely to shed within months.
Stopping treatment will not worsen your hair loss condition in any way. But it does mean the progress you’ve made won’t last.
At the pharmacy, we try to ensure that patients have the right expectations before starting treatment. Minoxidil is a long-term commitment with zero permanent impact once usage has subsided. This is also the reason we stress the importance of having a well-tailored formulation and concentration for your needs. You want something that’s both effective and tolerable over time, so that you are comfortable with prolonged use.
Does Minoxidil Stop Working After 2 Years?
Not exactly. But it’s not uncommon for results to plateau after the first year or so of use. The most visible regrowth usually occurs early on, and by the two-year mark, the majority of gains are already in place.
That said, we wouldn’t be stressing the idea of minoxidil treatment as a long-term commitment if it stopped working after a couple years. What often happens is that minoxidil’s role shifts from regrowing hair to maintaining it. Essentially, it continues to help you keep what you’ve regained and slow further loss.
Because hair loss itself is a progressive condition, follicles are likely to shrink over time if untreated. During the maintenance phase, ongoing use of minoxidil isn’t flashy. However, it can be invaluable for slowing down this process.
Can I Use Minoxidil for 20 Years?
Yes, many people do. Minoxidil has been on the market long enough for its long-term safety profile to be well understood. Decades of use have shown that it remains safe for most patients when applied consistently.
If you experience mild side effects such as dryness, irritation, or flaking, don’t worry. These rarely worsen over time. If they do, remember that you are not powerless. Adjustments can often be made, and people often find success switching between liquid and foam, fine tuning their concentration, or doing further customisation with a compounding pharmacist.
To add further context to this: it’s important to acknowledge that your body and lifestyle will change a lot in 20 years. It’s likely that what worked for you at one point won’t be true a decade later. That’s okay, and it absolutely doesn’t mean minoxidil is now an unviable treatment option. All it means is that some adjustments need to be made to account for changes that occur over time.
This isn’t too dissimilar from other long-term health treatments, such as managing blood pressure or cholesterol as you age. Minoxidil can be part of a lifelong routine, but monitoring is required so that your treatment plan can keep up with your ever-evolving needs.
What Actually Works to Regrow Hair?
It’s understandable to get frustrated by the difficulties of hair loss treatment. If we take a step back, minoxidil is a well-studied way to regrow hair, but it is by no means the only option, let alone the best option for everyone.
For men, oral finasteride is another first-line treatment. Its approach is quite different, focusing on reducing the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that shrinks hair follicles in androgenetic alopecia. For women, anti-androgen medications like spironolactone are sometimes prescribed.
Compounded treatments also open doors for more personalised solutions. The examples below are some we’ve touched upon already, but remain good options to consider:
- Combining minoxidil with finasteride in a topical formulation.
- Adding agents like retinoic acid to improve penetration or caffeine to support hair shaft health.
- Adjusting concentrations to suit tolerance and scalp sensitivity.
Beyond medications, everything from low-level laser therapy, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections, and hair transplantation can play a role. Everyone is different, and the “correct” approach will always depend on the cause of your hair loss, your age, and how advanced it is when treatment begins.
What we can say for certain is that no treatment will restore a full head of hair overnight. There are no magic solutions, and the solutions that do work need time to produce results. But if you are committed and manage your expectations appropriately, it’s possible to see meaningful, lasting improvements.
Interested in Hair Loss Compounding?
If you’re considering customised hair loss support but aren’t sure if it’s the right step for you, Zenith Pharmacy can provide guidance and support. Our pharmacists are experienced in both standard and compounded hair loss treatments, and we’re more than happy to help you find a safe, effective routine that actually suits you. Additionally, feel free to contact us if you need further clarification on some of the topics discussed in this article.
Written By
Zen Xiao
