When you start your treatment with Sons, you feel (quite rightly) that you’ve taken the first step in tackling hair loss. So, when some people experience Minoxidil shedding, it can be worrying. However, losing hair at the start of your treatment is actually a sign that Minoxidil is working. Here’s why.
The hair growth cycle
To understand how Minoxidil works, you need to understand how your hair grows. Here’s a breakdown:
Your hair is constantly growing out of your follicle - you can think of your follicle as an anchor point which connects your hair strand to blood and nutrient supply. This phase normally lasts between two and six years.
Your hair stops growing and begins to break away from the follicle - this can take up to two weeks.
Your hair is detached from the follicle and is waiting for a new hair to force it out of your scalp. Around 10-15% of your hairs are in this stage at any given time, which lasts up to three months.
Your hair is finally forced out by new hair and sheds. This is the stage that Minoxidil accelerates by promoting new hair growth of thicker, healthier hair follicles.
Why does Minoxidil cause hair shedding?
When you first start using Minoxidil it soaks into the scalp and stimulates the hair follicles, which provides a boost of nourishment that encourages regrowth. However, once your new healthier and thicker hairs start to grow, they push out the old, thinning hairs which is why you may start to notice some increased shedding of finer hairs.
This shedding stage does not happen to everyone. However, for those that do experience it, shedding usually starts in the first month of use and lasts between four and six weeks. Once your new hairs have undergone the full hair growth cycle that we’ve explained above, you should begin to see an increase in hair that is thicker and healthier than the hair that you lost. As long as you use Minoxidil consistently and aren’t too ‘stop-start’ with it, the shedding stage settles down over time.
How long does Minoxidil take to work?
Most men will experience the benefits of Minoxidil after three to six months - this will include slowing the recession of your hairline and/or regrowth of hair. However, the ultimate results from Minoxidil usage will appear after a year of consistent treatment, especially when used alongside Finasteride.
We understand that experiencing shedding when you first take on a Sons treatment can be counter-intuitive, but try not to panic - this is a sign that Minoxidil is working and will provide you with better hair in the long run. Stick with it and you’ll be able to enjoy the full benefits of hair loss treatment that you’ve been looking for.
All of our blog articles are reviewed by our Medical Director before publication.
