Minoxidil Side Effects: What To Expect When You Start Treatment (And What Your Body Might Actually Need)

You’ve likely seen it many times on the drugstore shelves, complicated internet lists of minoxidil side effects have likely kept you up at 1 AM. There is something in your gut that is telling you that adding minoxidil to your routine might not be worth the side effects and risks — but you still keep coming back to it.

You’re not alone, minoxidil is the go-to over the counter hair regrowth medication and for good reasons, it helps a great deal of people grow back their hair. Like with any medication that changes how your body works, you should expect and be aware of the numerous side effects. Though it may look like a good medication for hair regrowth, there’s one more question you should ask before you pick up a bottle, has your hair loss got anything to do with the food you are eating and NOT your hair?

What Minoxidil Treats

Minoxidil, in a sense, has quite the interesting backstory. It started out as a blood pressure medication and doctors discovered that as a side effect their patients were growing hair in new places. This side effect was the reason the medication was changed to be a topical hair regrowth product Sold in a 2% or 5% foam and/or solution that is applied to the scalp. In even lower doses, it is also sold as an oral medication prescribed off-label to treat hair loss.

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Side Effects from Minoxidil

While using minoxidil may have mild side effects, most users experience these issues in the first few weeks of use.

• Scalp irritation includes any combination of dryness, redness, itchiness, and even flaking. Minoxidil is not primarily to blame for this side effect. This usually stems from an ingredient called propylene glycol.
• The initial shedding phase is the side effect that can make users feel like the product is not working. Growth from minoxidil will eventually push out hairs in its resting phase, thus making room for new growth. This leads to shedding, which can cause users to believe the minoxidil is not working.
• Users typically begin to see minoxidil work, but unforeseen side effects of this hair growth product begin to appear, including new unwanted hair growth on the face, hands, and forehead.
• New hair growth may also appear finer and light in color. The color and texture of the new hair may take longer than anticipated to match the rest.

Minoxidil in foam formulations generally work best for irritation-related issues because the liquid versions sting for most users.

Less Common More Serious Side Effects

These are less common, more serious side effects of minoxidil you MUST pay attention to:

• Rapid or irregular heartbeat
• Chest pain, or dizziness
• Swelling in the hands, feet, face, etc
• Unexplained weight gain associated with fluid retention
• Fainting, lightheadedness
• Allergic reactions: rash, hives, swollen lips/eyes, swollen throat, and difficulty breathing

These are more concerning side effects of oral minoxidil because it affects your whole body instead of just staying on your scalp. Discontinue use of this medication and call your doctor immediately if you experience any of these side effects.

Which Vitamin Deficiency Causes Hair Loss?

The biggest question that people skip is do your thinning hairs have anything to do with your diet? There are multiple deficiencies that can cause hair loss, and their treatment can be more helpful than topical treatments:

• Vitamin D helps to run the hair growth cycle. Approximately 30% of adults have low levels of this vitamin. Deficiency can cause alopecia areata as well as continued hair loss.
• Iron is one of the biggest culprits of hair loss and is especially a problem for women with heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding.
• Vitamin B12 is a big contributor to hair loss as it helps to produce healthy blood and therefore carries oxygen to the hair follicles. This becomes prominent in older adults and in vegans and vegetarians.
• Biotin (B7) — true deficiencies are uncommon, but if there is one, you can expect brittle hair with breakage or even loss.
• Zinc — has a role in tissue formation and growth, follicles included.

Correcting a deficiency can treat shedding (unlike minoxidil which works from the outside in), but only if a deficiency is the true cause of the shedding.

So Which One Do You Actually Need?

If your hair loss is genetic and is expressed as an adult receding hairline or an adult widening part line, then you should try minoxidil first. If you experience sudden, unexplained hair loss along with brittle nails, fatigue, or other signs of nutrient deficiency, then you should consider defending your nutrient levels. A blood test can help you figure it out.

Either way, never leave it up to chance. It is always better to be safe than sorry, and visiting a dermatologist can help you avoid several months of unnecessary shedding and arriving at your answer via the process of elimination.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is hair loss from starting minoxidil normal?

Minoxidil starts the process of premature hair shedding as the treatment moves older resting hairs. It is common, and it actually means the treatment is starting to work. It’s not a failure at all.

How long do minoxidil side effects last?

Most side effects go away after 2 to 6 weeks as your body adjusts to the treatment. There are serious side effects you should address with your doctor immediately. These side effects include lingering irritation, shedding that does not go away after 6 weeks, and the appearance of new symptoms.

Can minoxidil cause permanent damage?

In healthy adults, both temporary side effects and the cessation of use of the topical version of minoxidil, does not lead to permanent damage. Serious cardiovascular effects caused by the topical version of minoxidil or oral minoxidil are extremely rare.

What happens if you stop using minoxidil?

Some phases may take longer than others, but either way, new growth typically falls out within a few months. Without treatment, hair will grow back the way it was initially, and minoxidil only does its job as long as you use it.

Which vitamin deficiency is most commonly linked to hair loss?

Iron and Vitamin D deficiencies (especially in women) are most often mentioned, and so are B12, Biotin, and Zinc deficiencies, even though these are less often cited as true deficiencies.

Can hair loss from a vitamin deficiency grow back?

This is usually the case. With treatment (most often correcting a deficiency), hair will grow back within a few months if it’s addressed early enough for the rest of the follicles to recover.

Conclusion:

As one of the few reliable treatments for hair loss on the market, minoxidil is a strong contender, side effects included. Yet, thinning hair can say more than just a follicle problem. Your hair can signal a lack of vitamin D, iron, B12, or zinc. Lucky for you, a trip to the dermatologist, or blood work may also be in order, to discover what you really need. While a stay at the pharmacy may not be ideal, it can certainly be a quicker solution than the hair loss drawn out process of trial and error you may very well be able to avoid.

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