Minoxidil Spray is a clinically proven, non-prescription treatment for androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness) which is applied directly to the scalp to stop hair loss, and in some people, can regrow hair. It has been shown in studies to stop hair loss in 84% of users in 6-12 months.
So, it works for most people who use it – but what happens to the hair you’ve kept if you stop using it? In this article, we’ll look at how Minoxidil stops hair loss, and what to do if you want to stop using Minoxidil Spray but keep the results you’ve worked hard for.
Minoxidil is a vasodilator, which means it expands blood vessels. This is thought to help revitalize shrunken hair follicles by supplying healthy blood flow, full of oxygen and nutrients required for growth. The male hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) binds to hair follicles and causes them to shrink, so counteracting this effect with sufficient blood flow helps stop hair loss and promote a healthy growth cycle. Minoxidil is also thought to lengthen the anagen (growth) phase and shorten the telogen (resting) phase, helping hair grow thicker, longer and stronger which can help with regaining density.
If Minoxidil Spray isn’t the right fit for you, there are alternative treatment options you can consider which are effective at stopping further hair loss. Just because you’re not using Minoxidil Spray anymore, doesn’t mean you need to throw the towel in altogether and get a 0 all over.
Here’s what to do if you’re having any of the following problems with Minoxidil Spray:
Oral Minoxidil is the capsule version of Minoxidil Spray, which can be prescribed off-label to treat hair loss. It works similarly to the spray by increasing blood flow to the hair follicles and lengthening the growth phase of the follicle. Studies show that Oral Minoxidil can be as effective as Minoxidil Spray and a good alternative for individuals who experience side effects like dryness, itching or irritation from applying the solution directly to their scalp, as it’s absorbed directly into the bloodstream. It only needs to be taken once-a-day, with or without food, so many men find it more convenient compared to the spray.
It may also have a further advantage: research suggests that Minoxidil Spray may not work for men who have low amounts of an enzyme called sulfotransferase on their scalp. That’s because Minoxidil needs to be converted into its active form, Minoxidil sulphate, by these enzymes to deliver its effect. When Oral Minoxidil is absorbed by the blood, it can be converted into its active form by the sulfotransferase enzymes in the liver. So, for men who do not have much sulfotransferase on their scalp, Oral Minoxidil might be effective for them even if Minoxidil Spray wasn’t working well.
If you feel Minoxidil Spray is not making a difference, keep in mind that results take at least 3-6 months to become visible. Some people experience a temporary shedding period when they start using Minoxidil products, which can last for a few weeks. This can feel alarming, and like the medication is making your hair loss worse. Weirdly, a shedding phase is a sign the treatment is starting to work. Minoxidil is thought to shorten the telogen (resting) phase and lengthen anagen (growth) phase of the hair follicles. This means that all the hairs which are resting in the telogen phase, waiting to be shed, are shed all at once, so the hair follicle can re-enter the anagen phase more quickly and start growing.
However, if you’ve been using it for more than 6 months and you feel it’s making no difference, you could be recommended Finasteride tablets, if you’re not using them already. Oral Finasteride is the only other treatment, alongside Minoxidil Spray, for male pattern baldness which is HPRA-approved and clinically proven to be effective at stopping further hair loss, and in some men, regrowing hair. Finasteride works by blocking the enzyme 5a-reductase which converts testosterone into the hormone which causes hair loss: DHT. Studies show results are even better when used in combination with Minoxidil Spray, but it is still effective in 9 out of 10 men at stopping hair loss by itself.
It’s great that you’re happy with the results you’ve seen with your hair loss treatment.
However, to keep hair loss at bay, you will have to keep using the treatment consistently to keep benefitting. Minoxidil Spray isn’t a cure for hair loss, it’s a treatment. Just like taking a tablet to reduce high blood pressure, if you stop using the medication, your blood pressure will go back up. If you stop using Minoxidil Spray (or any other hair loss treatment), the hair loss will pick right back up where it left off.
There’s a common misconception that if you start Minoxidil then stop, your hair loss will end up worse than it was before you ever used it. This isn’t true – Minoxidil doesn’t worsen hair loss.
What often happens is this: while using Minoxidil, many people see less shedding and notice their hair looking fuller. But when they stop, the benefits gradually fade and their hair returns to its natural pattern of thinning. Over time, that thinning can go beyond the starting point – not because Minoxidil made it worse, but because male pattern baldness is naturally progressive and continues moving forward without treatment.
Male pattern baldness is a natural condition, and a part of getting older for most men. If you’d prefer to let nature take its course, then there’s no need to continue using any medication. Lots of men use treatment for a while, particularly men in their early twenties/thirties, but reach a point in their life where they feel confident with baldness. At Sons, we want men to choose self-confidence – so if this means taking pride in being bald, we’re happy with that too.
If you feel more confident with hair than without, you can take our free consultation for personalised recommendations of the best treatment for your goals and lifestyle.
All of our blog articles are reviewed for medical accuracy by our Medical Director before publication.
Posted in: All, Hair, Minoxidil Journal
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