Minoxidil can be an effective medication to treat or slow down hair loss, for both male pattern baldness and female pattern baldness. Minoxidil has also been proven effective in treating various types of alopecia, such as traction alopecia and alopecia areata.
According to the American Hair Loss Association (AHLA), over 66% of men will experience hair loss by the age of 35 which is why it is ideal to catch hair loss early so that treatment is more effective [1].
Minoxidil is available as a 2% and 5% topical liquid and foam, or a 2.5mg-5mg oral tablet. It is currently the only approved hair loss medication for women as it does not alter hormones like the hair loss medication, Finasteride.
The results of Minoxidil can differ from person to person, as the efficacy of the medication depends on factors such as the level of hair loss categorised by the Norwood scale or Ludwig scale.
This article will look at the results of Minoxidil after 1 year of use, how Minoxidil works, how long it takes to work, how effective Minoxidil is, and some of the side effects of Minoxidil.
The Minoxidil before and after pictures below include people experiencing different types of hair loss conditions who have been successfully treated by Minoxidil after 1 year.
A one-year study evaluated the efficacy of 5% topical Minoxidil on 984 patients experiencing male pattern baldness [2].
At the end of the study, it was reported that areas of hair loss had shrunk in 62% of the patients, and the 5% solution was found to be very effective in 15.9% of patients.
The pictures below show an individual who was experiencing male pattern baldness. He seems to be at Norwood 4 on the Norwood scale, with noticeable crown hair loss.
He began using 5% topical Minoxidil for a year and saw some improvement in hair growth.
Though Minoxidil has restored some of the hair loss areas on the man’s scalp, there are still some noticeable areas of hair loss that Minoxidil has not combatted. Minoxidil is more successful when used on hair loss in earlier stages. At later stages of hair loss, such as Norwood 4, it is common to begin using both Minoxidil combined with Finasteride.
The individual below has a receding hairline due to male pattern baldness. Minoxidil can work for a receding hairline, and this man began using 5% topical Minoxidil for a year as a way to stop a receding hairline.
After a year, the patchiness and recession of the hairline had improved, and the hairline near the temples appeared thicker.
Men are usually prescribed the 5% dosage of Minoxidil as it is more effective at treating male pattern hair loss.
A 48-week clinical trial tested the superiority of 5% topical Minoxidil against 2% topical Minoxidil, and a placebo [3]. It was found that 5% topical Minoxidil was superior to 2% topical Minoxidil in treating male pattern baldness.
Minoxidil for women is a common hair loss treatment, and the only approved hair loss medication for women, as women cannot use Finasteride, another common hair loss medication.
The picture below shows part of Youtuber Jengira Begue’s hair restoration journey. The Youtuber had been diagnosed with female pattern baldness and began using 5% Minoxidil foam alongside Nizoral shampoo.
On the Ludwig scale, she appeared to have type 1 female pattern hair loss. The parting on the crown begins to thin and widen, and can sometimes appear in a ‘zig-zag’ shape.
After a year of using 5% Minoxidil foam, her parting had returned to a pre-hair loss state.
The pictures below show a woman experiencing female pattern hair loss. On the Ludwig scale, she appears to have type 1, with slight hairline hair loss.
She began using 5% Minoxidil foam once a day, and after a year of use her hair appeared denser and her parting had thickened.
Low-dose oral Minoxidil has been deemed safe to use for a number of hair loss conditions, including female pattern baldness [5].
It is important to note that, as female pattern hair loss is less common than male pattern baldness, it can be more complex to diagnose the condition. A trichologist will need to perform specific biopsies and blood tests when diagnosing female pattern hair loss. This will help them create a tailored female hair loss treatment plan that works for you.
The images below show a patient experiencing traction alopecia. This was caused by wearing tight hairstyles, however, the woman had ceased doing so for several years [6].
In the picture on the left, there is clear hair loss and thinning around the temples. She had been treated previously with 5% topical Minoxidil but had seen no improvement.
The individual was then started on 1.25mg oral Minoxidil daily; by 6 months, there was notable regrowth of hair, and so the patient’s dose was increased to 1.25mg twice daily.
The picture on the right shows the patient after 12 months of oral Minoxidil, and we can see a notable change in hair density and coverage.
The individual below was experiencing traction alopecia which was very noticeable due to wearing tight, restrictive hairstyles. She was prescribed 2% topical Minoxidil.
After a year of using the 2% topical Minoxidil twice daily in the area of hair loss, new hair growth had covered the hair loss on the hairline, and the temples and hairline appeared fuller and denser, with any hair loss no longer noticeable.
Minoxidil was found to be effective in treating hair loss caused by alopecia areata. However, it was found to be less effective in those with severe hair loss due to alopecia areata [7].
The picture below shows an individual with mild hair loss due to alopecia areata. They started using 5% topical Minoxidil in the area of hair loss, and after a year of use, they saw significant hair growth improvement.
Hair loss on one side of the head can be common with alopecia areata, which is what the individual below was experiencing.
They began taking 5% topical Minoxidil to combat their hair loss, and after one year of use, there was a marked improvement. The area of hair loss had shrunk significantly.
There is limited evidence that Minoxidil can regrow hair after chemotherapy-related hair loss, as hair usually begins to regrow around 3-6 months after chemotherapy is stopped. However, some research shows that it may speed up hair regrowth [8].
More research is needed to determine the overall efficacy of Minoxidil and chemotherapy-related hair loss.
A randomised trial was conducted to assess the value and safety of topical Minoxidil in chemotherapy-induced hair loss. The trial consisted of 22 women who were facing chemotherapy [9]. The trial found that Minoxidil was safe to use on individuals with chemotherapy-induced hair loss, it decreased the duration of hair loss caused by chemotherapy and had no recorded side effects.
The person below had undergone chemotherapy, and as a result, was experiencing chemotherapy-induced alopecia [10]. She was prescribed topical Minoxidil for a period of 18 months but was unresponsive to the medication, therefore she was prescribed low-dose oral Minoxidil at a dose of 1.25mg.
There was a significant improvement in hair regrowth and the dosage was increased to 2.5mg after 3 months, and further increased to 3.75mg. After 6 months her dose was increased to 5mg. By 12 months, her hair had fully regrown.
The individual below was experiencing chronic telogen effluvium and began using 5% topical Minoxidil.
After a year of using 5% topical Minoxidil, the patient had seen some improvement. There was still hair shedding present, but the Minoxidil had lessened this.
Chronic telogen effluvium is categorised as a diffuse hair loss that lasts more than 6 months [11].
A 6-month study was conducted on 36 women who were experiencing chronic telogen effluvium [12]. Each woman was treated with oral Minoxidil, with the dosage ranging between 0.25 and 2.5 mg. The most common dosage administered was 1mg. Each patient reported an improvement in hair shedding during the study.
The person below was prescribed oral Minoxidil for chronic telogen effluvium. They took 1.25mg of oral Minoxidil for 18 months and saw less hair shedding and a significant improvement in hair density.
One study tested the efficacy and safety of topical Minoxidil for use on the eyebrows, against a placebo. 39 individuals took part in the study, and after 16 weeks the Minoxidil 2% group had achieved significantly better results. Side effects were also found to be minor [13].
The person below began using topical Minoxidil 2% on their overplucked eyebrows in 2013. A year later, their eyebrows appear fuller and more natural.
The person below also began using topical Minoxidil 2% on their eyebrows to fill out some hairless spaces. After a year, their eyebrows appeared fuller.
Minoxidil for beard hair growth has been proven to be safe and effective [14].
In one study, a 17-year-old transgender male with gender dysphoria desired facial hair growth to avoid being misgendered. He was treated with topical Minoxidil 5%, and by the third month, hair growth had begun to show. The use of Minoxidil was deemed safe and effective. [15].
The pictures below show Youtuber ‘TP Locks’ on his beard hair journey with Minoxidil. He wanted more beard hair growth so he began using Minoxidil 5% foam. As you can see, after a year of using Minoxidil 5% topical foam, there was a significant change in hair growth, with his beard appearing fuller and natural.
The individual below was experiencing sparse and thin-looking beard hair. They began using Minoxidil 5% foam for a year, and the results produced a denser, more prominent-looking beard.
You might notice small improvements in the appearance of your hair at around 8 weeks after using Minoxidil, but the hair growth effects of Minoxidil usually become noticeable after 3-4 months [16].
To see the full effects of Minoxidil, you will need to use it exactly as the instructions advise, as missing a day or two can slow the progress of hair growth. For tips and advice on the best way to apply Minoxidil, have a look at our guide on applying Minxoidil.
If you do miss a dose you should apply it as soon as possible. If you missed a dose and it is nearly time for your next dose anyway, you should resume as normal with your schedule [17].
Minoxidil is effective at combatting hair loss in both men and women. A 4-month study comprising 733 male individuals with androgenetic alopecia tested the efficacy of Minoxidil 5% topical solution. Each subject applied 1ml of the topical solution twice daily to the area of the scalp affected by hair loss [18].
By month 4, the affected area had become smaller in 67.3% of the participants, 7.5% of the participants had experienced new hair growth, and hair density had improved in 74.2% of the participants.
By comparison, a one-year study showed that just 2.9% of Minoxidil 5% users didn’t respond to treatment after a year, suggesting Minoxidil becomes more effective after a year of use [2].
Finasteride tends to be a more effective hair loss treatment than Minoxidil, although studies suggest fewer patients see the benefits after one year of treatment. Research shows that 70% of men with frontal balding stopped hair loss after a year [19].
Combining Minoxidil with Finasteride is the most effective way to improve hair loss symptoms due to male pattern baldness after one year [20]. For best results, men can consider introducing 1mg of Finasteride per day to their hair loss treatment plan.
If you want to learn more about Minoxidil or explore your options for hair restoration, our expert trichology team is on-hand to help.
We can answer any questions or concerns you may have and explore a UK hair transplant or non-surgical methods for hair restoration. Our team can also diagnose any underlying conditions you might have for your hair loss.
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