Minoxidil making Hair Line Worse? Help

by Holly
(New York)

I am a 22 year old female and all through out last year I was going through a really stress full time. For a while at the end of 2010 and the very beginning of 2011 things got even more stressful - in February 2011, I started to notice hair thinning at my temples, just on the sides then it got really bad and I could see a lot of scalp, finally my hair dresser recommend I go and see a specialist so I went to Ashley and Martin and their doctor prescribed me minoxidil 5%.

In the beginning I had the shed and then on the sides it got a touch better but I had a spot where my hair fringe was slightly raised and I wasn't sure if it was part of the problem or not so I put small amounts on it through out the 4 months iv been on it my hairline has gotten so bad.

Its generally gone back about a centimeter from where it used to be and there is bald spot about the size of a thumb where I part my hair and - also at the edges of my temple the hairs have shrunk and gone quite thin. I am so concerned minoxidil is making my hair worse - I want to stop it as well because my face is getting facial hair as a side effect! But I am more worried about my hairline.

Since going to the clinic I researched and have found TE which is probably what I had and my hair would probably correct itself - I am wonder if it still will - I am almost certain the minoxidil did this to my hair line as I started just a small amount on 1 spot and then I need to go more and more across? Can anyone help me or give advice?

Oh and things are still a little stressful but are about 85% better - really my hair is probably the most stressful thing and I am trying to not let it be as I know that will make it worse! Also that picture was taken about 6 weeks ago and since then it has gotten even worse - I used to have a clear-cut hairline. What will happen if I stop the minoxidil?

Editor’s Comments

Minoxidil are known to cause some hair shedding before regrowth is possible because that is how the drug works, it sheds of the fine hair while new stronger one grows from below.

If you think that Minox is not helping with your hair and it’s actually making it worse after 6 months or so you should return to your doctor and get another consult as there might be other underlying cause for your hair loss condition.

All the best!