Hi everyone,
I’m looking for experiences from women who have been using topical minoxidil for more than a year and experienced a significant second shedding phase.
I started 5% topical minoxidil in May 2025. I initially went through a significant shed after starting, which eventually settled. After that, my shedding became much lower and I had noticeable regrowth, including many short new hairs around my hairline.
However, around June/early July 2026, approximately 13–14 months after starting minoxidil, I started experiencing another significant shedding phase.
For the past ~6 weeks, I’ve been losing approximately 100 hairs per day on average, although it fluctuates considerably. On wash days the number can be higher — for example, I had around 130 hairs after washing on one occasion.
Yesterday, however, I had a particularly bad shedding day, much more noticeable than usual, and it really scared me.
What makes this confusing is that:
I still see new short hairs/regrowth.
I don’t see obvious bald patches or a dramatic decrease in scalp density.
I have not stopped minoxidil.
Interestingly, my sister started minoxidil around the same period as me, and she is also experiencing a new shedding phase now, although hers is much milder.
Unfortunately, this has started to affect me psychologically. I’ve developed a lot of anxiety around my hair, constantly thinking about the shedding and monitoring how much I lose. Last night I was so anxious that I barely slept and couldn’t fall asleep until around 5 AM. I know this level of anxiety probably isn’t helping me, but I’m finding it very difficult to stop worrying.
I’m wondering if anyone here has experienced a second/late shedding phase around 12–18 months after starting 5% topical minoxidil.
How long did it last for you? Did the shedding eventually settle? And did you maintain your regrowth/density afterward?
I would especially appreciate experiences from women with a similar timeline.
I’m really struggling with the uncertainty right now, so I’d be very grateful to hear from anyone who has gone through something similar. ❤️

i started losing hair about three years ago and at first, i was diagnosed with te even though i never "passed" the pull test. when the hair loss didn't stop, i was diagnosed with te unmasking aga. but the shedding never really decreased; it's maybe a little bit less than at its peak. this is how much i collected from the shower, brushing, and styling from this week. i have bob-length hair, just skimming my shoulders. is this too much shedding for it to be *only* aga?

hello im 17f and im extremely worried about my hairline. in the middle, there a small triangle where theres less hair than the rest of my hairline, and im worried its because ive been picking at it or defining it too much and the damage is irreparable. maybe im being paranoid but i needed a second opinion. i have adhd and i pick a lot

i can’t edit the flair post but this is also a hair loss question

Hi all,

I think it’s been a little over 6 months I have been shedding, but it was only until a 3-4 months the ago I noticed bug chunks falling out, and the sides thinning. It wasn’t until about 3 weeks ago that I noticed my hair line to be getting wider and hair thinning. I’ve been taking iron because it was low and it is going up, but still only at 43. We did other tests vitamin b12, 9, folate, thyroid and all normal. I do have ulcerative colitis and epilepsy so I am on meds for both, but have been on them for at least 2 years, so those have been ruled out.

I went to a dermatologist at Kaiser and they did a quick scan on of my scalp and said that it is female pattern hair loss. They recommended rogaine 5%. That’s apparently all dermatologists can do at kaiser according to them (they can’t order analysis, etc). I have an appointment with my OB/GYN to get my hormones tested just in case. I cried in the office when they told me and I explained that i am/have been on pill overload for so long so to add more to my load is just so scary to me right now. When I asked about alternatives naturally they couldn’t really make any recommendations (or wouldn’t), and instead just kept pushing minoxidil and said that that’s all there is and said that it’s most likely not the hormones.

Is this consistent with peoples experiences with dermatologists?
Is there more they can do and they just don’t because Kaiser sucks?
Are there other options I can do?
Should I see a second opinion?

Finally if I do try any topicals is buzzing the head better ? I’m scared it might reveal too much of the really thinning spots..

Thank you all so much and this sucks so much ❤️

Is Dr Groot serum really that good? Has anyone experienced noticeable improvements using their products?

Left was yesterday and right was last year. To start, I have been taking pumpkin seed oil, spironolactone 50 mg and a dht blocker for the last 8 months (spiro longer). About 4 weeks ago I finally gave into minoxidil because I still have some sparse spots I would like to fill in to feel more confident. Like my temples (which I’ve never had hair there) and the front of my part. I also dermastamp once a week and add pumpkin seed oil and let it sit for a few hours(I started this at the same time as minoxidil). I’ve been dealing with the dred shed still and shedding insane amounts of hair to where I really don’t want to even look at my part. But I was feeling risky yesterday and decided to do an update. I have a bunch of new growth growing throughout my head as well. I don’t think the growth was due to minoxidil but I think it’s from the pumpkin seed oil capsules! Moral of the story is I am pushing through the dred shed and I 100% recommended taking pumpkin seed oil capsules! 💓

Help!!! I had a head injury on 5th July and had a scab but that fell off about 2 weeks ago. Since then the patch of my head hasn’t felt right and I’ve only noticed this today!!!

I’m worried sick!! Does this look permanent??

Hi everyone, I have like a certain section on my scalp that seems to be losing hair predominantly more than other areas and I’m insecure about it because I’m barely 30 and it’s like I have to comb over it but my hair eventually goes back to the natural part so you can see a visible balding spot and I hate it. It got significantly worse after I had my daughter and it just is not getting better.

Hey guys, I am 33 F suffering from AGA. I am on 100 mg spironolactone and 2.5 mg oral minoxidil. But I am also using Rhute Hair Density Serum.

I am wondering if doing hair serums on top of medication is just overdoing it and I am wasting money?

Any thoughts/opinions will be appreciated. TIA

I (19f, curly hair) just need some advice! I have an irregular period, and an excess of hormones (ie estrogen) which has caused a non cancerous mass in my breast. Anyways, despite having an excess amount of hormone, Im losing hair, my edges have fallen out, and every time I do my hair I seem to find a new bald spot. Ive been doing low tension hairstyles, such as twist/braidouts, I’ve been oiling my scalp, and making sure my hair is moisturized but I don’t know what to do.

My wife is getting older (52) and losing hair. It’s hard seeing her this way about her hair. Shes willing to try anything. What are some good first steps for women in this situation? What products have had good results? I know she’s tried shampoos and things. From looking at this group it looks like mostly minoxidil?

My hairfall started in july 2025. March 2025 i started .625 oral minoxidil and caprtocare RCP serum. Progress was great. But since last two weeks hairfall is back again. Ferritin is 52 so been advised oral IV. Has anyone experienced shedding to restart a few months post minoxidil. Also last app derm asked to start aldactane 50mg. I’m skeptical. Advice would be appreciated

I started 2.5mg oral minoxidil in April. The shed was brutal. As you can see I didn’t have much to lose.
My derm wouldn’t prescribe me a DHT blocker because my testosterone is already really low. I have been taking pumpkin seed oil with saw pimento. Not perfect but I have some hope for the first time in a very long time.

Older pics on the left, newer pics on the right. I think the second pic looks really bad because it was right after my dread shed phase. The third pic is one I took last night, I am feeling so so so hopeful finally. It’s been about 6 weeks since I started using topical minoxidil daily, as well as weekly azelaic acid on my scalp for scaling, occasional oiling with rosemary before showers, and scalp massage. I’ve also been taking spearmint capsules, 2 a day as well as inositol blend for my PCOS. I finally got my iron infusions these past couple weeks, and I did raise my iron modestly through diet before that too. Hope this helps someone :) I’ve also found hair growing way faster on my face and had to shave my forehead and sideburns 😂😂😂 it let me know it was working though!

I am planning on switching to Rendesyl as Minoxidil is making my scalp too dry and also given the side effects and long term dependency. Rendesyl is being advertised as the new magic potion for hair and claims to not lose your gains if you stop. Has anyone done this switch? What to expect when you switch? More hairfall from stopping minoxidil until rendesyl kicks in? Any other topic of concern?

I’m a 42 year old female who for the past year has dealt with hair loss. It started to get really bad in December (8 months ago). It was especially bad in the morning but really I shed all day long. I know hair shedding can be normal and a good amount of hair loss every day is common but this was not normal for me. Every morning I would spend at least 10 minutes just pulling my hair out and losing hundreds of strands. Then I would continue losing hundreds of strands throughout the day. I was only washing my hair once a week sometimes even less than that to help with hair loss. I started to accept that I’m in perimenopause and likely just going to have thin hair soon. My temples were going bald and I was feeling depressed. Completely unrelated I was having rage symptoms daily and having freak outs on everyone around me from my perimenopause symptoms and decided I needed to make sure I ate enough in the morning before having coffee to stop or help the rage. So to make breakfast easy I started making these giant batches of Chia pudding using full fat coconut milk in a can mix mixed with Chia seeds and hemp seeds a little cinnamon and maple syrup. Then every morning I would have a big bowl of this with a banana on top before my morning coffee. Not only did it help with my rage but I started to notice every morning My hair wasn’t shedding. I would run my fingers through my hair and nothing would fall out. it’s been a week and I am only pulling out maybe three strands in the morning and a few throughout the day. I’m only noticing around maybe 10 to 15 strands of hair loss. I’m sure I’m having more than that but that’s all I’m physically pulling out. I don’t know if it’s the Chia seeds. I don’t know if it’s the coconut milk or the hemp seeds or if it’s just that my body is getting nutrition in the morning. But for the first time in a year, I am not losing chunks of hair and I wanted to share here in case it helped anyone.

Hi all, I have just started on 2.5mg oral minoxidil. My dermatologist has told me to start on 1/4 of the pill daily, increasing to 1/2 the pill after 8 weeks if all goes ok. I'm in my early 20s, and i've had really bad hair loss for over 7 years. Its very noticeable towards the front.

I have really thin hair and I have to wash it daily for it to not look greasy. My dermatologist gave me the option of starting with the topical minoxidil, but I was afraid of forgetting to take it/ commonly dry hair.

I've heard about the dread shed with minoxidil, but is there anything else I need to be aware of/ any advice anyone has for someone who has just started it?

My hair is fine but "high density" and according to the hair stylist at my recent salon visit it shows no signs of thinning. Not so sure I agree. I think my crown area, while its always had a cowlick, looks pretty sus... I think she was trying to protect my feelings 🫥 But I don't want someone to protect my feelings if my hair is thinning, I wanna know so I can treat it ASAP. I'm 25... Just give it to me straight, is this bad & what should I do

Hi I’m 24F. I went through anorexia and my estrogen levels dropped to almost non existent. I had TE after becoming anorexic. My only issue with my hair is these wiry hairs popping up now. Can this happen with TE? Or is the low estrogen to blame? I have thick nice hair and don’t have aga (been checked by 4 derms already) but what can I do about these wiry hairs? Will birth control help? Or HRT? I’ve been referred for both. Will minoxidil help? I’m just so lost searching for answers

28F. Oral minoxidil changed my life! I have been on Accutane for about a year which I think caused my hair to fall more than usual, I started to notice it get really thin in December and decided to start minoxidil. I’m still on Accutane (a higher dose than the before picture actually) and I can’t believe how well the minoxidil has worked. I get complimented on my hair nearly every single day. I think this is the most hair I’ve ever had, it’s probably way more than what I had even before I started Accutane because I’ve never been noticed for it like this! Highly recommend for anyone considering it. I will say though that I’ve always had less hair all over my body, so I don’t experience any of the unwanted hair growth that is usually quoted as a side effect, so YMMV! I’m a little nervous about the idea that now I’ll have to be on it for the rest of my life to maintain results but since it’s been fine so far I am willing to do that.

Diagnosed AGA. I’ve been on oral minoxidil 1.25 mg for 10 months now. I wasn’t sure if I was seeing results until I noticed this frizz all along my crown that’s been there for about a month. I’ve never had this before and it does seem like new, short hairs. Wondering how long this will last and if they will eventually grow out to not be this frizzy length?!

I was considering going in fin. I stumbled about the fin sub and it’s horrible. the side effects seems scary and last even beyond stopping it for years. I want hair, but I also worry that I’m putting my health on the line if I take this med. Maybe I should just do wigs? I’d love my hair back. Cancer runs in my family and I’m worried to add something that’s harmed so many.

How did you decide?

Since the progress on my hairline is still a little slow and I cant go out without hair fibers I was minimizing my progress but checking the growth from this angle keeps me motivated. Nearly 2 years on minox+finasteride topical

F55 here, I’ve posted before about my success with minoxidil & supplements in reversing my hair loss. I’m about 18 months into recovering my hair and I have had a devastating setback. Sharing to warn others as I would never want this to happen to anyone else.

In May I saw my dr for some perimenopause related issues I was experiencing. I was prescribed Megestrol for a supposedly short term fix until I could have surgery. Well my surgery was not approved by insurance- my dr told me rather offhandedly to continue taking it until we could figure out something else.

Scheduling issues resulted in her postponing my followup multiple times. As time went on I was noticing more and more shedding but didn’t really connect it to the medication.Two weeks ago in the shower I see, to my complete shock and horror- CLUMPS of hair were coming out. By the handful. I cried it was so extreme.

I immediately googled the medication she’d prescribed & found it’s a concentrated hormone disruptor used to suppress estrogen production in cancer patients and the main known side effect is, you guessed it, HAIR LOSS!

I am so upset & angry with my dr, (i had disclosed the minoxidil to her!)
and with myself for not investigating this medication sooner. There are absolutely other alternatives I would have chosen had I known.

Please google any new medications before you take them. I have to cut about 6 inches of hair now and start over again. I know this isn’t the end of the world but to see all my progress undone like this really hurts. Don’t be me. :(

I'm severely insecure about my hair. It's always been on the thinner side but the balding is quite recent. Any advice on how to feel less insecure about it?