Starting Minoxidil at 18: Seeking Insights on Long-Term Use and Side Effects

[mike5000]

Hello everyone,

I'm an 18-year-old who has recently noticed thinning hair on the top and sides of my head. I took quick action and ordered a 6-month supply of minoxidil. Although it arrived two days ago, I haven't begun using it just yet.

From what I've gathered, it seems like I'll need to commit to using this medication for the rest of my life. I would greatly appreciate it if someone here could share their insights on possible side effects I might encounter, considering I'm starting this treatment at a young age.

According to my research, common side effects include itching, skin rash, and dandruff. Additionally, there are rare cases where individuals experience facial swelling, irregular heartbeat, and weight gain.

I'm particularly interested in hearing from those who have been using minoxidil for an extended period, or from those who began using it at a young age. Any experiences regarding long-term side effects would be extremely valuable to me. Thank you in advance for sharing your insights.


I would be grateful for any information you can provide. I'm feeling quite panicked at the moment, I'm literally shaking...

 

[Coopman]

I have used it periodically over the last 25 years.

When i have used it i have experienced no sides. I stopped using it as i got lazy and had great results from Finasteride.

Expect to wait 4-6months to see best results. If you stop using it then all gains you have made will result in a massive shed, usually 4-8 weeks after you stop using it.

One word of caution is that Minoxidil alone may only work for a couple of years. You need a DHT blocker to slow down/halt your loss. Very few people maintain their hair with Minoxidil alone. But you need to do much research on Finasteride(DHT blocker) due to your age.

I have had in the past great results from Minoxidil and you may well do too. Good luck.

 

[Tom80]

Anecdotal evidence shows that Minox generally does not work in the long term

 

[Im new here]

I have used it for years and had no problems. It’s an over the counter medication and no need for a prescription so it tells you it’s pretty harmless for side effects

 

[Bigmac]

Do you have any pictures to show your hair loss?

 

[A_4_Archan]

Topical minoxidil is fine to use at this age and its an over the counter product ...you should use it religiously for many months to see its full potential and also keep in mind that if you stop it than you will start loosing all the gains you have made(if any) gradually and than will be in the same situation again...plus its not a medicine to stop hairloss ..it is used to make your hairs fuller and thicker but will not stop hairloss progression....if you are concerned about hairloss than i would ask you to consult a doctor and get on to proper medication and other non surgical therapies which can help you with this...its always good to address the issue sooner than later...so i would say consult a doctor and make a good sustainable long term plan..i hope this helps you ..best of luck..

 

[mike5000]

I visited a doctor who determined that my hair thinning is a result of the rigorous diet I've been following over the past three months, coupled with insufficient vitamin intake. The thinning is widespread across my scalp and has barely affected my hairline. Notably, there's no family history of early hair loss, which lends credibility to this explanation.
I intend to incorporate rosemary oil along with a derma roller into my routine, alongside taking zinc and biotin capsules, if it doesn't work for me, I suppose I'll resort to using minoxidil.