Female Pattern Hair Loss and Rogaine: Is Hair Shedding Normal the First Few Weeks of Use?

I am a woman and suffering from [tag]female pattern hair loss[/tag].   I was told by my dermatologist to start [tag]Rogaine[/tag] ([tag]minoxidil[/tag]) for men  (even though I’m female),  the 5% solution.   I’ve been on it for about 3 weeks and have been shedding even more hair. How long will this go on and how do I know if it’s not working.   Should I stop?

Thank you for your inquiry,

[tag]Balding[/tag] men and women suffering from hair loss  who use Rogaine 5% can expect some  possible minor [tag]hair shedding[/tag] up to the first few weeks to months of use.   Though this can certainly be scary, this often indicates that this [tag]hair loss medication[/tag] is working.  

What actually is happening is that  the [tag]miniaturized hair[/tag] (the hair that is being impacted by female pattern hair loss) is forced into [tag]telogen[/tag] (the shedding phase) and the hair follicle begins producing a new, thicker, and healthier hair in [tag]anagen[/tag] (the [tag]hair grow[/tag]ing phase).

This process takes some time which is why it is recommended to take the [tag]FDA approved[/tag] [tag]hair loss drug[/tag] Rogaine for at least 4 months.

Bill
Associate Publisher of the Hair Transplant Network and the Hair Loss Learning Center
View my Hair Loss Weblog