Can I Use Minoxidil Long Term?

Can I Use Minoxidil Long Term? Typically, there is no limit to how long you can use Minoxidil for. Minoxidil is a great treatment for the reduction of hair thinning and hair loss. Many people therefore swear by it as part of their daily routine! To begin with, some may have doubts about the effectiveness of Minoxidil.

People experiencing hair loss or hair thinning often look towards medicinal treatments for relief. Hair loss is an issue for most people at one time or another, particularly as we get older. As we age, several factors can wreak havoc on the quality of our hair. These factors range from genetics to hormonal changes, and even our diet. Over time, our hair follicles become weak and brittle. This causes hair to appear thinner, reducing the amount of hair we have with age.

Hair loss is a devastating issue for many. It has a negative impact on body confidence and can leave a lasting emotional impact. Both women and men can experience hair loss. Due to this, there are a variety of products that work to stop or reduce hair loss.

One of the most widely used products for hair loss is Minoxidil. This article covers what Minoxidil is for, and how long it works to treat hair loss. We’ll also consider whether there are any long-term side effects related to the solution, and how you can use the product properly.

Contents

What is Minoxidil Used For?

Can I use minoxidil long term

Minoxidil is an over the counter medication that treats hair loss and hair thinning. It works to increase the amount of blood flow to the scalp, which can help deliver nutrients to the root of the hair. This promotes hair growth and strength, without being an invasive treatment like hair transplants. People experiencing hair loss often use Minoxidil as foam or ointment. It’s not commonly used as a pill, and the medicine isn’t ingested. So, this means Minoxidil has very few side effects – if any.

The solution is only applied to the areas that require hair re-growth. For example, if you experience balding on the scalp, you will apply it to the scalp only. There are no hormones in Minoxidil solutions, and studies show no adverse effects with long term use.

The main reason people may experience side effects with Minoxidil is over-absorption. This is where the skin absorbs too much Minoxidil into the body, which causes an adverse effect. It is very rare for this to happen, so you have no reason to worry about using Minoxidil. When applied correctly and following the instructions on the packet, you will not experience side effects.

Over time, the medicine does not accumulate in the body. This means that any side effects are due to incorrect short-term use that can cause over-absorption. They are not caused by long-term use. This is because Minoxidil must be constantly re-applied twice a day to make it an effective hair loss treatment.

How Long Can I Use Minoxidil for Hair Loss?

However, Minoxidil does work for hair loss, and many studies support this. As a solution for hair loss and thinning, it has been in use since the 1950s. This goes to show how long this medication has been around. After all, if it wasn’t effective, people wouldn’t continue to use it.

When Minoxidil begins to show great results, people are likely to want to use it for long periods of time. Minoxidil is a great option for long term use, as only very small amounts are absorbed by the body. Research shows that less than 2% of the medicine becomes absorbed once applied to the scalp. As this is a relatively small amount, it’s almost impossible to have any adverse effects on the body.

Despite this, there are a few occasions where more of the solution can be accidentally absorbed. Negative side effects are not caused over time. Instead, they are linked to dermatological issues of the scalp.

Why do People Use Minoxidil on a Long-Term Basis?

As Minoxidil is a short-acting treatment, experts recommend that you reapply it each day. That explains why people using Minoxidil will often aim to use it indefinitely. Once they stop using Minoxidil twice a day, they can begin to experience further hair loss. The product is therefore developed to avoid causing long term effects.

What Happens When You Stop Using Minoxidil?

Once you stop using Minoxidil, you might experience hair loss. This is because the medicine only works with repeated, routine applications. One study examined the rate of hair loss in people who had stopped using Minoxidil after long term use.

21.5% of participants experienced hair loss once they stopped using Minoxidil after two years of continuous use. This demonstrates that you should continue to apply Minoxidil each day in order for it to work effectively. There are many reports of people using Minoxidil to treat hair loss for years and years, without experiencing any negative side effects. Read on to find out how the long-term use of Minoxidil for hair thinning is not harmful.

Does Long Term Use of Minoxidil Cause Side Effects?

There are very few side effects associated with the application of Minoxidil. They are very rare and not serious. Side effects will stop as soon as you stop applying the solution. If you think you are experiencing negative side effects related Minoxidil, stop taking the product and consult a doctor. Rest assured that the side effects that have been linked to the product are not serious.

You might be more likely to experience side effects if:

  • You use more Minoxidil than recommended in order to make up for a missed dose. If you skip an application of Minoxidil, you should wait until the next scheduled application before topping up.
  • You experience skin problems, especially on the scalp. This includes issues such as eczema, irritation, sunburn, or psoriasis. Using Minoxidil on broken or irritated skin causes the body to absorb more of the medicine. This can be detrimental and cause some minor side effects.
  • Using Minoxidil solutions should not show any adverse effects related to these conditions. People with these conditions only experience side effects due to over-absorption of the medicine. This is because Minoxidil stimulates blood flow to the scalp, and is a medicated product. Medicated products must include some disclaimers, despite not being likely to cause adverse effects.

Using Minoxidil on a long-term basis will not lead to any adverse side effects. It is a harm-free medicine, applied to the skin and not ingested.

You should wash your hands after using Minoxidil on the scalp. This will reduce any potential for further absorption into the skin.

Using Minoxidil for Long Term Treatment of Hair Thinning

So, we’ve uncovered that using Minoxidil over a long time period does not have adverse effects. This is because it is a topical solution applied to the scalp, and is not hormonal. There may be some situations where more of the product becomes absorbed than is normal, such as when individuals suffer from dermatological issues. However, there are no reported serious side effects due to long term use. The product is safe for continuous use over time, and you can therefore continue to reap the benefits of hair regrowth!

Minoxidil is a hair thinning and hair loss treatment for the scalp. Available in both dropper and foam solutions, the product contains 5% of Minoxidil. This means the concentration of the medicated product is higher than that of other brands, making it extra strength. Kirkland Minoxidil, therefore, provides adequate and noticeable hair growth for those experiencing balding and hair thinning.

Unscented and easy to apply, the product will not have a huge impact on your everyday routine. But, it is important to remember to apply twice a day as recommended. We’ve gone into depth about Minoxidil and long term use in this article, as the product is used on a long term basis by many. Once you stop using the treatment, hair loss can continue over time.