Is oral minoxidil the best treatment to stop hair loss? If so, what's the correct dose to regrow hair and to avoid side effects? This user here took oral minoxidil daily to regrow his hair.
Before and after results of taking oral minoxidil (6-months results).
Not only did he regrow his hair on top, but he also increased the hair density of his eyebrows, as you can see here.
Eyebrows thickening with oral minoxidil (before and after).
But how he did it and how much he took without having side effects is not what you think. So today, we're going to look at the correct dose for the best and quickest hair growth results and also the potential side effects you should be aware of.
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER
Before starting, you should know that this information comes from clinical studies, which I will link here [1] [2] [3]. But this article is not a substitute for personalized advice from a doctor, so always consult with your doctor first before starting any treatment.
Having said that, let us start.
What is oral minoxidil?
Oral minoxidil is a drug that was first prescribed to improve blood circulation. But, when users took it, they noticed an unexpected benefit: hair regrowth. It's now seen as one of the most effective treatments for combating hair loss, and with the correct dose, you can see results in less than 90 days. However, many people are afraid of the potential side effects. The most common side effect is unwanted hair growth on the body and face. While many men don't mind this, it can be a reason for many women to reconsider the treatment. Rare side effects can also include dizziness, faster heartbeat, headaches, and trouble sleeping. However, those side effects are more uncommon when taking a small dose of the drug.
According to a 2021 study, most people taking minoxidil tolerate low doses of the drug very well. Only 2% of the patients stopped taking the drug due to side effects, and the other 98% continued using it. So to minimize risks and still get the desired hair regrowth, it is crucial to follow the right dose. Typically, men start with at least 1 mg of oral minoxidil. This user, for example, took that amount.
Before and after of oral minoxidil (temple area hair regrowth, 7-months results).
He used 1 mg of oral minoxidil, and seven months later, he completely regrew his hair. But some people may have more severe hair loss and may need a higher dose for better results.
The maximum dose recommended is 2.5 mg of oral minoxidil for women and 5 mg for men. For example, the user we saw before, who not only regrew his hair but also his eyebrows, was taking 2.5 mg of oral minoxidil a day. And then we have this other user who took 5 mg of oral minoxidil to regrow his hair.
5mg of oral minoxidil before and after results.
Eleven months later, he managed to completely regrow his hair. And what's remarkable is that he did it without using any other treatments such as finasteride. None of the users we have seen reported having unwanted side effects.
How to take oral minoxidil?
But if you take the treatment and want to increase the dose, there are a few things you need to consider. As this medical study recommends, you should do so in 0.25 mg increments every three months. So if you're starting, for example, with 1 mg of minoxidil a day and you want to increase it to 2 mg, you should increase the dose by 0.25 mg every three months. This is important to ensure your body reacts properly and to avoid unwanted side effects. Please remember that oral minoxidil is also a blood pressure treatment and should be taken carefully with a doctor's advice.
If you're looking for a safer option for hair loss, however, consider topical minoxidil. It gives similar or the same benefits without the risk of unwanted side effects, and since it is considered safe, you don't need a doctor's prescription for topical minoxidil. This makes it more convenient as you can find it on Amazon and start using it right away.
