What is the impact of topical hair loss treatments on hair growth after 2-3 months?

From the Guidelines

After 2-3 months of using a topical hair loss product, such as minoxidil, users can expect to see an increase in hair density, with a highly significant increase in hair density observed in the treatment group, as shown in studies comparing PRP with minoxidil 1. When using a topical product for hair loss, the impact on hair growth after 2-3 months can vary depending on the individual and the specific product being used.

• Minoxidil is a common and effective over-the-counter topical treatment, with the 5% formula showing better results for most people.
• During the first 2-3 months, users typically experience a "shedding phase" where weaker hairs fall out to make way for stronger ones, which can be alarming but is actually a sign the medication is working.
• By the 3-month mark, some users may notice very fine, short new hairs beginning to emerge, though these are often barely visible.
• The combination of PRP with minoxidil has been shown to be highly effective in increasing hair density, with studies demonstrating a significant increase in hair density after 3 months of treatment 1.
• Consistency is crucial during this period - the treatment must be applied exactly as directed (usually twice daily for minoxidil) to see any benefits.
• The biological mechanism involves stimulating hair follicles to enter the growth phase and increasing blood flow to the scalp.
• Full results from topical treatments typically take 6-12 months to develop, so the 2-3 month mark represents just the beginning of the response.
• It's worth noting that PRP monotherapy was more effective than minoxidil monotherapy in most studies, although minoxidil was shown to be better tolerated than PRP due to the pain incurred during PRP injections 1.

From the FDA Drug Label

Results may be seen as early as 2 months with twice daily use. For some men, it may take at least 4 months for results to be seen If you do not see any results after 4 months, stop using minoxidil topical solution 5%. When you first begin to use minoxidil topical solution 5%, your hair loss may increase temporarily for up to 2 weeks. This is likely a sign that you are getting rid of old hairs in order to regrow more new hairs At first, hair growth is usually soft, downy, colorless hairs (like peach fuzz) After further use, the new hairs should be the same color and thickness as the other hairs on your scalp.

The impact of minoxidil topical solution 5% on hair growth after 2-3 months may include:

• Temporary increase in hair loss for up to 2 weeks, which is a sign of old hairs being replaced by new ones
• Soft, downy, colorless hairs (like peach fuzz) starting to grow
• Noticeable results may be seen as early as 2 months with twice daily use, but it may take longer for some men 2 It is essential to continue using the product to maintain hair regrowth, as stopping it will lead to hair loss again within 3 to 4 months.

From the Research

Impact of Topical Products on Hair Growth

After 2-3 months of using a topical product for hair loss, the impact on hair growth can be observed as follows:

• Increased hair count: According to 3, once-daily 5% minoxidil topical foam increased target area hair count (TAHC) from baseline by 23.9 ± 2.1 hairs/cm2 at week 24.
• Hair regrowth: 4 states that improved hair growth occurred after four to six months of therapy, with twice-daily application seeming to be indicated.
• Mechanism of action: 5 explains that minoxidil acts through multiple pathways, including vasodilator, anti-inflammatory agent, and inducer of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, which may contribute to its effectiveness in promoting hair growth.

Clinical Efficacy of Topical Minoxidil

The clinical efficacy of topical minoxidil can be summarized as follows:

• Peak hair growth: 5 mentions that 2% minoxidil exhibited peak hair growth in males at year one with a decline in subsequent years.
• Comparison of formulations: 3 found that once-daily 5% minoxidil topical foam and twice-daily 2% minoxidil topical solution had similar efficacy in increasing TAHC.
• Combination therapy: 6 suggests that combining minoxidil 5% with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) may provide cost-effective treatment for men with androgenetic alopecia at a willingness-to-pay threshold of $100,000.

Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia

The current guidance and unmet needs for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia are discussed in 7, which highlights the importance of considering the latest treatment methods and their efficacy in treating this condition.