From the Guidelines
After 6 months of consistent use, topical hair loss treatments, particularly those combining PRP with minoxidil, show significant improvements in hair growth, with increased hair density and diameter. When using a topical product for hair loss, the impact on hair growth after 6 months can be substantial, especially when using a combination of treatments. According to a study by 1, PRP injections combined with topical 5% minoxidil therapy have been shown to be safe and effective, with a significant increase in hair density.
Key Findings:
- A study published in 2025 1 found that PRP injections combined with topical minoxidil were more effective than minoxidil alone or PRP alone in treating androgenetic alopecia.
- Another study 1 found that the combination of PRP and minoxidil resulted in a statistically significant increase in hair density after 6 months.
- The standard regimen for minoxidil involves applying 5% minoxidil solution twice daily to the scalp, ensuring the area is clean and dry before application.
- For optimal results, users should apply 1ml per treatment, focusing on thinning areas and allowing it to dry completely.
Treatment Options:
- Minoxidil (available as Rogaine) is the most established topical treatment, with most users experiencing reduced hair shedding after 2-3 months and visible new growth by 4-6 months.
- Prescription alternatives like topical finasteride or combination products (minoxidil with finasteride) may show similar timelines but potentially greater efficacy.
- PRP injections combined with topical minoxidil have been shown to be a highly effective treatment modality for androgenetic alopecia.
Important Considerations:
- Results at 6 months represent early success, and continued use is necessary to maintain and enhance growth.
- If minimal improvement occurs after 6 months, consulting a dermatologist about alternative or complementary treatments is recommended.
- The effectiveness of PRP and minoxidil can vary depending on individual factors, such as the severity of hair loss and the presence of other medical conditions.
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 In studies with minoxidil topical solution 5%, hair regrowth has not been shown to last longer than 48 weeks of continuous treatment in large clinical trials.
The impact of minoxidil topical solution 5% on hair growth after 6 months is that results may be seen as early as 2 months with twice daily use, and for some men, it may take at least 4 months for results to be seen. However, hair regrowth has not been shown to last longer than 48 weeks of continuous treatment in large clinical trials 2.
- Key points:
- Results may be seen as early as 2 months
- May take at least 4 months for results to be seen
- Hair regrowth may not last longer than 48 weeks of continuous treatment
- Clinical decision: Continued use of minoxidil topical solution 5% is necessary to maintain hair regrowth, and if stopped, hair loss will begin again 2.
From the Research
Impact of Topical Products on Hair Growth
- Topical minoxidil has been shown to be efficacious for the treatment of hair loss due to male and female androgenetic alopecia, alopecia areata, with case-by-case application for traction alopecia, hair transplantation, and congenital hair disorders 3.
- Improved hair growth occurred after four to six months of therapy with topical minoxidil, with twice-daily application seeming to be indicated 4.
- In a five-year study, 2% minoxidil exhibited peak hair growth in males at year one with a decline in subsequent years, and topical minoxidil causes hair regrowth in both frontotemporal and vertex areas 5.
- After 6 months of administration, minoxidil 5 mg/day was significantly more effective than topical 5% and 2% in male AGA, and low-dose 0.5-5 mg/day may also be safe and effective for female pattern hair loss and chronic telogen effluvium 5.
Efficacy of Topical Minoxidil
- Topical minoxidil has been studied in concentrations ranging from 0.01% to 15% for the treatment of AGA resulting in hair growth ranging from 17% to 70% 3.
- Concentrations from 3% to 5% have been used to treat alopecia areata, 2% to treat traction alopecia, and 1% to 5% for congenital hair disorders with varying levels of treatment success 3.
- Once-daily 5% minoxidil topical foam increased target area hair count from baseline by 23.9 ± 2.1 hairs/cm2 at week 24, and twice-daily 2% minoxidil topical solution increased target area hair count 24.2 ± 2.1 hairs/cm2 at week 24 6.
Combination Therapies
- Combination therapies using minoxidil with systemic, topical, and injectable therapies demonstrate increased effectiveness over monotherapies 3.
- Laser-assisted drug delivery of platelet-rich plasma - with or without bimatoprost and/or minoxidil - may provide an efficacious means for the administration of platelet-rich plasma to the scalp, enabling the uniform placement of platelet-rich plasma in the dermis and eliminating the injection-associated pain 7.