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Dr. Alan J. Bauman is the Founder, Medical Director and Chief Surgeon of the Bauman Medical Group, P.A. located in Wharfside at Boca Pointe in Boca Raton, Florida. His practice is dedicated exclusively to treating male and female pattern hair loss. Dr. Bauman uses state-of-the-art medical and surgical techniques to help his patients maintain and/or restore their scalp hair.
Andy Whiting 2004-11-18
SEVERE Fallout with Minoxidil
I began using Minoxidil 5% for two weeks now on my hairline, frontal, middle, and crown areas which were thinining somewhat in density (the hair was still full length dark hairs and were not falling out very fast at all). Now I am practically bald after two weeks of minoxidil usage. Literally - I counted and have about 300 hairs left on the entire area I used the minoxidil.
Understandbly I am scared out of my mind now!!! Should I STOP using Minoxidil and try to salvage the hairs I still have left OR keep using the minoxidil?
Is this a normal reaction to using Minoxidil regimine? Have you ever had a patient with this reaction and their hair ended up growing back thicker and fuller than prior to use?
I have seen some shedding when minoxidil was started, but nothing as severe as you describe. Minoxidil is a potent stimulator of hair growth, so my suggestion is to continue the medication, and pehaps even consider adding in daily Propecia.
With minoxidil sometimes you see shedding because newly stimulated resting-follicles push out the old hair shaft that was just sitting in the follicle from the last growth cycle.
Minoxidil should stimulate thicker, stronger hair within a few months. Do not lose hope and keep me posted.
Sincerely,
Dr. B.
doctorb@baumanmedical.com
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