taking minoxidil in "spurts"

[bumpkin]

I've been taking minoxidil for almost 2 years now, and have had pretty good results I suppose - haven't lost any more hair, and crown looks to have improved slightly.

Anyhow, my doctor said that minoxidil should be used in "spurts". Twice daily for 3 months, and then take a month off...and so forth.

Does this make any sense to you all?

 

[Bryan]

It doesn't make any sense to me. I have no idea what he was talking about, or why he would say such a thing.

 

[bumpkin]

haha

Well, my doctor is in his mid-50's and has a full head of thick hair, so perhaps he isn't the most reliable source.

However, I can't imagine he'd just make something like this up. His reasoning is that minoxidil starts losing its effectiveness after 3 months, and your body needs to take a break (of one month) before it can respond well to it again.

He did say that if you took a break of 3-4 months, you would start losing any hair that minoxidil helped you gain, and any hair that it prevented from falling out, so he does seem to have a basic understanding of it...

 

[TheGrayMan2001]

There is no reason to do such a thing. In fact, the only reasonable conclusion is that this would hinder maintenance and\or gains by minoxidil.

 

[sunseter]

but I agree it is hard to believe a dr would make up something like this.

 

[Bryan]

Well, my doctor is in his mid-50's and has a full head of thick hair, so perhaps he isn't the most reliable source.

However, I can't imagine he'd just make something like this up. His reasoning is that minoxidil starts losing its effectiveness after 3 months, and your body needs to take a break (of one month) before it can respond well to it again.

He did say that if you took a break of 3-4 months, you would start losing any hair that minoxidil helped you gain, and any hair that it prevented from falling out, so he does seem to have a basic understanding of it...

I've read a TON of comments and studies about topical minoxidil from doctors and specialists who made their reports in various prestigious medical journals, but I've NEVER seen anything similar to what your doctor said in that middle paragraph above. I don't think your doctor knows what he's talking about, and you can tell him I said so!

 

[Shift]

In fact my doctor has said the same but he suggested a month break during a year period.

 

[bumpkin]

I'm wondering if both our doctors read the same medical journal or something. Perhaps just a coincidence that this concept of taking a break would be recommended by two different doctors?

I'm being cautious and my "break" is going to be for a week. In the meantime, I've cut down to once per day for the last couple weeks.

Hope I'm not shooting myself in the foot.

 

[Bryan]

I'm wondering if both our doctors read the same medical journal or something. Perhaps just a coincidence that this concept of taking a break would be recommended by two different doctors?

Once again, tell him what I said above, and ask him where in the sam hell he got the idea that you have to "take a break" regularly from using topical minoxidil. Tell him I've read TONS of stuff about using Rogaine in numerous medical journals, and I've NEVER seen any suggestion or hint of such a thing. Ask him WHERE THE HELL he got such a goofy idea!!

 

[WillNotLetItHappen]

I've heard people on German forums discussing some kind of on-off-routine, like 3 weeks on minoxidil and then 1 week off. Some claim to have success with that but it is anecdotal. No idea, I guess one has to try at the risk of it not working as well.

This is supposed to be for minoxidil to stay effective for you longer. Maybe this is what your doctor was talking about.

 

[rcom440]

There is theory about taking a couple days off from minoxidil can boosts results but only a couple of days. I don't see anything good about taking entire month off.
Please don't listen to your doctor when it comes to the hairloss.

 

[rcom440]

I've heard people on German forums discussing some kind of on-off-routine, like 3 weeks on minoxidil and then 1 week off. Some claim to have success with that but it is anecdotal. No idea, I guess one has to try at the risk of it not working as well.

This is supposed to be for minoxidil to stay effective for you longer. Maybe this is what your doctor was talking about.

Contrary to common belief, minoxidil never loses its effectiveness.

 

[Bryan]

Contrary to common belief, minoxidil never loses its effectiveness.

As I've been saying for years and years on hairloss sites, topical minoxidil doesn't appear to interfere with the fundamental balding process, so balding slowly continues, even when you use minoxidil. But it's a horse of a different color to claim that you develop any sort of "tolerance" to topical minoxidil, requiring a person to take some time off it, on a regular basis. I've never seen any scientific evidence at all for THAT idea.

 

[WillNotLetItHappen]

I fully agree. I'm just stating what some people seem to be doing. With so many things when it comes to hair loss, people start experimenting. And there's nothing wrong with that. It may work for you for whatever reason. Or it may not.

 

[rcom440]

Contrary to common belief, minoxidil never loses its effectiveness.

As I've been saying for years and years on hairloss sites, topical minoxidil doesn't appear to interfere with the fundamental balding process, so balding slowly continues, even when you use minoxidil.

Exactly.
That's why some people believe minoxidil loses its effectiveness over years.

 

[bumpkin]

thanks all for your responses!

I've decided that my break would only be the two weeks where I went to once per day...have to say it was nice not having to apply it in the morning.

 

[rcom440]

Just want to let you know that you can still get nice results while applying minoxidil once a day.

 

[chessmaniac12]

Just want to let you know that you can still get nice results while applying minoxidil once a day.

However i asked it to 4 dermatologs and all said that if you use 2ml a day, its same.

off course if you use 1ml a day, you can still get good results but not at 2ml a day rate...

1 month off is too much. at maximum 2 weeks is good.

Guys, what can we do to block Minoxidil residue/White flakes? answer please...

Btw, using liquid morning and night 1ml are difficult. Firstly, if hairs are long, 1ml is not enough. if you use more than 1ml, your heart will be problem and you will feel really bad...

Then, its greasy, i hate this. it effect social life much. in this case, 2ml at night is the answer.

 

[Primo]

Guys, what can we do to block Minoxidil residue/White flakes? answer please...

Btw, using liquid morning and night 1ml are difficult. Firstly, if hairs are long, 1ml is not enough. if you use more than 1ml, your heart will be problem and you will feel really bad...

Then, its greasy, i hate this. it effect social life much. in this case, 2ml at night is the answer.

Well to minimise the residue/flakes you need to use Nizoral or even just a mild anti-dandruff shampoo like Head and Shoulders will help.

Also, in the mornings try using the Rogaine foam or non-greasy liquid minoxidil formulas (i.e. not Rogaine liquid or Kirkland), you can find plenty of these online.

Personally, I use the foam in the mornings as it's light and non-greasy and makes hair styling much, much easier. Kirkland minoxidil however, looks like Dax Wax in my hair.

 

[chessmaniac12]

i use Nizoral 2 times a week since 8-9 months but still didnt help much.

Regarding 1 day use, One of my friends had great results with one time usage,
He sometimes gives a 1-2 days off, he had great results in 3-4 months period.
he said that he uses 2ml or less at night...