Are you experiencing shedding because of hair growth products?
Are you seeing more hair in the shower drain and have a particularly full hairbrush? Increasing hair loss often causes uncertainty and raises many questions. But hair loss is not always a cause for concern. If the so-called shedding effect occurs, for instance in combination with hair growth stimulants, you can even take this as a positive sign and possibly indicates the return of healthy hair growth. We have summarised the most important information about the shedding effect and explain how and why using minoxidil can cause shedding and still not give you cause for concern.
Are you experiencing shedding because of hair growth products?
Are you experiencing shedding because of hair growth products?
Are you seeing more hair in the shower drain and have a particularly full hairbrush? Increasing hair loss often causes uncertainty and raises many questions. But hair loss is not always a cause for concern. If the so-called shedding effect occurs, for instance in combination with hair growth stimulants, you can even take this as a positive sign and possibly indicates the return of healthy hair growth. We have summarised the most important information about the shedding effect and explain how and why using minoxidil can cause shedding and still not give you cause for concern.
Hard to believe, but true: hair loss can be a good sign! At least, if it is the right kind of hair loss. Namely, the so-called shedding effect when using hair growth drugs. But what exactly is shedding?
Shedding comes from the English language and means shedding hair, and thus simply describes the falling out of hair. Regular hair loss is not usually a cause for concern: between 100 and 150 hairs fall out every day. Even if this number sounds alarming at first glance, this hair loss is absolutely normal in proportion to a person's 100,000 to 150,000 hair follicles and is no cause for concern.
However, the situation is different when this number is exceeded, leading to excess sheddings. This is often the result of one of the many forms of hair loss and should therefore be monitored more closely. But not if the shedding is due to the use of hair growth drugs, as this is usually a positive sign and the beginning of a healthy hair cycle.
Facts
100/150
the number of hairs that fall out daily
100.000
average number of hairs on head (but this varies by hair colour)
1st month
is when shedding can occur
How Minoxidil causes shedding and what to watch out for
Wait a minute, a hair growth drug that causes hair loss? Of course, this does not sound good at all. Even paradoxical, since hair growth drugs like minoxidil are used to reduce hair loss. In fact, however, the shedding effect in this case is a good sign, as it speaks of the return to a normal hair cycle. When shedding with minoxidil, hairs that are in the so-called telogen phase, or resting phase, fall out after completion of the growth phase. This allows a new hair cycle to start faster, so shedding can be classified as a symptom of an effective hair growth-stimulating treatment.
Thus, shedding can be caused by various hair growth aids. Unlike vitamins, growth-stimulating lotions, a hair growth laser helmet or minoxidil (including the Regaine brand) can cause increased shedding. This speaks to an accelerated hair growth process and thus corresponds to the desired effect. Users of hair growth drugs should therefore not be put off by minoxidil, even if hair loss increases at the start of application.
Minoxidil Linn is a lotion specifically designed to stimulate hair growth.
This drug has been approved for the treatment of hereditary hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) after long-term research.
Minoxidil can provide visible hair growth after 4 months with effective use.
Minoxidil Linn is a lotion specifically designed to stimulate hair growth.
This drug has been approved for the treatment of hereditary hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) after long-term research.
Minoxidil can provide visible hair growth after 4 months with effective use.
Patience required: This is how long shedding takes
Hair growth is a long-term thing. Even if you use hair growth drugs, you certainly shouldn't bury your head in the sand if a change doesn't occur immediately, as the first signs of a positive hair cycle always take time to appear.
Women who have had experience with minoxidil and experienced shedding, but continued to use it long-term, report positive results in almost all cases. But patience is required. When looking at before-and-after photos of Regaine in women, pay attention to the phase in which the photos were taken. Hair loss usually occurs two to six weeks after starting treatment. But after a few weeks, the shedding effect of Regaine should subside. By then, most of the hair that has completed the growth phase has already fallen out. So the uneven hair cycle has ended and the next (healthy) phase of the hair growth cycle can begin. All in all, this means that it takes several months to see to what extent a hair growth remedy is effective. However, if you use Regaine and don't think shedding stops and you don't see a positive change even after a few weeks, you should consult an expert or contact your dermatologist to rule out other forms of hair loss or causes of shedding.
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Shedding describes excessive hair loss, which can initially cause uncertainty. In fact, shedding is often an initial reaction to a hair growth drug. While increased hair loss can seem frightening at first, in this case it is not a cause for concern because it shows that the hair cycle is responding to the product and initiating initial changes. So, when looking at before and after pictures of minoxidil in women, you should take into account the different stages of hair growth and not be discouraged by a brief increase in hair loss. If the product works, you can enjoy healthy, thicker hair after a few months - despite the initial shedding effect.
