Does the minoxidil pill make you grow facial hair?

October 10, 2025 •

4 min read

Clinical studies have noted that hypertrichosis, or unwanted excessive hair growth, occurs as an adverse effect for a significant percentage of patients on low-dose oral minoxidil. This means that for some, the answer to the question, "Does the minoxidil pill make you grow facial hair?" is a definitive yes, as it is a known, dose-dependent side effect.

Quick Summary

Oral minoxidil, used off-label for hair loss, can cause hypertrichosis, resulting in unwanted facial hair growth in some patients. This article explores why this happens, its dose-dependency, and the available management options for addressing the side effect.

Key Points

Systemic Side Effect: Oral minoxidil's systemic absorption can cause facial hair growth as a side effect, a condition known as hypertrichosis.
Dose-Dependent Risk: The risk and severity of hypertrichosis increase with higher doses of oral minoxidil, while lower doses present a more manageable risk.
Reversible Condition: Unwanted hair growth is not permanent and is reversible, though it may take several months for the new hair to resolve after stopping the medication.
Onset of Growth: Facial hair growth typically begins within weeks to a few months after starting oral minoxidil treatment.
Management Options: Hypertrichosis can be managed by adjusting the dose, switching to topical minoxidil, or using hair removal techniques like shaving or laser treatments.
Common Areas of Growth: Unwanted facial hair growth is most often noticed on the chin, upper lip, temples, and sideburn regions.
Off-Label Use: Oral minoxidil is prescribed off-label for hair loss, originally having been developed to treat high blood pressure.

Oral minoxidil was originally developed as a potent medication for treating severe hypertension (high blood pressure). During its clinical trials for this purpose, researchers inadvertently discovered one of its most prominent side effects: significant hair regrowth and excessive body hair. This unexpected finding led to the development of a topical formulation for treating androgenetic alopecia, or pattern baldness. Today, oral minoxidil is also commonly prescribed off-label by dermatologists to treat various forms of hair loss, including male and female pattern hair loss. However, its systemic nature means it carries the risk of causing unwanted hair growth, or hypertrichosis, in other areas of the body, including the face.

Understanding Oral Minoxidil and Hypertrichosis

Oral minoxidil is a vasodilator, which means it works by widening blood vessels. For hair growth, this is beneficial because it increases blood flow and nutrient delivery to the hair follicles. Additionally, minoxidil helps to prolong the anagen (growth) phase of the hair cycle, leading to thicker and longer hair. Because the medication is taken orally and is absorbed into the bloodstream, its effects are systemic—that is, they are distributed throughout the entire body, not just the scalp.

Hypertrichosis is the medical term for excessive hair growth in any area of the body, and it is a well-documented side effect of oral minoxidil. The development of facial hair is a common manifestation of this side effect. In contrast to a topical application, which primarily targets the area it's applied to, oral minoxidil can stimulate hair growth on the face, arms, back, and legs. The mechanism behind this includes increased blood flow and cellular proliferation in hair follicles across the body.

Why Facial Hair Grows with Oral Minoxidil

As the oral minoxidil circulates in the body, it reaches the hair follicles on the face, where it can stimulate growth. Common areas where unwanted hair growth is noted include:

The chin
The upper lip
The forehead
The temples and sideburn regions
Eyebrows

Patients often report seeing the development of longer, darker, or more noticeable peach fuzz (vellus hair) on their face within several weeks to months of starting treatment. For some, this growth is mild and easily managed, while for others it can be more significant and distressing.

The Role of Dosage in Facial Hair Growth

The prevalence and severity of minoxidil-induced hypertrichosis are directly related to the dosage. Higher doses are associated with a greater risk of unwanted hair growth, while lower doses typically carry a lower risk.

Higher Doses: Studies have shown that as the dose increases, the probability of experiencing hypertrichosis rises. For instance, in one study of male patients using oral minoxidil, a high percentage experienced this side effect at a certain dose. In women, specific doses can lead to more significant facial hair growth for a percentage of users.
Lower Doses: Many physicians start female patients on lower doses to minimize the risk of unwanted hair growth while still achieving therapeutic effects on the scalp. At these lower doses, the side effect is more likely to be minimal and manageable.

Managing Unwanted Facial Hair

For those who experience unwanted facial hair, several management strategies are available in consultation with a healthcare provider:

Dose Adjustment: The most direct approach is to lower the dose of oral minoxidil. Since the effect is dose-dependent, reducing the dosage can often lessen the unwanted hair growth.
Switching Formulation: Another option is to switch from oral minoxidil to the topical version. This reduces systemic absorption and therefore minimizes body and facial hair growth.
Hair Removal Techniques: For hair that has already grown, various methods can be used:
- Shaving
- Waxing
- Dermaplaning
- Laser hair removal
- Depilatory creams
Combination Therapies: For women, some dermatologists may pair low-dose oral minoxidil with an antiandrogen medication like spironolactone, which may help mitigate hypertrichosis.

It is important to remember that the unwanted hair growth from oral minoxidil is not permanent. If the medication is discontinued, the excess hair will gradually fall out, though this process can take several months.

Oral Minoxidil vs. Topical Minoxidil for Hair Growth and Side Effects


Feature	Oral Minoxidil	Topical Minoxidil
Application Method	Taken as a pill, absorbed systemically.	Applied directly to the scalp as a liquid or foam.
Systemic Absorption	Full systemic absorption, causing widespread effects.	Minimal systemic absorption, with effects primarily localized to the application area.
Effectiveness	Generally considered more effective due to higher bioavailability.	May be less effective for some individuals due to less absorption.
Facial Hair Risk	Significant risk of hypertrichosis affecting the face and other body areas.	Risk of facial hair is lower, but can occur if the product is transferred to the face.
Ease of Use	Simple, once-daily pill.	Requires daily application, can cause irritation and leave residue.
Other Side Effects	Higher risk of systemic side effects like headaches, fluid retention, and rapid heartbeat.	Primarily localized side effects, such as scalp irritation and itching.

Conclusion

In conclusion, yes, the minoxidil pill does make you grow facial hair, along with potentially other unwanted body hair, as a systemic side effect known as hypertrichosis. This risk is dose-dependent, meaning higher doses carry a greater likelihood and severity of this effect. While potentially distressing, the condition is temporary and reversible upon discontinuation of the medication. For those considering oral minoxidil for hair loss, a discussion with a healthcare provider is essential to weigh the potential benefits of scalp hair regrowth against the risk of unwanted body and facial hair, as well as other systemic side effects. Options for managing or mitigating hypertrichosis include dose reduction, switching to the topical formulation, and various hair removal methods. For more information, consult a qualified dermatologist.

Frequently Asked Questions

The occurrence of facial hair growth (hypertrichosis) with oral minoxidil is dose-dependent. Studies show a range of prevalence, with some reporting hypertrichosis in a percentage of patients. Higher doses are associated with higher rates, sometimes affecting a significant percentage of women.

No, the facial hair growth induced by oral minoxidil is not permanent. It is a temporary side effect that will resolve once you stop taking the medication. However, it can take several months for the new hair growth to go away completely.

Yes, reducing the dose is a common strategy to mitigate unwanted facial hair growth. Since the side effect is dose-dependent, a lower dose may produce satisfactory scalp hair results with more manageable facial hair side effects, but consult your healthcare provider before making any changes.

While hypertrichosis can occur in both men and women, women tend to be more sensitive to minoxidil's hair growth effects, especially concerning facial hair. Some estimates suggest that a percentage of women using oral minoxidil will experience this side effect.

Facial hair growth may be first noticed several weeks to a few months after starting oral minoxidil. For some individuals who are very sensitive to the medication, it can appear earlier.

Oral minoxidil carries a higher risk of hypertrichosis due to its systemic effects. Topical minoxidil has a lower risk, but unwanted facial hair can still occur, typically from the product inadvertently running down the face or through hand transfer.

In addition to the face, oral minoxidil can stimulate unwanted hair growth on other areas of the body due to its systemic absorption. This may include the back, arms, and legs.