Tag: Hair follicles

Minoxidil is an FDA-approved topical treatment widely used for hair regrowth, yet one of the most common questions remains: **Does minoxidil reactivate dead hair follicles?** The short and simple answer, supported by extensive research, is no—minoxidil cannot revive follicles that have ceased to exist. However, the medication is highly effective at stimulating existing, but dormant or miniaturized, hair follicles, a critical distinction for anyone considering this treatment.

Over 18% of minoxidil users experience an initial phase of increased hair shedding, often called the “dread shed”. So, why does hair shed when using minoxidil, and is this temporary side effect a normal part of the process? The shedding is an expected and temporary part of treatment, indicating that the medication is actively working to reset your hair’s growth cycle and make way for new, healthier strands.

Androgenetic alopecia, or pattern hair loss, affects an estimated 50 million men and 30 million women in the United States [1.9.3]. A common question is, **does minoxidil cause hair follicles** to regrow? The answer is nuanced: it revitalizes existing follicles rather than creating new ones [1.3.1, 1.3.2].

In clinical trials, a temporary increase in hair shedding was noted within the first 2–12 weeks of using 5% minoxidil. Knowing the typical timeline for this initial "dread shed" is crucial for anyone wondering, how long does minoxidil shedding last? This temporary phase is actually a positive sign that the medication is actively resetting the hair growth cycle.

In clinical trials, finasteride has been shown to halt the progression of hair loss in a significant percentage of men. While its ability to prevent further thinning is well-documented, a crucial question for many is: **does finasteride wake up hair follicles** that have already become inactive? This article explores the science behind the medication's effect on the hair growth cycle.