Minoxidil Before and After

Minoxidil is a non-prescription hair loss treatment that you apply directly to your scalp. Exactly how it works is still a bit of a mystery, though many theories abound. What’s important is that it’s safe and effective. Around two-thirds of men who use minoxidil in clinical studies see a cessation of hair loss followed by a period of regrowth that lasts for as long as they continue to apply the solution.

But those results take time. You’ll have to apply minoxidil consistently for several months before you see a significant difference. That’s why we’ve collected these images of hair loss patients who have had success using topical minoxidil, sometimes known by the brand name Rogaine. These before and after shots should give you a rough idea of what minoxidil can do for you.

Of course, your experience won’t mirror anyone else’s exactly. Everyone’s response time to minoxidil is different. Still, seeing the treatment’s potential should give you the hope and drive you need to apply it twice daily.

If you’re curious about minoxidil or other hair loss solutions, you should check out our guide to the best hair loss treatment.

Minoxidil works best for growth at the crown and vertex of the scalp. It isn’t ideal for regrowth at the hairline. You’ll want to pay close attention to those areas at the top of the head where thinning hair will appear fuller after a lengthy minoxidil regimen. You’ll see less scalp through the hair and may even notice a significant increase in follicle density.

In the image below, notice that the hairline doesn’t necessarily move forward, but there’s a marked increase in health and density leading up to it. This is after six months of treatment.

That subtle change in growth allows the patient to have a more natural part location and for the style to hide any remaining recession. It looks more like his natural forehead shape and size rather than the appearance of someone struggling with hair loss.

This process takes time, but here’s a look at what you might expect throughout your first 100 days:

There is very little difference in fullness until the day 73 picture. It usually takes around three months to start seeing new growth like this, so, if anything, this timeline is somewhat accelerated.

Let’s take a look at a large handful of minoxidil before and after photos.

Top to bottom, the length of minoxidil treatment goes from shorter to longer (up to 6 months) in these before and after photos.

And here, top-to-bottom, you can see before and after minoxidil photos as treatment progresses during the second half of a year of minoxidil treatment.

If you’d like to experience results like this, our top recommendation for convenient and affordable minoxidil right now is Keeps. You can also enjoy 50% off your first 3 months of minoxidil.

Studies into the efficacy of a combined approach — putting minoxidil and finasteride (Propecia) together — show impressive results. It seems that the drugs work well together, with no contraindications and significantly improved outcomes.

You can see before and after photos for finasteride by following this link, but here are some images that show how well they can work together. Some of these images represent minoxidil combined with topical finasteride, while others represent minoxidil combined with oral finasteride.

Before and after: one year or less

Before and after: more than a year

Studies have demonstrated that topical finasteride does work well in conjunction with minoxidil (as before and after photos also show), though the efficacy rates are not quite as stellar as oral finasteride with minoxidil. On the other hand, topical finasteride carries with it a significantly lower risk of side effects as you use it. Some men would prefer taking a pill rather than applying one more product on their scalp, though.

Whatever your preference, here are our recommendations:

• For minoxidil plus topical finasteride: Hims, hands down – and you can get 50% off your first order
• For minoxidil plus oral finasteride: Keeps, with 50% off your first three months. (The only exception to this rule is if you’ve never used finasteride before and are concerned about potential side effects. In that case, you might be more comfortable working with Hims, which allows you unlimited free consultations as you start your treatment.)

Minoxidil is an excellent choice if you’re opposed to prescription medication, but many studies show that a combination of minoxidil and prescription finasteride can provide immense benefits. However, there are alternatives to either of those options. They include hair restoration or replacement, laser therapy, nanoxidil, and more. To learn more about minoxidil’s cousin, nanoxidil, and what makes them different, check out our Nanoxidil vs Minoxidil guide.

If you’re curious about minoxidil or its viable alternatives, be sure to read our comprehensive Guide to the Best Hair Loss Treatments.