Top 5 Hair Growth Medicine Side Effects
1.
Shedding-The top two hair growth medications have a "shedding" period that is natural to the process of hair re-growth.
Upon beginning treatment with minoxidil or finasteride, many individuals report a noticeable increase in their hair loss! This shedding occurs when hair follicles go dormant before they return stronger in the next growth cycle.
Overall, shedding can be a sign that the medications are working, but in the sort term it can be an unpleasant surprise.
2.
Itching-Applying minoxidil creams, lotions, and foams regularly to the scalp can often result in an uncontrollable itching on that area.
Scalp flaking, irritation, itching and skin rash are common side effects of this popular treatment.
Some over-the-counter shampoos can calm the inflammation; in some cases, the side effect is strong enough to encourage patients to discontinue treatment.
3.
Drowsiness-Minoxidil can cause drowsiness and may impede your ability to drive a car.
Since the treatment is supposed to be applied twice a day, this could cause inconvenience or danger for patients who are affected.
4.
Sexual Dysfunction-The hair growth medications finasteride and dutasteride can cause sexual side effects such as impotence, abnormal ejaculation, decreased volume of ejaculate, gynecomastia or enlargement of the male breast, erectile dysfunction, ejaculation disorder, and testicular pain.
The medical community has not confirmed a relationship between finasteride and male breast cancer, but it has issued a warning that the two may be linked.
5.
Growth of bodily hair-Although it may seem humorous at first since patients do WANT to grow more hair, after 3 to 6 weeks of treatment with minoxidil 80% of patients experience longer, thicker, darker hair growth on areas other than the scalp-this may include the back, arms, legs, and face.
On the face specifically, hair may start to grow at the temples, between the eyebrows, between the hairline and the eyebrows, and on the upper cheeks.
Shedding-The top two hair growth medications have a "shedding" period that is natural to the process of hair re-growth.
Upon beginning treatment with minoxidil or finasteride, many individuals report a noticeable increase in their hair loss! This shedding occurs when hair follicles go dormant before they return stronger in the next growth cycle.
Overall, shedding can be a sign that the medications are working, but in the sort term it can be an unpleasant surprise.
2.
Itching-Applying minoxidil creams, lotions, and foams regularly to the scalp can often result in an uncontrollable itching on that area.
Scalp flaking, irritation, itching and skin rash are common side effects of this popular treatment.
Some over-the-counter shampoos can calm the inflammation; in some cases, the side effect is strong enough to encourage patients to discontinue treatment.
3.
Drowsiness-Minoxidil can cause drowsiness and may impede your ability to drive a car.
Since the treatment is supposed to be applied twice a day, this could cause inconvenience or danger for patients who are affected.
4.
Sexual Dysfunction-The hair growth medications finasteride and dutasteride can cause sexual side effects such as impotence, abnormal ejaculation, decreased volume of ejaculate, gynecomastia or enlargement of the male breast, erectile dysfunction, ejaculation disorder, and testicular pain.
The medical community has not confirmed a relationship between finasteride and male breast cancer, but it has issued a warning that the two may be linked.
5.
Growth of bodily hair-Although it may seem humorous at first since patients do WANT to grow more hair, after 3 to 6 weeks of treatment with minoxidil 80% of patients experience longer, thicker, darker hair growth on areas other than the scalp-this may include the back, arms, legs, and face.
On the face specifically, hair may start to grow at the temples, between the eyebrows, between the hairline and the eyebrows, and on the upper cheeks.
Source...