Minoxidil results, month by month: what 1,972 people reported
Before-and-after photos of minoxidil are everywhere, but one photo says little about what to expect. This page collects 2,380 progress reports by 1,972 people on r/tressless (2013–2026) who posted their own results after a stated time on minoxidil, 1,089 of them with photos, and counts what they said about it.
What the label says
The US label of 5% minoxidil foam for men says: “Results may occur at 2 months with twice a day usage. For some men, you may need to use this product for at least 4 months before you see results.” It also says to stop and ask a doctor if chest pain, rapid heartbeat, faintness or dizziness, sudden weight gain, swelling of the hands or feet, scalp irritation or unwanted facial hair occurs, or if you “do not see hair regrowth in 4 months” (DailyMed label, checked 16 Oct 2026). The reports below show how that played out for people who wrote about it.
How people described their results, by time on minoxidil
Each person counts once per time bracket (their latest report in it). 1,417 of the 1,972 people also took finasteride or dutasteride, so these are mostly not minoxidil-only results; the next section splits them.
under 2 months (230) 37% regrowth · 0% holding · 8% worse · 55% unclear (of those who gave a view: 82% regrowth) · 21% mention shedding
2–3 months (692) 50% regrowth · 1% holding · 6% worse · 43% unclear (of those who gave a view: 88% regrowth) · 17% mention shedding
4–5 months (363) 41% regrowth · 1% holding · 9% worse · 48% unclear (of those who gave a view: 80% regrowth) · 18% mention shedding
6–8 months (399) 38% regrowth · 3% holding · 14% worse · 45% unclear (of those who gave a view: 69% regrowth) · 18% mention shedding
9–11 months (133) 44% regrowth · 2% holding · 16% worse · 38% unclear (of those who gave a view: 71% regrowth) · 23% mention shedding
1–2 years (240) 39% regrowth · 5% holding · 15% worse · 41% unclear (of those who gave a view: 66% regrowth) · 15% mention shedding
2 years or more (165) 24% regrowth · 12% holding · 26% worse · 38% unclear (of those who gave a view: 39% regrowth) · 13% mention shedding
- saw regrowth or thicker hair
- said their hair was holding (no further loss)
- said it was still getting worse
- didn’t say, or asked others to judge
Read with care: these are people who chose to post, in a hair-loss community. People who see regrowth like to show it, and people who gave up often stop posting, so the shares are not success rates.
Topical or oral, with or without finasteride (6 months or more)
One report per person, their latest at 6 months or more on minoxidil.
| What they used | People | regrowth | holding | worse | unclear |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Topical minoxidil, no finasteride/dutasteride | 107 | 34% | 7% | 17% | 42% |
| Oral minoxidil, no finasteride/dutasteride | 15 | 33% | 0% | 13% | 53% |
| Topical minoxidil + finasteride or dutasteride | 368 | 40% | 4% | 14% | 41% |
| Oral minoxidil + finasteride or dutasteride | 62 | 37% | 5% | 24% | 34% |
This compares groups of people who posted, not treatments in a trial: who picks oral minoxidil, or adds finasteride, differs in age, hair loss and how long they had been losing hair.
Side effects people mentioned
Share of people whose progress report mentions it (latest report each). People mention side effects when they matter to them, so these are not frequencies from a study.
| Mentioned | Everyone (1,972) | Topical (1,072) | Oral (184) |
|---|---|---|---|
| shedding (the “dread shed”) | 18% | 18% | 26% |
| itchy, flaky or red scalp | 4% | 5% | 1% |
| more facial or body hair | 3% | 1% | 18% |
| other (headache, dizziness, etc.) | 1% | 1% | 3% |
| heart racing, palpitations or chest symptoms | 1% | 1% | 3% |
| swelling (face, eyes, ankles) | 0% | 0% | 2% |
The same people, later
50 people posted an early report (under 6 months) and a later one (9 months or more, at least 3 months after). Early on, 44% described regrowth; in their later report 48% did, 4% said it was holding and 16% said it was getting worse.
People happy with their progress are more likely to post an update, so this group leans positive.
“I’m noticing baby hairs on the corners im pretty sure there weren’t any”
4 weeks in, topical (reddit, Aug 2024)“Been on it for a year with fin and dut but it didn’t do anything at all”
Same person, 12 months in (reddit, Dec 2025)“2 Month Topical Minoxidil Regrowth Update”
2 months in, topical (reddit, Aug 2022)“I’m so happy with here I’m at right now”
Same person, 18 months in (reddit, Feb 2024)“Additionally, I believe that my hair looks and feels thicker.”
3 months in, topical (reddit, Dec 2022)“the temples have been slowest filling in, but they have seen some progress which is nice”
Same person, 9 months in (reddit, Jun 2023)“3 months of topical finasteride and way below base line”
3 months in, topical (reddit, Aug 2021)“Finally getting some noticeable gains on the hairline!”
Same person, 10 months in (reddit, Jun 2023)“Pretty happy at the moment tho, since I got a compliment from a friend that my hair looks better hehe.”
4 months in, oral (reddit, Jan 2022)“I recommend people generally to start with 5 mg oral minoxidil because it helped me a lot.”
Same person, 2 years in (reddit, May 2023)“I'm happy with where I'm at even if what patches I have left don't fill in”
4 months in (reddit, Sept 2022)“I'm really happy with my progress and it would be great to have the back fill in more.”
Same person, 12 months in (reddit, Apr 2023)“extremely happy with the results so far”
4 months in (reddit, Jul 2022)“I cannot believe this is the progress in such a short amount of time.”
Same person, 12 months in (reddit, Mar 2023)“My 3 month progress, Hims topical fin/min, RU, Derma, Vitamins, keto”
3 months in, topical (reddit, Apr 2022)“1 year went by and I thought I’d have bigger results.”
Same person, 12 months in (reddit, Feb 2023)
When people stopped
67 people posted about what happened after they stopped minoxidil: 28 said they lost hair or their gains, 6 that it held, 5 that it was still fine or better, and 28 didn't say.
“I remember taking it for 6 months and nothing and I quit”
should I restart oral minoxidil? I remember taking it for 6 months and nothing and I quit anyone a late respond on minoxidil? (reddit, Feb 2026; used it 6 months)“However, I stopped using Minoxidil, and my hair loss quickly came back and worsened.”
Is 6 months of shedding normal topical minoxidil and topical Finasterid (fynzur)? (reddit, Nov 2025; used it 8 months)“but I’ve definitely thinned out on the sides near my ear in particular”
“Lost all my hairline regrowth due to 2 weeks break of my topical fin / min”
“after 1 week of using it I decided it's not for me”
Topical minoxidil after 1 week dread shed (reddit, Dec 2024; used it 1 week)
In their own words, by time on minoxidil
under 2 months
“I am losing my mind with this shedding phase”
1.5 months on minoxidil and 15 days of 1mg fin (reddit, Jan 2026; 7 weeks, with finasteride/dutasteride; worse)“Hair didn’t appear fuller looking and now it does.”
10% Liposomal Minoxidil Sulphate results (1.5 months) (reddit, Nov 2025; 7 weeks, topical; regrowth)“I'm still shedding a lot (around 200-300 hairs per day).”
Switched to oral minoxidil from topical 3 weeks ago, insane shedding. (reddit, Sept 2025; 3 weeks, oral; worse)“Now I’m experiencing some moderate shedding”
Switched from topical to oral minoxidil one month ago (reddit, Jul 2025; 4 weeks, oral; unclear)“Now, when I look closely, I can see baby hairs starting to grow on my temples.”
Baby Hairs Growing After 1 Month on Minoxidil (reddit, Apr 2025; 4 weeks, topical; regrowth)“3 weeks on Minoxidil and still no shedding at all”
3 weeks on Minoxidil and still no shedding at all?!?! (reddit, Dec 2024; 3 weeks; unclear)
2–3 months
“my hair is now more voluminous with 3 months topical use”
3 months topical minoxidil, now switched (1 week already) to oral (reddit, Jul 2026; 3 months, oral + topical; regrowth)“I started treatment feb 15th with topical minoxidil only. Had a HUGE shed.”
3-4 months Diffuse AGA treatment progress pics (reddit, Jun 2026; 4 months, topical; unclear; photos on reddit)“To me, the difference already looks quite significant, and I’m really encouraged by the growth.”
3-Month Progress: 5% Topical Minoxidil + Microneedling (No Finasteride) (reddit, May 2026; 3 months, topical; regrowth; photos on reddit)“I’ve been mostly consistent and the initial shedding phase has settled.”
Been on minoxidil + fin for ~3 months — how long should I continue & how to stop with minimal loss? (reddit, Jan 2026; 3 months, topical, with finasteride/dutasteride; unclear)“I started minoxidil over 3 months now and I still don’t see any progress even if really small”
I started minoxidil over 3 months now and I still don’t see any progress even if really small (reddit, Jan 2026; 3 months; unclear)“I’m seeing good improvement again: my hairline is filling in”
3 months progress pictures(min+fin+microneedling) (reddit, Oct 2025; 3 months, with finasteride/dutasteride; regrowth; photos on reddit)
4–5 months
“I still haven’t seen any regrowth”
4 months fina + minox topical no result (reddit, May 2026; 4 months, with finasteride/dutasteride; worse)“I have been taking this dose continuously and no effect whatsoever.”
No result with 2.5 mg oral minoxidil and 0.5 mg finasteride since 4 months (reddit, May 2026; 4 months, oral, with finasteride/dutasteride; unclear)“I’ve seen mild progress — reduced hair fall + slight regrowth (nothing dramatic yet).”
Title: 33M | 4 months progress on Topical Min 10% + Oral Fin (alt) | Added Oral Min 2.5 mg — experiences? (reddit, Apr 2026; 4 months, topical, with finasteride/dutasteride; regrowth)“I've had ZERO result whatsoever, and it's been 5 months”
No results on mine in 5 months, should i quit? (reddit, Jan 2026; 5 months, oral + topical, with finasteride/dutasteride; unclear)“After 4 months on oral minoxidil my progress is suddenly gone, why?”
After 4 months on oral minoxidil my progress is suddenly gone, why? (reddit, Dec 2025; 4 months, oral, with finasteride/dutasteride; worse)“With bare eyes growth is insane”
5 months fin + minox + dermaroller progress (reddit, Nov 2025; 5 months, with finasteride/dutasteride; regrowth; photos on reddit)
6–8 months
“I am 8 months with minox, the first months of use I had more hair loss”
Crown Progress After 1 Month of Oral Finasteride (reddit, Jul 2026; 8 months, oral, with finasteride/dutasteride; unclear; photos on reddit)“I feel like I haven't seen any results.”
6 months topical minox/finasteride 2ml/day (reddit, Jul 2026; 6 months, topical, with finasteride/dutasteride; unclear)“My hair is actually thinner/worse now, than before I started.”
Topical minoxil for 6 months - no regrowth + itching (reddit, May 2026; 6 months, topical; worse)“7 months in on Finasteride + Minoxodil... no results.”
7 months in on Finasteride + Minoxodil... no results. Feeling bummed. (reddit, Apr 2026; 7 months, with finasteride/dutasteride; unclear)“So far I don’t really see any noticeable improvement, maybe just maintenance at best.”
7 months on oral min (2.5mg) + fin — anyone see results later? (reddit, Apr 2026; 7 months, oral, with finasteride/dutasteride; holding)“I saw some improvement initially, but now the progress seems to have slowed down”
I started using topical minoxidil along with dutasteride 8 months ago. I saw some improvement initially, but now the progress seems to have slowed down, even though I continue derma rolling every weekend. Should I switch to oral minoxidil, or should I take oral minoxidil in the morning and topical m (reddit, Apr 2026; 8 months, topical, with finasteride/dutasteride; unclear)
9–11 months
“After the shedding normalized, I actually noticed a slight apparent improvement in my hairline compared to before.”
Delayed oral minoxidil shed update: lasted about 8 to 10 weeks and recovered (reddit, May 2026; 9 months, oral; regrowth)“9 months ago, I decided to add topical Min, which prompted an insane shed which has not stopped since.”
9 month minoxidil topical shed (reddit, Apr 2026; 9 months, oral + topical, with finasteride/dutasteride; worse)“I think I have a little bit of regrowth but not sure.”
30M, Topical Min + Oral Fin, 11 months (reddit, Apr 2026; 11 months, topical, with finasteride/dutasteride; unclear; photos on reddit)“At first, I had fairly encouraging results.”
Topical 6% minoxidil + 0.05% finasteride: has anyone felt like their AGA started coming back after 8 to 10 months of good results? (reddit, Apr 2026; 9 months, topical, with finasteride/dutasteride; unclear)“Long shed after initial improvement”
Long shed after initial improvement — 9 months, lost progress. Switch to dutasteride? (reddit, Apr 2026; 11 months, with finasteride/dutasteride; worse)“I don't lose more hair, but I also don't grow more hair.”
9-Month Routine Update. Advice? (reddit, Mar 2026; 9 months, topical, with finasteride/dutasteride; holding)
1–2 years
“I have seen decent results but still expected more.”
1yr+ on topical Min/Fin. I still notice few small hairs falling when i brush my hair. common to lose few strands (10-15) everyday?? (reddit, Jul 2026; 12 months, topical, with finasteride/dutasteride; regrowth)“my hair is still the thinnest it’s ever been and well below baseline”
Has anyone seen progress on their first regrowth on after 1 year on dutasteride? (reddit, Jul 2026; 12 months, oral, with finasteride/dutasteride; worse)“I’m already in the mist of a shed and I do NOT want to backtrack.”
I’ve been on topical fin/min combo spray for 1 year and 6 months and on oral fin 1mg daily for 1 year and a month. (reddit, Jul 2026; 18 months, topical, with finasteride/dutasteride; unclear)“Crown still looks the same in bathroom light tbh.”
added laser phototherapy to my minoxidil routine 3 months ago.. the combination results surprised me (reddit, Jul 2026; 18 months, topical, with finasteride/dutasteride; unclear)“in the first year of minoxidil I recovered a lot (I’m a diffuse thinner)”
Shedding After 3 years of finasteride and 1,5 years of Topic minoxidil 5% (reddit, Jun 2026; 18 months, topical, with finasteride/dutasteride; unclear)“I haven’t really noticed any meaningful regrowth, and I’m not even sure my hair loss has stabilized.”
1 year on Finasteride + Oral Minoxidil with little results — time to switch? (reddit, May 2026; 12 months, oral, with finasteride/dutasteride; worse)
2 years or more
“Till now, no improvements at all.”
No result after 2 years. Should I still continue? (reddit, Jun 2026; 2 years, topical, with finasteride/dutasteride; worse)“2 years ago I started minoxidil oral, 2.5 mg caps, got insane results alongside with more body hair, longer eyelashed and a full beard.”
I changed minoxidil formulation after 2 years and lost all progress (reddit, Jun 2026; 2 years, oral, with finasteride/dutasteride; regrowth)“On dutasteride and topical minoxidil for two years, crown balding not stopping or reversing”
Horribly depressed: On dutasteride and topical minoxidil for two years, crown balding not stopping or reversing (reddit, May 2026; 2 years, topical, with finasteride/dutasteride; worse)“2 years of 5% topical minoxidil + 1 year of 1mg finasteride.”
2 years of 5% topical minoxidil + 1 year of 1mg finasteride. (reddit, Apr 2026; 2 years, topical, with finasteride/dutasteride; regrowth; photos on reddit)“Have been taking Dutasteride and 5mg oral Minoxidil for about 3 years.”
[M40] 3 year DUT + oral Min update (very fine hair structure). Super happy! (reddit, Mar 2026; 3 years, oral, with finasteride/dutasteride; regrowth; photos on reddit)“I've been on the minoxidil and dutasteride for about 2 years.”
(M21) 2 years on minoxidil+dut currently doing PRP, hair fall increased . (reddit, Mar 2026; 2 years, with finasteride/dutasteride; worse)
Recent progress posts with photos
- Crown Progress After 1 Month of Oral Finasteride (Jul 2026; 8 months, oral; unclear)
- 3-4 months Diffuse AGA treatment progress pics (Jun 2026; 4 months, topical; unclear)
- 3-Month Progress: 5% Topical Minoxidil + Microneedling (No Finasteride) (May 2026; 3 months, topical; regrowth)
- Results after 1 year of treatment (21 M) (May 2026; 12 months, oral + topical; unclear)
- 30M, Topical Min + Oral Fin, 11 months (Apr 2026; 11 months, topical; unclear)
- 2 years of 5% topical minoxidil + 1 year of 1mg finasteride. (Apr 2026; 2 years, topical; regrowth)
- [M40] 3 year DUT + oral Min update (very fine hair structure). Super happy! (Mar 2026; 3 years, oral; regrowth)
- Is there any progress? (2 months) (Mar 2026; 2 months, topical; unclear)
- (22M) 4 Months on Topical minoxidil + Topical finasteride + Dermarolling (Feb 2026; 4 months, topical; unclear)
- Is this progress? 2 months on 5mg minoxidil, 1mg fin (Jan 2026; 2 months, oral; unclear)
- M21, 2 Years on Minoxidil but but things are getting worse (Jan 2026; 2 years; worse)
- 5 months fin + minox + dermaroller progress (Nov 2025; 5 months; regrowth)
- Five months progress on fin/min (Nov 2025; 5 months, topical; regrowth)
- What do you guys think? The difference between the first picture and the second one is 3 months (Oct 2025; 3 months; unclear)
- 3 months progress pictures(min+fin+microneedling) (Oct 2025; 3 months; regrowth)
- Oral Minoxidil – 15 weeks update (5 mg daily) (Oct 2025; 3 months, oral; regrowth)
- [30M] Regenera Activ (7 Weeks) + Topical Dutasteride/Minoxidil (12 Weeks) (Sept 2025; 3 months, topical; regrowth)
- (19M 1 month Min result after a head shave (Aug 2025; 4 weeks, topical; unclear)
- 4 months progress, fin/min daily (May 2025; 4 months, topical; regrowth)
- 1 YEAR AGO VS TODAY / 1 YEAR AGO VS TODAY (May 2025; 12 months; unclear)
How this page was made
We took r/tressless posts whose title reads like a progress report with a stated time (“6 months minoxidil update”, “1 year results”), that mention minoxidil in the post or the poster's own comments, and left out transplant posts. Each post was read to note whether it is the poster's own result, how long they had used minoxidil, oral or topical, what else they took, how they described the result and any side effects they had. Photos were not judged: the verdict is the poster's own words. Each quote is copied word for word from the post or the poster's comment it links to. Removed posts are left out and usernames are not shown. Data as of Oct 2026.
Next: how to use minoxidil (foam or liquid, oral or topical), finasteride results, minoxidil vs finasteride, the receding-hairline self-check, mature hairline vs receding, the Norwood stages, or, if a transplant is ever the question, the independent doctor directory.
SaveMyHairline is an independent hair transplant doctor directory: published prices, checked credentials and real patient reports, with sources — and no clinic can pay to appear.