u/ArtVegetable1740

I’ve been using topical minoxidil for about 14 months. Last year, I had a major shedding episode that lasted around 3 months. After that, my shedding stabilized at around 20–40 hairs/day, with good regrowth.
This year, my new shedding started gradually in late June, so it has now been going on for about 6–7 weeks. For the past 3 weeks, I feel like I’ve been at the peak.
I currently have many short hairs along my frontal hairline, ranging from less than 1 cm to more than 3 cm. What worries me is that when I gently pull on them, some of the hairs under 1 cm come out quite easily.
I also switched topical minoxidil brands in March (Beilleul → Cooper). I’m currently taking iron, vitamin D and Perfectil, and I’m trying to improve my diet and manage my stress.
I’m planning to see my dermatologist in early September, including for a trichoscopy.
I’ll add photos of my frontal hairline to show the short hairs I currently have.
Does the fact that some very short hairs are shedding mean I’m going to lose all my regrowth? Could this be related to minoxidil-induced synchronization? Has anyone experienced a similar shedding episode after more than a year on topical minoxidil?

I’ve been using topical minoxidil for about 14 months. Last year, I had a major shedding episode that lasted around 3 months. After that, my shedding stabilized at around 20–40 hairs/day, with good regrowth.
This year, my new shedding started gradually in late June, so it has now been going on for about 6–7 weeks. For the past 3 weeks, I feel like I’ve been at the peak.
I currently have many short hairs along my frontal hairline, ranging from less than 1 cm to more than 3 cm. What worries me is that when I gently pull on them, some of the hairs under 1 cm come out quite easily.
I also switched topical minoxidil brands in March (Beilleul → Cooper). I’m currently taking iron, vitamin D and Perfectil, and I’m trying to improve my diet and manage my stress.
I’m planning to see my dermatologist in early September, including for a trichoscopy.
I’ll add photos of my frontal hairline to show the short hairs I currently have.
Does the fact that some very short hairs are shedding mean I’m going to lose all my regrowth? Could this be related to minoxidil-induced synchronization? Has anyone experienced a similar shedding episode after more than a year on topical minoxidil?

Hi everyone,
I’m looking for experiences from women who have been using topical minoxidil for more than a year and experienced a significant second shedding phase.
I started 5% topical minoxidil in May 2025. I initially went through a significant shed after starting, which eventually settled. After that, my shedding became much lower and I had noticeable regrowth, including many short new hairs around my hairline.
However, around June/early July 2026, approximately 13–14 months after starting minoxidil, I started experiencing another significant shedding phase.
For the past ~6 weeks, I’ve been losing approximately 100 hairs per day on average, although it fluctuates considerably. On wash days the number can be higher — for example, I had around 130 hairs after washing on one occasion.
Yesterday, however, I had a particularly bad shedding day, much more noticeable than usual, and it really scared me.
What makes this confusing is that:
I still see new short hairs/regrowth.
I don’t see obvious bald patches or a dramatic decrease in scalp density.
The shedding had actually seemed not to be decreasing recently
I have not stopped minoxidil.
Interestingly, my sister started minoxidil around the same period as me, and she is also experiencing a new shedding phase now, although hers is much milder.
Unfortunately, this has started to affect me psychologically. I’ve developed a lot of anxiety around my hair, constantly thinking about the shedding and monitoring how much I lose. Last night I was so anxious that I barely slept and couldn’t fall asleep until around 5 AM. I know this level of anxiety probably isn’t helping me, but I’m finding it very difficult to stop worrying.
I’m wondering if anyone here has experienced a second/late shedding phase around 12–18 months after starting 5% topical minoxidil.
How long did it last for you? Did the shedding eventually settle? And did you maintain your regrowth/density afterward?
I would especially appreciate experiences from women with a similar timeline.
I’m really struggling with the uncertainty right now, so I’d be very grateful to hear from anyone who has gone through something similar. ❤️

Hi everyone,
I’m looking for experiences from women who have been using topical minoxidil for more than a year and experienced a significant second shedding phase.
I started 5% topical minoxidil in May 2025. I initially went through a significant shed after starting, which eventually settled. After that, my shedding became much lower and I had noticeable regrowth, including many short new hairs around my hairline.
However, around June/early July 2026, approximately 13–14 months after starting minoxidil, I started experiencing another significant shedding phase.
For the past ~6 weeks, I’ve been losing approximately 100 hairs per day on average, although it fluctuates considerably. On wash days the number can be higher — for example, I had around 130 hairs after washing on one occasion.
Yesterday, however, I had a particularly bad shedding day, much more noticeable than usual, and it really scared me.
What makes this confusing is that:
I still see new short hairs/regrowth.
I don’t see obvious bald patches or a dramatic decrease in scalp density.
The shedding had actually seemed not to be decreasing recently
I have not stopped minoxidil.
Interestingly, my sister started minoxidil around the same period as me, and she is also experiencing a new shedding phase now, although hers is much milder.
Unfortunately, this has started to affect me psychologically. I’ve developed a lot of anxiety around my hair, constantly thinking about the shedding and monitoring how much I lose. Last night I was so anxious that I barely slept and couldn’t fall asleep until around 5 AM. I know this level of anxiety probably isn’t helping me, but I’m finding it very difficult to stop worrying.
I’m wondering if anyone here has experienced a second/late shedding phase around 12–18 months after starting 5% topical minoxidil.
How long did it last for you? Did the shedding eventually settle? And did you maintain your regrowth/density afterward?
I would especially appreciate experiences from women with a similar timeline.
I’m really struggling with the uncertainty right now, so I’d be very grateful to hear from anyone who has gone through something similar. ❤️

Hi everyone,
I’m looking for experiences from women who have been using topical minoxidil for more than a year and experienced a significant second shedding phase.
I started 5% topical minoxidil in May 2025. I initially went through a significant shed after starting, which eventually settled. After that, my shedding became much lower and I had noticeable regrowth, including many short new hairs around my hairline.
However, around June/early July 2026, approximately 13–14 months after starting minoxidil, I started experiencing another significant shedding phase.
For the past ~6 weeks, I’ve been losing approximately 100 hairs per day on average, although it fluctuates considerably. On wash days the number can be higher — for example, I had around 130 hairs after washing on one occasion.
Yesterday, however, I had a particularly bad shedding day, much more noticeable than usual, and it really scared me.
What makes this confusing is that:
I still see new short hairs/regrowth.
I don’t see obvious bald patches or a dramatic decrease in scalp density.
The shedding had actually seemed not to be decreasing
I have not stopped minoxidil.
Interestingly, my sister started minoxidil around the same period as me, and she is also experiencing a new shedding phase now, although hers is much milder.
Unfortunately, this has started to affect me psychologically. I’ve developed a lot of anxiety around my hair, constantly thinking about the shedding and monitoring how much I lose. Last night I was so anxious that I barely slept and couldn’t fall asleep until around 5 AM. I know this level of anxiety probably isn’t helping me, but I’m finding it very difficult to stop worrying.
I’m wondering if anyone here has experienced a second/late shedding phase around 12–18 months after starting 5% topical minoxidil.
How long did it last for you? Did the shedding eventually settle? And did you maintain your regrowth/density afterward?
I would especially appreciate experiences from women with a similar timeline.
I’m really struggling with the uncertainty right now, so I’d be very grateful to hear from anyone who has gone through something similar. ❤️