Millions may be at risk from a popular hair loss treatment.
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Doctors are issuing a new warning after a surprising side effect was uncovered.
A routine hair regrowth regimen led to an unusual medical case in France.
And it’s prompting a closer look at how this common product is being used.
A 28-year-old woman with hereditary hair loss started using 5% minoxidil spray twice a day.
She applied one milliliter per use, exactly as approved by the FDA. Alongside the spray, she was also taking vitamin D and zinc supplements.
She also underwent platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections and LED light therapy.
To hide her thinning hair, she wore a wig during the day and a tight cap at night. Importantly, she applied minoxidil just before covering her head.
Doctors reported that this created “constantly occluded, day and night.”
This setup significantly increased the medication’s absorption into her bloodstream. Within two months, she reported abnormal hair growth on her face, arms, and legs.
Doctors diagnosed her with hypertrichosis—excessive hair growth due to systemic exposure.
According to their findings, the treatment which causes the drug to be absorbed at much higher levels in her blood. They believe occlusion from the cap and wig was the primary trigger.
Also read: Millions of Americans are losing their hair—here's what you need to know
Minoxidil, known in the US under the brand name Rogaine, is used by 40 million Americans. It was originally developed as a blood pressure drug, but caused unexpected hair growth.
Today, it’s FDA-approved for topical use in 2% and 5% concentrations. Patients are instructed to apply it only to the scalp and let it dry before covering.
Doctors emphasized, “Exceeding this dose does not improve efficacy.” Instead, it “significantly increases the risk of systemic absorption and adverse effects.”
Systemic absorption happens when the drug enters the bloodstream in unintended quantities.
This can lead to side effects beyond the scalp—including hair in unwanted areas. The patient had no major health issues aside from mild anemia and vitamin D deficiency.
She used minoxidil consistently for two months without altering the recommended dosage. However, doctors say the physical occlusion dramatically changed the drug’s behavior.
Her case shows how correct dosage still requires correct use to avoid complications. Experts explained, “This case illustrates the critical need for precise patient instruction.”
They warned against applying minoxidil before using wigs, caps, or other scalp coverings.
Also read: Bad hair days or something more? The shocking factors that could be thinning your hair
They added, “Minoxidil is an effective treatment but can occasionally lead to hypertrichosis.”
This risk rises “especially when applied in high concentrations or over large areas of the body.”
The woman stopped using minoxidil but continued her other treatments. She underwent laser hair removal to address facial hair caused by the medication.
Doctors didn’t recommend resuming the spray after the adverse reaction. The patient saw improvement in scalp hair with ongoing PRP and LED therapy.
Read next: The unexpected side effects of this popular hair loss solution–Is it a miracle or a curse?
Have you or someone you know tried minoxidil to treat thinning hair? Did you follow the instructions exactly, or run into any unexpected results? Have you ever noticed side effects like hair growth in unusual places? Share your experience—your story could help others use this common treatment more safely.
A routine hair regrowth regimen led to an unusual medical case in France.
And it’s prompting a closer look at how this common product is being used.
A 28-year-old woman with hereditary hair loss started using 5% minoxidil spray twice a day.
She applied one milliliter per use, exactly as approved by the FDA. Alongside the spray, she was also taking vitamin D and zinc supplements.
She also underwent platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections and LED light therapy.
To hide her thinning hair, she wore a wig during the day and a tight cap at night. Importantly, she applied minoxidil just before covering her head.
Millions may be at risk from a popular hair loss treatment. Image source: Towfiqu barbhuiya / Unsplash
Doctors reported that this created “constantly occluded, day and night.”
This setup significantly increased the medication’s absorption into her bloodstream. Within two months, she reported abnormal hair growth on her face, arms, and legs.
Doctors diagnosed her with hypertrichosis—excessive hair growth due to systemic exposure.
According to their findings, the treatment which causes the drug to be absorbed at much higher levels in her blood. They believe occlusion from the cap and wig was the primary trigger.
Also read: Millions of Americans are losing their hair—here's what you need to know
Minoxidil, known in the US under the brand name Rogaine, is used by 40 million Americans. It was originally developed as a blood pressure drug, but caused unexpected hair growth.
Today, it’s FDA-approved for topical use in 2% and 5% concentrations. Patients are instructed to apply it only to the scalp and let it dry before covering.
Doctors emphasized, “Exceeding this dose does not improve efficacy.” Instead, it “significantly increases the risk of systemic absorption and adverse effects.”
Systemic absorption happens when the drug enters the bloodstream in unintended quantities.
This can lead to side effects beyond the scalp—including hair in unwanted areas. The patient had no major health issues aside from mild anemia and vitamin D deficiency.
She used minoxidil consistently for two months without altering the recommended dosage. However, doctors say the physical occlusion dramatically changed the drug’s behavior.
Her case shows how correct dosage still requires correct use to avoid complications. Experts explained, “This case illustrates the critical need for precise patient instruction.”
They warned against applying minoxidil before using wigs, caps, or other scalp coverings.
Also read: Bad hair days or something more? The shocking factors that could be thinning your hair
They added, “Minoxidil is an effective treatment but can occasionally lead to hypertrichosis.”
This risk rises “especially when applied in high concentrations or over large areas of the body.”
The woman stopped using minoxidil but continued her other treatments. She underwent laser hair removal to address facial hair caused by the medication.
Doctors didn’t recommend resuming the spray after the adverse reaction. The patient saw improvement in scalp hair with ongoing PRP and LED therapy.
Read next: The unexpected side effects of this popular hair loss solution–Is it a miracle or a curse?
