Today, we’ll be looking at the possibility of minoxidil causing unwanted body hair growth.
Both oral minoxidil and topical minoxidil are possible products in the fight against male pattern baldness. Furthermore, they can also be used as tools in order to grow a beard.
These days, oral minoxidil is used less to grow or regrow hair. Topical minoxidil is becoming ever more popular in the fight against hair loss.
So does minoxidil cause unwanted hair growth? And if it can, then does minoxidil cause unwanted body hair growth? Let’s find out.
Does minoxidil cause unwanted hair growth or not?
It depends. The answer is not that straightforward, since it depends on a multitude of factors. But most of the time, minoxidil will not cause unwanted hair growth.
Topical minoxidil generally does not promote hair growth in other areas, whereas oral minoxidil can potentially promote unwanted hair growth. However, minoxidil is typically considered safe for treatment of female pattern hair loss.
The growth of unwanted hair due to minoxidil usage is mainly due to 3 reasons:
- Dosages that are too high
- High strength product
- Using oral minoxidil instead of topical minoxidil
- Strong response to the product (genetic)
As we can see, we can’t influence our response to minoxidil, which is determined by our genetics. But, we can influence the dosage we use, how strong of a product we use, and if we use the oral or topical kind.
Does topical minoxidil cause unwanted hair growth?
When minoxidil is applied topically, it should not promote hair growth in other areas. Most of the minoxidil will be absorbed in the place it is applied to. Of course, some of the minoxidil will reach the bloodstream and thus, course through the body, although it will generally not be enough to create hair growth in unwanted places.
Caution should be taken to rinse and cleanse the hands after applying minoxidil foam or liquid. As residue of the product on the hands can promote hair growth on the fingers.
So we can conclude that theoretically, topical minoxidil should only promote hair growth in the applied areas.
Does oral minoxidil cause unwanted hair growth?
Oral minoxidil, on the other hand, enters the bloodstream much quicker and is not applied to a specific targeted area.
It circulates in our bloodstream throughout the entire body and thus, may promote unwanted hair growth in areas such as the hands, face, ears, chest, feet, …
Does minoxidil cause unwanted body hair?
Minoxidil unwanted body hair is always a potential hazard, but doesn’t happen often.
As long as you don’t abuse the product, you should be just fine.
Minoxidil unwanted body hair mostly takes place if people misuse and abuse the medication. Use the appropriate dose, do not use a high strength product if you’re a woman, and use topical minoxidil instead of oral minoxidil if possible to reduce the overall risk.
Can minoxidil cause unwanted facial hair growth?
Minoxidil can cause unwanted facial hair growth. Especially if one is using oral, or even topical minoxidil to combat hair loss.
But rest assured, it rarely happens. At least if one stays in the recommended dosage range.
Most people who complain about minoxidil and unwanted facial hair growth are abusers of the product in the sense that they frequently use dosages that are far too high, a high strength product, and use oral rather than topical minoxidil to combat hair loss.
Even then, it’s still quite rare to grow unwanted facial hair. But our genetic response to the product is also very influential, and one we can’t control.
Again, be mindful of the fact that topical minoxidil causes more systematic absorption, which increases the chance of this phenomenon happening.
Does minoxidil cause unwanted hair growth on the back?
The growth of unwanted minoxidil back hair due to the usage of said product is possible in theory, but is actually rarely the case.
Once more, the chance of minoxidil back hair occurring is far less with regard to topical minoxidil compared to oral minoxidil.
Luckily enough, the back is hidden due to our clothing. This means that even if there was some increased hair growth on the back due to minoxidil usage, it’s far less of a concern than let’s say the growth of facial hair for women.
Conclusion
It is possible for minoxidil to cause unwanted hair growth, although it is rarely the case if one stays in the recommended dosage range. Topical minoxidil in particular is unlikely to cause any unwanted body hair since there’s less systematic absorption compared to oral minoxidil.
To conclude, unwanted body hair may be a possibility when oral minoxidil is taken, but it’s unlikely.