When starting hair loss treatment, you may notice increased hair shedding during the first few weeks. This can be alarming but is usually a sign that the medication is working.
## What is the shedding phase?
Minoxidil and other follicle stimulants accelerate the hair growth cycle. Hairs in the resting (telogen) phase are pushed out to make way for new hairs entering the growth (anagen) phase. This temporary shedding is known as "telogen effluvium" and typically occurs within the first 2–8 weeks of treatment.
## How long does it last?
The shedding phase usually lasts a few weeks. Once the older hairs are shed, the new anagen hairs begin to grow. Most people see stabilisation by three months and thickening thereafter if they continue treatment consistently.
## Why it happens
Hair follicles are in different phases at any given time. When minoxidil increases blood flow and prolongs the growth phase, it prompts resting follicles to shed old hairs sooner than they would have naturally. This is not hair loss caused by the medication but a normal part of the renewal process.
## What to do
- Do not stop treatment. Discontinuing minoxidil or finasteride will halt the progress and may lead to further hair loss.
- Be patient. Shedding is temporary and means your follicles are entering a new growth cycle.
- Continue applying or taking your medication as prescribed.
- If shedding persists beyond three months or is accompanied by scalp irritation or other symptoms, contact our clinical team for advice.
The shedding phase is a normal step towards stabilising hair loss. Understanding it can help you stay committed to treatment and achieve the best results.