Scared to start oral minoxidil (23M) — need advice

General
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Hey everyone,

I’ve been dealing with hair loss since around 2020. It started after I accidentally used a shampoo that had baking soda in it — right after that shower, a lot of my hair fell out. I used coconut oil thinking it would help, but after a month my mom noticed it was getting worse, so I went to a dermatologist.

She told me to try minoxidil foam from Walgreens. I used it a few times but didn’t really stick with it. Most of my hair grew back except my front hairline — that area only grew maybe half an inch and never fully came back. I hoped it would recover over time, but it just kept getting worse.

A few months ago, I went to another dermatologist who prescribed oral minoxidil, but I’ve been too scared to start because of the side effects.

I’m 23 now and not sure what to do. Should I try the oral version or give topical minoxidil another consistent try first? Anyone here used both and can share what worked for them?

Thanks in advance — I’d really appreciate your advice or experiences.

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if you’re worried about side effects with oral min, sticking to topical min might be safer as it has fewer systemic effects. It’s important to use it consistently for best results. If you haven’t given it a good try yet, this might be a good time. Oral min is more potent but comes with more risks. Check out The Beginner’s Guide for more info.

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Thanks! Yeah, I’ve been hesitant because of the side effects. I might give topical another try before moving to oral.