Minoxidil , a decades-old hair-loss medicine available as a topical foam or solution, is enjoying a fresh burst of attention online as users post before-and-after photos claiming visible regrowth for scalp, beard and eyebrow hair. The social buzz has pushed searches and sales up, but what does the research actually say about who benefits, how it works and what to watch out for?





What minoxidil is and how it works

Originally developed as a blood-pressure drug, minoxidil later became one of the most widely studied treatments for androgenetic alopecia . A study published in the found that it can extend the hair’s growth phase and increase blood flow around follicles, improving density over time. Another trial of 381 women with female pattern hair loss found that 5% topical minoxidil was significantly superior to placebo in improving hair count and coverage.



Topical minoxidil (2% and 5%) remains the most commonly used form, with the 5% solution consistently showing better results in trials.












What research actually says and why it is trending

Clinical studies support minoxidil’s effectiveness for many people. For example, a study published in Dermatologic Therapy reported that a 5% minoxidil solution produced noticeably thicker hair and increased hair count after four months of consistent use. More recently, a 2023 study in found low-dose oral minoxidil helped some patients who did not respond to topical versions—however doctors warn that oral minoxidil requires medical supervision because it affects blood pressure.



Online, these findings have exploded into a wave of dramatic before-and-after posts. Many show impressive results, but social media often highlights only the success stories and hides the large number of people who respond partially or not at all.





The scepticism: Does it really work for everyone?



Despite the hype, many experts stress that minoxidil is not a universal fix. Research consistently shows mixed levels of response. The trial in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found minoxidil works best for people in the early stages of hair loss, while those with long-standing bald patches showed little improvement. A meta-analysis reported in JAMA Dermatology showed that while oral and topical minoxidil both have efficacy, they differ in tolerability and results may vary widely.



Common sceptical points include:

• It works only for certain types of hair loss, mostly early-stage pattern baldness.


• It does not help with bald patches that have been dormant for years.


• Some people are “non-responders”, meaning no growth despite perfect usage.


• Results often take months, not weeks, despite what viral posts show.

Many users on Reddit, X and hair-loss forums say that after quitting, the hair they regrew shed within months, leaving them feeling worse than before. This is not a side effect—it is simply how the treatment works. Some users describe it as “rental hair”: you keep it only as long as you keep applying the product.



Bottom lineMinoxidil can help many people regrow hair or slow hair loss, and the research supporting it is strong. But it is not a miracle cure.

Anyone considering minoxidil should speak with a dermatologist to confirm the cause of hair loss, understand the risks and choose the safest version.