Are there any precautions that I should know about while using this topical medication?
Individuals who are pregnant or under the age of 18 should not handle this medication.
Minoxidil is suspected to be TOXIC TO CATS AND DOGS. Please do not allow cats, dogs, or other pets to ingest this medication or to come into contact with the treatment site after the medication has been applied. If these occur, consult your pet's veterinarian.
Do not use this topical medication if you:
Are allergic to Ketoconazole, Minoxidil (the active ingredient in Rogaine®), Biotin, Dexpanthenol, or any of the inactive ingredients in Hair Blends Solution. Inactive ingredients include: propylene glycol, citric acid, ethyl alcohol, butylated hydroxytoluene.
Do not use this topical medication if any of the following apply to you:
You are pregnant
You are younger than 18 years of age
Are taking products containing minoxidil while using this product
Are allergic to Ketoconazole, Minoxidil (the active ingredient in Rogaine®), Dexpanthenol, Biotin, or any of the inactive ingredients in Hair Blends serum Solution. Inactive ingredients include: propylene glycol, citric acid, ethyl alcohol, butylated hydroxytoluene.
How do I use this topical medication?
This medication should be used once a day: in the morning OR at bedtime. In the evening, apply the medication 30 minutes to 1 hour before you go to bed
Shake well before use.
Using the included dropper, apply 1 mL of serum to cover the area of hair loss on the scalp. If you have multiple areas affected by hair loss, you should disperse the serum across those areas. Gently massage the medication into the scalp with your fingers. Carefully blot any excess medication to avoid it running onto your face.
Remove any excess medication that gets on your face with gentle soap and water. Hair can grow anywhere on the skin that the medication comes into contact with after repeated use.
Make sure to wash your hands with soap immediately after you apply the medicine.
Do not get your hair wet for at least 4 hours after application of the medication.
Are there any practical tips that I should know about while using this topical medication?
What happens if I occasionally forget to apply the topical medication?
It’s ok to miss an application here or there but the medication only works if you use it as prescribed, once a day every day.
It may help to put a reminder alarm on your phone.
Can I use this topical medication more than once a day?
What should I expect during treatment with this medication?
You may experience some mild hair shedding in the first 2-8 weeks after starting this medication. This is normal and means that the medication is working.
You should start to see improvement in hair growth after 3-6 months of use. Hair loss should continue to improve over the next 1-2 years with consistent use.
If there is no improvement after 6 months of use, please contact a medical provider through the Hers platform.
What happens when I stop using this topical medication?
What are the common side effects of this topical medication?
Itching
Redness
Irritation
Burning sensation
Contact dermatitis
Dry and flaky scalp
If you develop any of the following symptoms, please stop using this topical medication and contact your medical provider right away:
Chest pain
Rapid heart beat
Faintness or dizziness
Sudden and unexplained weight gain
Swelling of hands or feet
Unwanted facial hair growth
Severe scalp irritation
Blurred vision or vision changes
These are not all of the possible side effects of Hair Blends Solution. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist. Call your healthcare provider for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Medication disposal
If you no longer need your medication, the best way to dispose of most types of old, unused, unwanted, or expired medicines (both prescription and over the counter) is to drop off the medicine at a drug take back site, location, or program immediately. You can use the DEA DIVERSION CONTROL DIVISION LOOKUP to find your nearest drug disposal site.
If no drug take back sites, locations, or programs are available in your area, and there are no specific disposal instructions (such as flushing) in the medication guide or package insert, you can visit FDA- Disposal of Unused Medicines for more information or follow these simple steps to dispose of most medicines in your trash at home:
Mix medicines (liquid or pills; do not crush tablets or capsules) with an unappealing substance such as dirt, cat litter, or used coffee grounds;
Place the mixture in a container such as a sealed plastic bag;
Throw away the container in your trash at home; and
Delete all personal information on the prescription label of empty medicine bottles or medicine packaging, then trash or recycle the empty bottle or packaging.
Accurate Information
Your provider has evaluated the specific health information you provided and is making recommendations based on it. If you forgot to provide or incorrectly provided the information your provider may misdiagnose or fail to diagnose conditions that you may have which could affect our recommendation for treatment. If you need to clarify or update any information about your health you can message or call a provider through the Hers platform anytime.
Treatment Failure
This treatment is not 100% effective. It may not work or may only partially resolve the condition for which you are seeking treatment. If you do not see any signs of improvement or if you are experiencing new or worsening symptoms, message a provider through the Hers platform anytime or contact your regular healthcare provider. If it is an emergency, call 911 or seek immediate help in-person.
Misdiagnosis or Delayed Diagnosis
There is also a risk that your provider will misdiagnose or fail to diagnose conditions that you may have which could affect the recommendation for treatment. The healthcare providers providing treatment through the Hers platform use evidence-based guidelines as well as clinical decision-making to try to minimize these risks.
Accepting or Declining Our Recommendation
Your provider is recommending this treatment for you because the potential benefits outweigh the risks in their estimation. You should evaluate this information and any input from your in-person healthcare team, and any other relevant information to decide if this treatment plan is appropriate for you. You are free to not follow the recommendations you received from the provider through the Hers platform.
Share with Your In-Person Healthcare Team
You can access your records anytime. We strongly recommend that you update your in-person healthcare team about any new medicines that you are taking or other changes in your health. You can also ask questions anytime by messaging a provider through the Hers platform, and we are happy to help you share any information about your health with your in-person healthcare team.
FAQ:
Is it normal to see an increase in hair shedding when starting new hair loss treatment?
Shedding is a fairly common side effect when starting a new hair loss medication. It can occur with any treatment but is most common with minoxidil. While it can be a cause for alarm, it is part of the process and means the medication is working. Typically we don’t recommend adjusting therapy except for intolerable shedding or shedding that lasts longer than 2 months. If you have continued shedding after the first 2 months of treatment, please let us know so we can connect you with your provider who can go over the next steps.
You can find more information about this here:
https://www.hims.com/blog/how-long-before-minoxidil-starts-working#minoxidil-and-hair-shedding
https://www.hims.com/blog/finasteride-is-working-now-how-to-keep-that-new-hair
When can I see results from hair loss treatment?
All hair loss medications take about 4-6 months to see results. If you are not seeing results after 6 months of treatment, or if you are experiencing any side effects, then please reach out for re-evaluation. Since hair growth is gradual it may be helpful to take a progress photo each month. Try to take photos in the same lighting at the same angle. If you always get the same haircut then right afterwards is a great time to take a progress photo so your hair is the same length.
You can find more information about this here:
https://www.hims.com/blog/finasteride-results-timeline
https://www.hims.com/blog/how-long-before-minoxidil-starts-working
Can I use a dermaroller with my topical treatment?
You may opt to use a dermaroller to increase the efficacy of your topical formulation. Follow the instructions specific to the device. Make sure to apply the dermaroller with light pressure to minimize bleeding on your scalp for 2-5 minutes at night, preferably after showering, and before you apply your topical formula. It is recommended to wait a few weeks after starting your topical formula to let your skin adjust before trying a dermaroller. While dermarollers come in different needle sizes, starting with 0.25mm is the best to start with. Disinfecting the dermaroller after use by soaking in 70% isopropyl alcohol is very important to prevent infection. Most studies involve using a dermaroller one night a week. Be sure to avoid using a dermaroller if your skin feels irritated or swollen.
You can find more information about this here: https://www.hims.com/blog/dermaroller-and-minoxidil
Is it safe to drink alcohol while taking hair loss medications?
It’s safe to drink alcohol in moderation while taking your hair loss medications, however heavy alcohol consumption can affect your nutrient absorption to the point where you may develop nutritional deficiencies that can cause hair loss. Furthermore, drinking alcohol while taking oral minoxidil can potentially cause a decrease in blood pressure causing light-headedness, dizziness, or fainting.
You can find more information about this here:
https://www.hims.com/blog/alcohol-and-hair-loss
https://www.hims.com/blog/finasteride-and-alcohol
https://www.hims.com/blog/minoxidil-interactions
Does wearing my hair in tight hairstyles cause hair loss?
If you wear your hair in tight hairstyles this puts a lot of strain on your hair follicles. With continued use, it will eventually lead to scarring and permanent loss of hair, which we call traction alopecia. In order to prevent further hair loss, it’s important to avoid wearing tight hairstyles and give your hair breaks between artificial hair use or braiding. If it hurts while your hair is being styled, you should ask the stylist to stop and redo it since pain signals damage at the hair root. Combining tight hairstyles with chemically treated hair increases the risk of traction alopecia and should be avoided. Hair loss treatments will help the hair that you have to grow thicker, but it will not regrow hair where scarring has already occurred.
This information is intended to support, not replace, discussions with your healthcare provider. All decisions regarding your care should be made with a healthcare provider, considering your individual health needs and circumstances. This medication is only available to residents of the United States.
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