For most of my life I’ve had long, thick hair, but as I got deeper into my 30s, it began to change: my hair became noticeably thinner and just wasn’t falling the same way. To say the least, I was devastated because my hair had always been something I was confident in. I had tried supplements and hair serums to no avail—the last remaining option, it seemed, was minoxidil. At first, I was afraid of experiencing side effects, but my desire to regain my once beautiful hair was stronger than my fear. I decided I would take oral minoxidil, specifically Hers Biotin + Minoxidil Gummy for Hair Regrowth, because it felt the least intimidating.
Ahead, dermatologists break down oral minoxidil, its benefits, potential side effects and I share what my experience has been like taking the supplement.
Featured experts
- Dr. Shereen Teymour and Dori Day, MD are board-certified dermatologists in New York
What is oral minoxidil?
“Oral minoxidil is a prescription medication that was originally developed to treat high blood pressure but is now commonly prescribed off-label in low doses to treat hair loss,” explains New York dermatologist Dr. Shereen Teymour. New York dermatologist Doris Day, MD calls oral minoxidil one of those "lucky" observations that led to a new indication for an old drug.
“[Oral minoxidil] is FDA approved for the treatment of high blood pressure, but one of the ‘adverse effects’ listed on the package insert was increased hair growth,” says Dr. Day. It is considered a prodrug, which means that your body has to convert it to an active form for it to have an effect. Oral minoxidil works by prolonging the growth phase of the hair cycle, increasing blood flow and oxygen to and around the follicle, helping miniaturized hairs grow thicker and longer.
Dr. Day recommends a 1 to 2.5mg dose for women, “I sometimes have [patients] break a 2.5 mg pill in half, and I do a 2.5 to 5 mg dose for men.” She adds that she will, at times, still advise patients to use topical minoxidil along the hairline because she believes it has an additive effect. With consistent use, patients will typically see meaningful improvement in hair density around the six-month mark.
Hair loss treatments such as minoxidil are best thought of as long-term maintenance therapies rather than cures. “If oral minoxidil is effective and well tolerated, many patients remain on it for years under the supervision of their dermatologist,” says Dr. Teymour. The one important caveat to note is that once minoxidil is stopped, any hair that was maintained or regrown due to the medication will gradually be lost over time. “In other words, oral minoxidil helps preserve and support hair growth while you're taking it, but it does not permanently change the underlying tendency toward hair loss,” she explains.
The benefits of oral minoxidil
In recent years, low-dose oral minoxidil has become an exciting advance in hair restoration, offering a convenient alternative to topical minoxidil. It’s particularly helpful for those who struggle with adherence, scalp irritation or the cosmetic drawbacks of applying a daily foam or solution. “Studies have consistently demonstrated its effectiveness for female pattern hair loss, male pattern hair loss and other forms of nonscarring alopecia,” says Dr. Teymour.
Side effects of oral minoxidil
One of the most well-known side effects of oral minoxidil is that it can cause hair growth where you don’t want it, even at the lowest dose. “It can also cause puffiness around the eyes and swelling of the lower legs, as well as something called pericardial effusion, which is fluid around the heart, and is not dose related,” says Dr. Day.
Why I opted for Hers Biotin + Minoxidil Gummy for Hair Regrowth
After being assessed by a medical provider through Hers, I was prescribed a three-month supply of a blend of minoxidil (1.5mg) and biotin (2.5mg) in a green apple-flavored gummy, which, to be honest, made it much easier to take consistently because it tasted so good. I was recommended to take it once a day in the evening to minimize any potential side effects. To note, I opted for a form of oral minoxidil because topical can be deadly for pets and I didn’t want to risk causing any potential issues at home.
The Hers gummy contains the recommended dose of oral minoxidil along with biotin to support healthy hair and nails. The product was formulated by dermatologists and promises to regrow, thicker, fuller hair in three to six months. The brand sells its product by prescription only, and its medication is compounded in FDA-regulated pharmacies. The innovative gummy that combines prescription-strength minoxidil with biotin does a great job of solving one of the biggest issues when it comes to taking medication—consistency. The gummy form of the drug makes sticking to my nightly medication regimen incredibly easy, which is why I saw results so quickly. As Dr. Teymour notes, “The most effective hair-loss treatment is often the one a patient will actually take regularly, and for some people a gummy may make long-term adherence easier.”
Though it can support hair and nail growth, Dr. Teymour cautions that supplemental biotin can interfere with certain laboratory tests, including thyroid and hormone testing, as well as some cardiac biomarkers, such as troponin levels used to evaluate heart attacks. She recommends consulting with your health-care provider before taking the supplement.
My results (so far)
As of today, I have been taking the supplement for about seven months. After about a month of taking the supplement, I started to see less hair shedding in the shower, where I tend to lose the most strands. At about two months, I noticed shedding stopped completely, and I started to see baby hairs around my temples. As the months went on, I started to notice more and more growth, especially around my temples, to the point where all the hair growth made the hair by my temples and on my crown stand up. I am so impressed with how my hair looks; it’s beginning to look like it did 10 years ago—thick and long—and I couldn’t be happier. Luckily, I haven’t experienced any adverse side effects, except faster hair growth around my upper lip and brows, which feels like a small price to pay for thicker hair.
