What is the likely consequence for a patient discontinuing topical minoxidil after years of use?

The discontinuation of topical minoxidil after prolonged use is likely to lead to the resumption of hair loss. Minoxidil is a vasodilator that is used to treat hair loss by promoting hair growth and increasing blood flow to hair follicles. When the treatment is stopped, the stimulation of hair follicles ceases, resulting in a reversal of its effects.

Typically, this resumption of hair loss occurs because the new hair growth that was stimulated by minoxidil often falls out, and the individual may return to their baseline level of hair density or experience shedding similar to what would have occurred if the treatment had never been initiated. As such, patients may notice thinning or loss of hair in the same areas that were previously being treated with minoxidil.

Maintaining hair growth is unlikely after stopping the treatment, as the underlying cause of hair loss, whether genetic or hormonal, continues to affect the individual. Additionally, changing hair color or blood pressure changes are not direct consequences associated with stopping minoxidil specifically; its primary function relates to hair growth stimulation.