I am a mixed-race woman in my fifties. Last November, I attended a well known London Trichology Centre for advice on traction alopecia caused by too many years of braiding. I was persuaded to hand over more than £800 for a course of Minoxodil. I was given the hard-sell, and the potential side effects (including 'a slight increase in facial hair') were seriously down-played. I was assured that only 1% of clients had them and that the risk of me experiencing any side-effects were 'very slight'.
Within a month of using the product, I had developed dark rings around my eyes, heart palpitations and occasional chest pains. My cheeks were covered with fine black hair, my hairline had began to merge with my eyebrows and I developed a moustache. I have never experienced facial hair prior to this - the most I've ever done was pluck my eyebrows. When I went back to speak with the senior trichologist about these problems and queried why I had been given such a high dosage when the safe dosage for women is apparently only 2%, I was told that they give all their black clients with traction alopecia 12.5%. She admitted that the prevalence of facial hair growth amongst black women was common and that the worst she had seen was a half-inch growth of hair around the jaw-line (in other words, a beard). Despite this, I was advised that the symptoms I'd experienced weren't life-threatening and to continue to use a smaller amount of the product. I refused.
I have since been to my doctor who has confirmed that the dosage of Minoxodil was much too high and that my blood pressure, which has always been low, is now abnormally high. She has referred me to a dermatologist for facial hirsutism and has advised me to monitor my blood pressure regularly.
I am so angry and distressed, I'm considering legal action. The thinning hairline I was so worried about pales into insignificance now that my face is covered in hair. I am keen to hear from anyone who had had a similar experience of Minoxodil. I am also looking for a solicitor who would consider acting on my behalf.
Minoxodil horror story
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This section is for you to use to chronicle your experiences with hair loss and how you're treating it. Use this section to give us your story and keep everyone posted on your progress.
This section will prove useful in that whenever anyone wants to know how you're doing they can check here, and YOU can check here as time goes by to reflect on your own situation, what you've learned and the progress you've made (or not for that matter).
Post pictures of your hair loss and regrowth, tell us about your regimen. Keep us updated!
If you're starting a new thread, please call it "{Your Forum ID}'s story", replacing {Your Forum ID} with the handle you use to login to these forums.
This section is for you to use to chronicle your experiences with hair loss and how you're treating it. Use this section to give us your story and keep everyone posted on your progress.
This section will prove useful in that whenever anyone wants to know how you're doing they can check here, and YOU can check here as time goes by to reflect on your own situation, what you've learned and the progress you've made (or not for that matter).
Post pictures of your hair loss and regrowth, tell us about your regimen. Keep us updated!
If you're starting a new thread, please call it "{Your Forum ID}'s story", replacing {Your Forum ID} with the handle you use to login to these forums.
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- Prolific Poster
- Posts: 212
- Joined: Sat Jul 25, 2009 7:39 am
- Hair Loss Type: Don't Know
- Norwood Level: Norwood III A
- Have you had a hair transplant?: No
- Treatment Regimen: trialing scalpure with pantostin
Re: Minoxodil horror story
i think the clinic maybe beginning with bel, as i will not give full name,i contacted them a long time ago by phone but was not impressed with there sales patter,how are you getting on have you been to see your gp?
- Anxious1
- Prolific Poster
- Posts: 220
- Joined: Thu Jul 23, 2009 3:54 am
- Norwood Level: Norwood II A
- Have you had a hair transplant?: No
Re: Minoxodil horror story
the sad fact is, doctors and dermitologists usually only use fda approved stuff, apart from the good ones that take risks with alternatives. and the fda has only provided the balding world with minoxidil and finasteride.
so thats wat we get. a million different versions of minoxidil and finasteride. thats wat makes wat this community does so important, because hopefully soon we can put an end to these crap drugs.
so thats wat we get. a million different versions of minoxidil and finasteride. thats wat makes wat this community does so important, because hopefully soon we can put an end to these crap drugs.
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