Let's Be Real
If you take oral minoxidil, you will probably grow more body hair. We're talking arms, face, chest, back, eyebrows — everywhere. It's called hypertrichosis and it affects the majority of users to some degree.
What Actually Happens
Oral minoxidil works systemically — it doesn't just target your scalp. When minoxidil is in your bloodstream, it affects hair follicles all over your body. This includes:
- Arms/Hands: Noticeable increase, especially forearms
- Face: Beard fills in, eyebrows thicken, more forehead "peach fuzz"
- Chest/Back: More growth if you're prone to it
- Ears/Nose: Yes, even there (trimmer time)
The Silver Linings
- ✓ Beard gains: Many guys are thrilled — patchy beards fill in nicely
- ✓ It's proof it's working: Body hair = the medication is active systemically
- ✓ It's manageable: Regular grooming handles the excess
- ✓ It may plateau: The growth often stabilizes after a few months
Managing It
If the body hair bothers you:
- • Regular trimming (arms, chest, back)
- • Eyebrow grooming becomes essential
- • Nose/ear hair trimmer — invest in one
- • Lower dose may reduce effects (discuss with provider)
Is It Worth It?
That's a personal call. Oral minoxidil delivers significantly better scalp results than topical for many men — especially non-responders. The trade-off is body hair.
Many guys decide the scalp gains outweigh the grooming burden. Others prefer to stick with topical despite lower efficacy. There's no wrong answer.
Try It Yourself
Oral minoxidil from $20-30/month at Hims. You can always switch back to topical.
Get Oral Minoxidil →