@samanthaschneidermd Replying to @Jules ♬ original sound - Samantha Schneider, MD

If you’ve started noticing more hair shedding than usual, it can feel stressful—and a little confusing.

Especially if you’re on a medication like a GLP-1 or going through other changes in your body.

Here’s the most important thing to know:

Time matters.

Why Acting Early Makes a Difference

Hair loss can happen for a variety of reasons, including:

• Hormonal changes
• Medications
• Nutrient deficiencies
• Stress or illness

Because there are so many possible causes, addressing the root issue early can make a big difference in how well your hair recovers.

That’s why the first recommendation is always:

See a professional if you can.

Getting a proper evaluation helps you:

• Identify the underlying cause
• Start the right treatment sooner
• Avoid wasting time on things that won’t work for your specific situation

If You Want a Simple Place to Start

Not everyone is ready (or able) to see a specialist right away—and that’s okay.

If you’re looking for a starting point, one of the most effective over-the-counter options is:

Topical minoxidil

It’s widely available, doesn’t require a prescription, and is one of the most well-studied treatments for supporting hair growth and slowing hair loss.

What to Expect (and Why Patience Matters)

Here’s where a lot of people get discouraged:

Hair treatments take time.

Most people need to use a product consistently for:

• 3 to 6 months before seeing noticeable changes

That means:

• Sticking with it, even when results aren’t immediate
• Giving your hair cycle time to respond
• Avoiding the urge to quit too soon

Consistency is what allows you to truly see whether something is working.

Commit Before You Judge Results

It’s easy to try something for a few weeks and assume it’s not helping.

But with hair, short-term effort doesn’t give you real answers.

Instead, think of it as a commitment:

• Choose a starting approach
• Stick with it consistently
• Reevaluate after a few months

That’s how you make informed decisions about what works for you.

The Bottom Line

Hair loss can feel overwhelming—but you don’t have to guess your way through it.

Start by understanding the cause when possible, and if you need a simple first step, topical minoxidil is a solid option.

Just remember:

Time, consistency, and patience are key.

Know someone dealing with hair loss or wondering where to start? Share this with them—it might save them time (and hair).

Follow Dr. Schneider on                TikTok          Instagram          Facebook

Want the transcript for this video instead?  

 Time is hair. So when you're thinking about a GLP one or anything else that might lead to hair loss, or you notice that you're losing hair, my first suggestion is always to go see somebody because there could be multiple reasons why you're losing hair and addressing the cause and getting you like on a routine can be super, super helpful.

Now, if you're like, yeah, I mean, I'm not gonna do that. I'm just looking for some place to start starting with. Over the counter topical minoxidil. It's like the, one of the best things we have for hair loss that's available without a prescription. So if you're looking for someplace to start, it could be a reasonable option.

For most people, anything that you do for hair is gonna take three to six months to see a difference. So my biggest suggestion is. Committing to the process and really investing the time and the energy so that you know if something is working well for you or not. Thank you for the question, and please share this with a friend who has similar question.