Minoxidil for balding chemical damage

hello, I recently had a terrible experience at a salon where they fried my hair off with bleach. I noticed some hair loss at the scalp after that around my part and hairline. I did slick backs for about a month after the bleach incident which I think made this worse. I recently went to the dermatologist for this and she recommended minoxidil. She said my newly grown hair will not fall out because I don't have female hair loss, it is from bleach. I did not have severe scabbing or oozing when this happened, so I dont think the follicles are dead. Does anyone have experience with minoxidil growing back bald spots from chemically damaged hair? I have cats and it seems like a long term, scary commitment to use this forever. But again, maybe i won't have to because the dermatologist said I won't lose the newly grown hair? Any advice I'd appreciate.