Is Minoxidil Effective?

If you have been experiencing an abnormal amount of hair loss recently, then maybe this article could help. It aims to give basic information about minoxidil and how effective it is in treating male-pattern baldness.

Minoxidil is initially developed as a medication that aims to treat severe hypertension. However, as the tests continued, experts started to notice how patients who are given this medication experience hair regrowth as a side effect. This gave them an idea to create topical form minoxidil that is mainly for treating baldness. In 1996, minoxidil was approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a medication for androgenetic alopecia or male pattern baldness, as well as female pattern baldness. Both 2% and 5% solution of minoxidil are accepted by the FDA. Although it has been proven that the higher the solution, the more effective it is, the 10% variant is not yet approved.

Studies have proved the efficacy of Minoxidil. In a trial, it was observed how men who used minoxidil have experienced noticeable improvements with their hair growth as well as the decrease in hair loss.

So, how does minoxidil works?

Minoxidil has a brand name called Rogaine. Even though Rogaine does not have much difference with the generic minoxidil, it tends to be more expensive than the other.

Vasodilators help in widening or dilating blood vessels — minoxidil is one of them. Through the dilation of the blood vessels on your scalp, the treatment is able to provide better nutrients to the hair follicles. It also contributes to extending the anagen phase and the telogen phase of hair regrowth. The anagen phase is where the new hair strands start to regrow while the telogen phase is considered as the “resting phase” of the strands before they fall out. Minoxidil both promotes these phases which means, it helps in regrowing healthier hair and preventing them from falling out immediately.

How is minoxidil applied?

Minoxidil for androgenetic alopecia comes in a form of a topical solution which means it is directly applied on the skin. Make sure that the area is dry before applying it. It is recommended to use minoxidil twice a day. If you are experiencing a more serious condition, you can use 6% minoxidil for hair loss instead of the lower solution which is 2%. To see noticeable results, you should religiously apply it for 2 to 4 months.

Are there any restrictions?

Women are safe to use minoxidil for female pattern baldness. There are various brands like Women’s Rogaine that specially formulated a variant of minoxidil that is completely safe for women as higher solutions of this medication may be harmful to them. Since there are no studies that prove that minoxidil isn’t harmful to children, minors are advised not to use it. There is also a possibility that minoxidil can be toxic to animals, so make sure to keep your hands clean after application and stay away from your pets if the solution is still on your scalp.

Side effects may vary depending on the patient, however, minoxidil is generally safe. These reactions include dizziness and chest pains. This is why it is important to consult your physician first before purchasing over-the-counter minoxidil. It is to ensure that this medication is suitable for you to use.

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