Minoxidil for Hair Loss

Minoxidil (Rogaine ) is cure for hair loss in both men and women. Minoxidil is a drug present in two forms to treat different conditions. Oral minoxidil is used to treat hypertension and the topical solution form is used to treat hair loss and baldness. Minoxidil was then tested for use as a topical application for reraising hair. Rogaine is a clear alcohol-based solution and should be used to a person’s weak area with its supplied dropper or spray twice a day. Rogaine works by revitalizing shrunken hair follicles, thus increasing their size. When you use Rogaine every day, your follicles may increase in size, and the growing phase may become longer. Rogaine was developed from the oral blood pressure medication minoxidil (Loniten).

How Well It Works

Minoxidil slows hair loss and grows new hair. In men, the 5% solution appears to be more effective than the 2% solution, but it costs more and may have more side effects.

Some people who take minoxidil only grow hair that is thin and wispy or similar to peach fuzz.

Minoxidil seems to work best on people younger than 30 years of age who have been losing hair for fewer than 5 years.

Minoxidil may also enhance hair growth by reducing the calcium influx in the cells. Calcium triggers off those epidermal growth factors that inhibit the growth of hair fibers. Minoxidil sulphate being a potassium channel opener induces the potassium ions to enter the cells and blocks the influx of calcium in the cells thereby facilitating hair growth.

Minoxidil being initially a drug for hypertension, was once thought to enhance hair growth by increasing the blood flow into the follicles but it has been found that dilation of blood vessels do not play a direct role in hair growth.

Getting the Best From Minoxidil

Belgravia trichologists have found that whilst Minoxidil can help reduce hair loss and boost hair growth, the degree of success will often depend on the Minoxidil’s strength. The Minoxidil formulations that we provide vary from a mild 4% lotion to a stronger 5% Regain lotion, or an extra-strength 12.5% cream, which is our form of Minoxidil used to treat very stubborn patches of thinning hair and baldness. Depending on what is recommended to the individual hair loss sufferer, we can also provide Minoxidil containing an extra booster – Medroxyprogesterone (MPG).

Aftercare

Hands, and any other areas of the body where hair growth is not desired that may have come into contact with topical minoxidil, should be washed immediately after applying the minoxidil solution on the scalp. Once applied, topical minoxidil should be allowed to air-dry for at least two to four hours before clothing are pulled on or off over the head, a hat is worn, or the patient goes to bed. Prior to this, the minoxidil solution may stain clothing, hats, or bed linens; or, it may be accidentally transferred from the patient’s head to one of these objects, then back to other parts of the patient’s body where hair growth is not desired. A blow dryer, or other drying methods, should not be used to speed the drying of the minoxidil as this may interfere with the absorption of the medicine. People using minoxidil should also not shampoo, wash, or rinse their hair for at least 4 hours after minoxidil is applied.

Side effects: Some of the possible side effects associated with topical minoxidil are rapid heart beat, dizziness, and shortness of breath. It has also been reported that topical minoxidil can cause facial hair growth in women. As of today, the most commonly reported side effects associated with topical minoxidil are scalp inflammatory conditions such as severe scalp itch, flakes, redness of the scalp and excessive dandruff. Topical minoxidil can also increase oiliness of the scalp.

Important Points To Note:

Although Minoxidil for hair loss is something you should definitely add into your lifestyle, you shouldn’t limit yourself to just using this treatment. Those that have seen the most effective results in treating their hair loss used multiple solutions for for their hair, combating their hair loss from a few different angles. You should definitely look to block your DHT. Saw Palmetto is one of the best herbs to help inhibit the enzyme that produces DHT which in effect would stop you hair loss. There are also several essential vitamins and minerals you need to make sure you’re giving your body which includes Biotin, Vitamin B6, and Magnesium.