Minoxidil (Rogaine) for Hair Loss

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Many people think that keeping their hair is as easy as using Rogaine. But, it doesn’t work for everyone. It might not even work for you. And if it does, the results may not last long.

Rogaine has become popular, and many doctors often recommend it. But where did Rogaine come from? Rogaine started with other purposes before it became popular for its current, well-known use.

In the 1950s, doctors at the Upjohn Company developed a drug called minoxidil that they thought would cure ulcers. It was not working for this original intended purpose. But, when they tested it on patients, they noticed that it made their blood vessels open more easily so that blood could flow smoothly and evenly. The FDA approved this drug in the late 1970s for people with high blood pressure.

This drug, marketed as Loniten, had an unusual side effect. It made people grow more hair. Later, the drug received a patent and became available on the market as Rogaine. In 1991, Rogaine became available for women, too. And finally, the drug is now available worldwide as an over-the-counter medicine.

Now, you might be wondering: Does Rogaine work the same way as finasteride? It is different in some ways. Let’s learn about minoxidil and what it does.

Minoxidil (Rogaine)

Rogaine is a drug that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved for hair loss, and you do not need a prescription for it. It’s a topical solution, available as a liquid or a foam. The medication is for both male and female pattern baldness, which is also known as androgenetic alopecia.

Minoxidil only works on certain types of baldness, and you have to use it every day to see results. Rogaine won’t work for everyone. If it does work, you probably won’t grow back all the hair that you lost and will need to keep using Rogaine permanently to preserve any regrowth.

How Minoxidil Works

Minoxidil is a vasodilator, which is a type of medicine that works by opening (dilating) blood vessels. They affect the muscles in the walls of your arteries and veins, which keeps them from tightening and narrowing. This makes it easier for your blood to flow more easily through your vessels.

Scientists don’t know how minoxidil works to make hair grow. It makes blood vessels wider and more blood flows to the hair. This is why hair grows on people with minoxidil. Another theory says that it makes a specific enzyme called ATP in the follicle longer. We also think that it helps if your follicle shrinks because of hormones, but the science is inconclusive.

Another effect of minoxidil is that it might make hair grow in places on your body. This is especially true for women, but it can happen to men, too. The difference between the two is that you can change the amount you take. Be mindful about the dose of minoxidil to prevent this if it is not the desired result.

Approved Uses

Topical minoxidil is used to treat hair loss in adults. It is used on adults who are 18 years of age and older when they have male pattern baldness.

Dosage

Minoxidil is available on shelves in 2% and 5%. You can buy it as a liquid (minoxidil drops) or foam solution. The proper way to use the liquid solution is to apply 1 milliliter of minoxidil on your scalp twice a day. When you use minoxidil properly, it will stimulate new hair growth and make your hair thicker.

How To Use Minoxidil for Hair Loss

Before you put the medicine on, make sure to clean and dry your head. You can use it on wet hair, but make sure that your scalp is dry. Fill the applicator with 1 milliliter of medicine, or 20 drops using an eyedropper, part your hair in the area where you are losing hair, and apply the liquid evenly over those areas. Let it dry before putting gel or mousse in your hair or going to bed.

To use the foam solution, first rinse your hands in cold water and dry them well. Then, apply about half a capful of foam to the scalp and rub it in. Allow it to dry completely before styling it or going to bed. You should not use minoxidil if you have colored your hair or chemically treated it.

Do not use minoxidil on any other parts of your body. You must apply it to your scalp only when your skin is healthy and you have no cuts, scrapes, or infections. Alcohol is in this product and can make the area dry and irritated. Wash your hands after applying the solution. It is important not to get it in your eyes. If this happens, rinse with cool water for a long amount of time.

It takes time for hair to grow. It can take four months before you see any changes. If your condition gets worse or does not improve after four to six months, talk to your doctor. You may need medication like finasteride or to have a hair transplant if you don’t see any results after a certain period of time (six months to one year).

Side Effects

Tell your doctor if you have ever had unusual or allergic reactions to medicine before. Burning, stinging, or redness at the application site may happen. However, these reactions usually go away on their own without any medical help. If your doctor told you to use this medication, remember that they judged the benefit of this treatment to be greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not experience serious side effects. However, there are still some exceptions.

Skin can absorb this medication, and it rarely causes serious side effects. But, if you notice any serious side effects, then stop taking the medication right away and get medical help. Symptoms may include:

Inflammation at the hair roots
Increased hair loss
Unwanted facial or body hair
Swelling in the face or scalp
Swelling of hands or feet
Changes in vision, such as blurriness
Chest pain
Severe dizziness
Fainting
Tiredness
Fast or irregular heartbeat
Unusual weight gain
Frequent or persistent headache
Difficulty breathing especially when lying down

If you have any of these side effects, stop taking the minoxidil and call your doctor right away.

Does Minoxidil (Rogaine) Work for Hair Loss?

Rogaine, which is the brand name for minoxidil, helps hair grow. It is as good as other treatments for male pattern baldness. Rogaine does not require a prescription.

Some people grow their hair back with the help of minoxidil, while others need finasteride. A study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology showed that finasteride does definitively help in some cases, while minoxidil works better for others.

Deciding between finasteride and minoxidil depends on the personal needs of the patient. However, this choice should be made after talking with your doctor so you can figure out what treatment is best for you.

Are You Ready To Take the Next Step?

Now, are you ready to take the next step? Talk to your doctor if minoxidil is not working for you and you’re looking for a hair loss treatment that will work. We have information on our website about follicular unit extraction (FUE) and how it is different from a strip procedure.

You can also watch videos of before-and-after pictures or read reviews written by people who liked our products. Give us a call so we can discuss different treatment options for you!

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