Minoxidil Factfinder

Presenting all you need to know about Minoxidil as a hair loss treatment.

It is one of only two FDA-approved treatments for hair loss and is the only anti baldness drug approved for women. It was originally introduced as a medicine to treat high blood pressure but it was noticed that users started to grow extra hair.

Researchers began studying the drug as a potential baldness cure and by 1988 it was approved as a prescription product to treat hair loss and marketed as Rogaine. Due to its safety record and low incidence of side effects, it became available as an over-the-counter medication in 1996.

It is now available as a topically applied liquid in solutions like Rogaine, but generic versions are also available. The FDA has approved 2% and 5% formulations but various mixtures and combinations are now marketed. The 2% solution is marketed as a treatment for both men and women, but the 5% version is approved only for men.

The main benefit of this treatment is that it stimulates hair growth for both men and women. It does not tackle the causes of hair loss but overrides the symptoms associated with the condition.

Some uncertainty surrounds the exact reasons why it works, but some research-driven theories have been put forward. It has been argued that minoxidil is a vasodilator, meaning that it opens up blood vessels in the scalp letting blood circulate more freely thus delivering more oxygen and nutrients to the follicle.

A second theory argues that minoxidil enlarges withered follicles that have previously been damaged by androgens, thus extending the growth cycle. A third argument suggests that it promotes cell division around the hair follicle thus encouraging growth.

Whatever the reasons, minoxidil has proven to be a very effective hair loss treatment, particularly when used to reverse the effects of androgenetic alopecia (hereditary hair loss or male pattern baldness). It has also proven useful in treating less severe cases of alopecia areata but its effectiveness in helping other forms of hair loss appears limited.

The most common side effect is scalp irritation but clinical trials indicate this is likely to affect only 3% of regular users. Other potential side effects include dry mouth, lowered blood pressure and dizziness but these occur only rarely.

Women need to exercise care if using the 5% solution as some instances of unwanted facial hair growth have been reported.

It is recommended that you do not use minoxidil if:

* You are sensitive to the medication or have had an allergic reaction to it.
* You use other topical prescription medications on your scalp (speak to your doctor first).
* You are pregnant or nursing.
* You are under eighteen.

Minoxidil is commonly found in the product known as Rogaine (Regaine in the UK). It can be bought in Regular (2%), Extra Strength (5%) and Women’s (2%) formats.

Other less expensive generic products are readily available and they are becoming increasingly popular as significant savings can be made. You can order generic minoxidil products from reliable online stores such as the Minoxidil Shop

It can also be used in conjunction with other treatments such as finasteride, while compound solutions containing both minoxidil and other components like tretinoin are available.

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