Minoxidil for Hair Growth: Miracle or Myth?

In 1970s, it was observed that one of the side effects of this drug was hair growth, known as hypertrichosis. Then scientists further investigated its potential as a treatment for hair loss. By the 1980s, minoxidil was re-formulated to prevent hair loss. And received approval from the FDA in 1988 as the first drug to promote hair growth.

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Minoxidil is a treatment for hair loss that helps to regrow hair. When we used it regularly, new hair growth can be seen as early as 2 to 4 months. Minoxidil for women is used to help regrow hair and works best if you have gradual thinning hair on top of your head or hair loss. Minoxidil foam should be applied to the affected scalp area once daily, and the solution is applied twice a day.

Minoxidil for men is used to improve hair growth, which is due to genetic reasons or they have a receding hairline. This medication works best in the early stages of hair loss or thinning but may be less effective if the entire scalp is hairless. Minoxidil for men is available in the form of foam and solution and is applied to the affected scalp area twice a day.

The foam is easier to apply to larger areas, dries quickly and is less likely to drip, while the solution is good for applying to smaller areas or when the hair is long.

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• Minoxidil for Women - Minoxidil for women is FDA-approved to treat women 18 years of age and older who have gradual thinning or gradual hair loss on the top of the head, and who have a family history of this type of hair loss. So it can be used.
• Minoxidil for Men - Minoxidil for men is FDA-approved to treat hereditary hair loss in men 18 years of age and older, to stop hair loss on the scalp. Hereditary hair loss occurs when men have gradual thinning or hair loss on the top of the head.
• Minoxidil for Beard and Other Hair Loss Problems - Minoxidil is used to grow beards, eyebrows, and other hair loss problems such as alopecia areata (AA), scarring alopecia, to promote hair growth, and to treat hair shaft problems.

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Minoxidil works by increasing the amount of time hair follicles are in the anagen phase, which helps increase hair length and thickness. It also reduces the amount of time hair is in the telogen phase, which stops hair loss and promotes hair growth.

Minoxidil typically starts showing results within 2 to 4 months, where you may notice the growth of soft, fine, and colorless hair. By 4 to 6 months, this is often followed by the appearance of thicker and darker hair.

For continued hair regrowth, it is essential to use minoxidil consistently and regularly. During the first 1 to 3 weeks of use, you might experience increased hair shedding, which is a normal and temporary phase. It usually indicates that the treatment is starting to work.

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Common Side Effects of Minoxidil - Common minoxidil side effects may include changes in the color or texture of your hair.

Serious Side Effects of Minoxidil - If you experience any allergic symptoms after using it, consult your doctor as soon as possible. These may include:

• Severe scalp irritation
• Facial hairs 
• Chest pain
• Fast heartbeat
• Swelling in hands or feet
• Weight gain
• Feeling of lightheadedness
• Fainting
• Headache, dizziness
• Confusion
• Redness

Although minoxidil foam and solution have a low risk of serious side effects when applied to the skin, side effects may occur if the drug enters your bloodstream.

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Minoxidil is also combined with other treatments for hair loss. For androgenetic hair loss, the most common genetic cause, minoxidil is usually combined with finasteride and laser therapy. These treatments target hair follicles differently, and are more effective when combined with other medications .

Before using minoxidil, you must understand the risks of taking the drug. This decision is up to you and your doctor. The following conditions should be considered for minoxidil:

• Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to this drug or any other medicine.
• Pediatrics - The effects of minoxidil in children are still being investigated, so do not use it.
• Women who are breastfeeding - Studies in women show that this drug does not pose any risk to the baby when used during breastfeeding. But still do not use it.
• Interactions with other drugs - Although some drugs should not be used together at all, in other cases two different drugs can be used together. But before using with another drug, ask your doctor.
• Other medical problems - Other medical problems may affect the use of this drug. If you already have any disease, make sure to tell your doctor.
• Heart disease or high blood pressure - Minoxidil has not been studied in patients with these conditions, but these patients may develop more serious problems if they use this drug over a large area and if too much minoxidil is absorbed into the body. So do not use it.

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Minoxidil is a tried, true and effective treatment for various types of hair loss. Many people use it successfully every day. Minoxidil is used to prevent hair loss and promote new hair growth. It is applied directly to the scalp and helps nourish the hair by increasing blood circulation to the hair roots. Available in different percentages for both men and women, regular use of minoxidil has proven beneficial for many people. However, its results depend on the individual and hair loss may resume if it is stopped. Also, it may have some potential side effects such as skin allergies, itching or uneven hair growth. Therefore, it is safest to use it as per the doctor's advice.