Minoxidil – An Effective Hair Loss Treatment and Hair Replacement Therapy
If you are one of the 50% of the male population that suffers from baldness or thinning hair, then you have probably considered every hair loss treatment, hair transplant, or hair replacement procedure on the market. Many common hair replacement products are on the market, with the most popular ones being Propecia (Finasteride) and Rogaine. Rogaine is one of the most popular hair restoration treatments on the market, and is most commonly known by its researchers and by doctors as Monoxidil. This hair loss remedy is available in both oral and topical forms, and is known to be the first hair loss treatment approved by the FDA.
Prior to being used as a hair loss product however, Minoxidil was used as a treatment for high blood pressure. Shortly after the use of minoxidil as a blood pressure treatment, people began noticing that it carried the side effects of hair regrowth and the reversing of baldness. It was in the 1980’s that the UpJohn Corporation created a topical formulation of minoxidil and called it Rogaine. This treatment was used specifically for a hair loss remedy. Since then, many forms of minoxidil hair loss products have hit the marketplace in the form of a topical treatment, whereas the oral formulation remains as a use for blood pressure treatment. Now, minoxidil is being used as a hair restoration treatment to stimulate hair regrowth in the areas of the scalp where hair loss has occurred.
Used as a hair loss remedy, minoxidil comes in a topical formulation in 2% or 5% concentration with a propylene glycol base. The propylene glycol serves the purpose of ensuring the minoxidil is spread evenly on the area where hair growth is required. The propylene glycol also ensures easy absorption of the minoxidil into the skin. As of 2001, the 5% formulation has been approved by the FDA for men only. The formulation is used by applying 1ml onto the scalp daily using either a pump spray or fingertip application. The area where you require hair restoration should be dry and clean before application. Apply from the center of the area that requires hair regrowth and move outwards.
As a hair restoration treatment, minoxidil is very effective at treating hair loss occurring near the crown or top of the head than on other areas of the head. While it is a very effective hair loss treatment, it does not work 100% of the time for everyone. Clinical trials report 48% success after one year’s use, with reports indicating a dense hair regrowth on the treated area. 36% reported a small amount of hair regrowth and 16% claimed no hair regrowth occurred.
The effectiveness of minoxidil for hair growth does not appear to begin until use has occurred for a minimum of four months. First signs of effectiveness begin to appear after approximately three months of treatment. It is at this time that the shedding of hair or hair loss slows down significantly. When the hair growth starts, it will appear soft and not very visible. This may be the extent of effectiveness of minoxidil for some people, whereas others will notice thickness and color that is similar to their normal hair growth after further use.
There is no cure for hair loss or baldness, and minoxidil is only one of many hair loss products. Other hair loss products include Finasteride (Propecia) and foam Rogaine (Monoxidil in foam formulation). You can order Propecia online, or obtain Propecia prescription from your doctor and buy Propecia from any online pharmacy. As with any hair replacement treatment, you need to continue use of the hair loss product or you will begin to lose your hair regrowth or experience thinning hair once again.
I’ve tried Rogaine and now currently use another product with great success that uses Minoxidil in it’s formula. To read about what I have used and am currently using, check out the following article:
Hair Loss Products 101 – What Did and Didn’t Work For Me
Cheers,
~Tony
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