Minoxidil applied to the scalp is used to stimulate hair growth in adult men and women with a certain type of baldness.
It can be applied to the scalp to promote hair growth in male or female pattern baldness or as an adjuvant treatment in other types of alopecia, such as alopecia areata or advanced traction alopecia. Although, the 10% concentration of this drug can only be used off-label, as it has yet to be approved for hair loss.
Topical minoxidil 2% and 5% are both approved for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia. Higher concentration products like minoxidil 10% are not approved for the treatment of hair loss. Minoxidil 5% is thought to yield superior results compared to both minoxidil 2% and minoxidil 10%.
In this study, the 5% formulation was significantly better than both the 2% formulation and the placebo for improving nonvellus hair count. Response to treatment was also observed earlier with topical minoxidil 5% than with 2%. Topical minoxidil 5% improved psychosocial perceptions of hair loss among patients.
Results: After 36 weeks of therapy; 5% topical minoxidil (0.47 ± 0.26) (0.59 ± 0.64) was significantly superior to 10% topical minoxidil (0.05 ± 0.13) (0.45 ± 0.74) and placebo (0.01 ± 0.05) (-0.03 ± 0.08) in terms of change from baseline in total vertex and frontal hair mean count respectively.
This medication must be used on a regular basis for your hair to regrow. It may take 2 to 4 months of regular use before you notice any improvement. It is important to continue to use this product to maintain regrowth of hair. Once you stop using it, the regrown hair will usually fall out within 3 months.
Oral finasteride is one of the most popular alternatives to minoxidil for male pattern baldness. Known by the brand-name Propecia, finasteride has DHT blocker effects and is FDA-approved as an effective medication to stop hair loss in men. It is also approved for an enlarged prostate under the brand-name Proscar.
Minoxidil is considered safe for long-term use; there are few to no withdrawal effects, nor long-term side effects (aside from in very rare cases). Stopping minoxidil should not cause you any further issues aside from the return of your hair loss.
Rogaine in both the 2% & 5% minoxidil formulations can eventually result in thicker, denser hair—but it will take up to 6 to 7 months to achieve. You will have to keep up with the treatment in order to maintain. This solution works best on the vertex & crown areas, less so for the front & temple pattern hair loss.
Do not use any other skin products on the same skin area on which you use minoxidil. Hair coloring, hair permanents, and hair relaxers may be used during minoxidil therapy as long as the scalp is washed just before applying the hair coloring, permanent, or relaxer.
You have significant side effects. It's expensive to continue using Minoxidil every day. You're concerned that Minoxidil is interacting with other medications you're taking. You've achieved the results you want and no longer want to use Minoxidil.
While you are taking minoxidil, weigh yourself every day. A weight gain of 2 to 3 pounds (about 1 kg) in an adult is normal and should be lost with continued treatment.
Ketoconazole has antifungal and anti-androgen properties and can also reverse baldness. Some treatments for male pattern baldness include a combination of minoxidil and ketoconazole. Ketoconazole shampoo is among the best shampoos to use with minoxidil.
Minoxidil should not be used in patients with a known history of hypersensitivity to the drug or its constituents, including propylene glycol. The utilization of minoxidil is not recommended for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Also, could you suggest which type of shampoo would be best to use with this treatment? If you are using minoxidil once a day daily, it is recommended to shampoo your hair at least 2-3 times a week.
Minoxidil is a potent directly acting vasodilator previously used in treatment-resistant hypertension. It possesses several serious side effects including fluid retention, worsening of heart failure, reflex tachycardia, angina, myocardial infarction, pericardial effusion, and hypotension.
Rosemary essential oil
In a trial with androgenetic alopecia patients, application of rosemary oil topically in the form of lotion, was found to be the same in effect as topical 2% minoxidil, which makes it a perfect minoxidil alternative for hair growth.
The most common side effects of topical minoxidil application are redness and irritation of the skin. Rarely, patients have reported headaches, palpitations, and dizziness. Oral minoxidil side effects include palpitations, dizziness, low blood pressure, chest pain, headaches, and swelling of the legs.
A visible scalp through your hair can be a sign that it's thinning (but not always). The factors that contribute to thinning hair (and thus a visible scalp) include stress, diet, vitamin deficiency and ageing.
Dermatologists recommend using Viviscal Pro, Nutrafol, and Rogaine for their clinical effectiveness. Prenatal vitamins and folic acid supplements can also help. Ask a dermatologist before considering alternative treatments that may cause harm to your health.