Minoxidil is a common name these days. It is very famous as a non-surgical and invasive way of hair loss treatment.
The treatment is available at Regrow hair clinic, a hair transplant clinic in India. Now let us learn from the best hair transplant doctor whether it is effective or not.
What exactly is minoxidil?
Minoxidil is an over-the-counter hair loss drug. It requires twice the application to your scalp to delay or halt the growth of male trait baldness (also known as androgenetic alopecia) and hair thinning.
Younger men (under the age of 40) who have been going bald for less than five years react better to minoxidil. Minoxidil is less likely to work if hair loss has spread over a wide area for a long time. In general, your chances of getting effective results depend on how early you have started using minoxidil.
Minoxidil is more effective at preventing or decreasing hair loss than it is at regrowing the lost hair. Hair regrowth is something of a bonus. On the other hand, minoxidil can cause hair regrowth in around 40% of men and 25% of women.
According to studies, combining minoxidil and finasteride is more successful than using either one alone. However, women are not permitted to use finasteride. Especially, women who are pregnant should avoid even touching finasteride tablets.
How does minoxidil work?
The precise mechanism of action of minoxidil in the human body is unknown. It was first formulated as an oral drug to control elevated blood pressure in the 1950s.
It helps in the widening and loosening of blood vessels to improve blood supply. Minoxidil stimulates hair development by increasing the supply of blood and nutrients to your hair follicles.
Minoxidil has little effect on hormones, unlike finasteride. Finasteride acts by blocking the androgen DHT, which can damage hair follicles.
How long would it take for minoxidil to work?
Minoxidil 5 percent, when used twice a day, will work faster than minoxidil 2 percent. The average time it takes to see results is just four months.
When you are using minoxidil for the first time, you may feel some additional hair loss. Some people may believe their hair loss is getting worse until it improves. However, it is a natural occurrence caused by the hair follicles changing their growth period.
Is it possible to use minoxidil to treat a receding hairline?
The FDA only approves minoxidil for use on the “vertex,” or top of the scalp. You will notice that it has not been shown to work on a receding hairline.
That is because it is true: no experiments have been done on minoxidil’s effect on the hairline directly. The researches on minoxidil were based on its impact on the top of the head.
However, do not expect to see benefits from using minoxidil on your receding hairline anytime soon. However, finasteride has been proven safe there, so using the two drugs together is a safer idea.
Can minoxidil help you if you are already bald?
On a bald scalp, minoxidil can never regrow hair. If your baldness is due to autoimmune disorders, vitamin shortages, trauma, or advanced male pattern baldness, there is no chance of getting hair back using minoxidil.
In that case, you may avail of other hair loss treatments. So, visit thebest hair transplant clinic in Haridwar to know your best hair loss treatment option.
Is there any risk of developing side effects by using minoxidil?
When used topically, less than 2% of minoxidil gets absorbed into your body, so severe side effects are uncommon. Some men can experience irritated or itchy scalps, as well as hair growth in unusual areas. To stop these side effects:
- Do not use more minoxidil than recommended.
- Wash your hands afterwards to avoid spreading them to other parts of your body.
- Contact your doctor if you experience scalp inflammation or unwanted facial hair growth.
If you have cardiac or blood pressure problems, see a doctor before taking minoxidil to make sure it is safe for you. When taking minoxidil, if you feel chest discomfort, quick pulse, faintness, dizziness, excessive weight gain, or hand or foot swelling, seek immediate medical help.
Pregnant or breastfeeding, women should avoid using 5 percent minoxidil or any other type of drug. Those under the age of 18 should not use minoxidil.
