Minoxidil and hair loss treatment

Minoxidil is one of the oldest anti-hair loss and hair growth stimulant solutions approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and has been prescribed by many doctors to treat hair loss since time immemorial. .

Today, although many solutions are produced and supplied by various laboratories, but Minoxidil still has its share in the market for hair loss treatment applicants and is the best-selling solution in most countries.

Perhaps the reason for the popularity of Minoxidil is that it is more effective than other solutions for hair regrowth. Many herbal and non-herbal solutions have a good effect in reducing hair loss and strengthening hair, and even their effect in preventing hair loss and Hair thickening is also greater than minoxidil, but when it comes to hair regrowth, minoxidil seems to work better, especially in people who have had long hair loss.


In the continuation of this article, we will review the types of minoxidil, its uses and contraindications, its side effects and history.

Minoxidil is produced by different laboratories in doses of 2% and 5%. Both women and men can use Minoxidil 2%, but Minoxidil 5% is only for men and its use by women with various side effects such as hair growth in The face and other parts of the body are involved.

Minoxidil solution does not have a complex composition and most reputable brands such as Rogaine, Regaine, Alopexy, Kirkland, etc. have the same quality. It is also possible to prepare homemade minoxidil by a pharmacist and pharmacist by combining minoxidil powder with distilled water and other ingredients, but the important point is the quality of the powder used and that the final solution should not contain more than 5% (5 G per 100 cc) of minoxidil, taking a higher dose of minoxidil does not lead to better results and may cause serious side effects. A maximum of one person is allowed to consume 2 cc of 5% minoxidil during 24 hours.


What is the difference between minoxidil foam and minoxidil solution?

Minoxidil foam is suitable for people who suffer from baldness or shave their hair with a razor. These people, when using Minoxidil solution, because it is liquid, may slip on their head and enter the forehead and face, and On the contrary, those who have normal or long hair, if they use Minoxidil foam, most of it is rubbed into the hair strands instead of being absorbed into the scalp, so Minoxidil solution is more suitable for them.

History of Minoxidil:

Minoxidil was first used orally in medicine to treat high blood pressure. Doctors have found that taking minoxidil in some patients with high blood pressure, especially in women, causes side effects such as abnormally increased hair growth and excess hair growth. It is spread throughout the body and later medical researchers developed a solution of minoxidil in a much lower concentration than its oral form for topical use and treatment of hair loss.


Minoxidil function:

It seems that the main mechanism of minoxidil solution is to increase blood flow to the hair follicles, which causes more oxygen and nutrients to reach the hair follicles and strengthens and stimulates their growth.

Minoxidil apparently does this by dilating the arteries in the area that is applied topically.

Some experts also believe that minoxidil may counteract the damaging effects of DHT (dihydrotestosterone) on the hair follicles, although there is no documented evidence to support this.

There is also little evidence that minoxidil solution increases the production of protein and DNA in the hair follicles.


Is Minoxidil a Cure for Hair Loss?

No, hair loss has many different and complex causes that can vary from person to person, including a lack of minerals and vitamins, an increase in certain minerals in the body such as iron and copper, an increase in dihydrotestosterone with an increase Age in men, problems with the thyroid and adrenal glands, stress, anemia, etc., none of which can be treated with minoxidil solution or any other solution. Minoxidil solution increases blood flow to the hair follicles only as long as you use it, followed by a reduction in hair loss and growth. It is necessary to find the root causes of hair loss and prescribe appropriate treatment by a specialist doctor. Otherwise, hair loss will start again when you stop taking Minoxidil.

Of course, this office is not only for Minoxidil and the main causes of hair loss should be rooted out and treated along with the use of any solution, and certainly by consuming solutions alone, a complete and acceptable result will not be achieved. Also, according to the cause of hair loss and some time after hair loss, the appropriate solution should be selected, which is not limited to minoxidil. In some cases, other solutions are much more effective than minoxidil.

The most important point in the treatment of hair loss is to diagnose the causes of hair loss and regulate the body's biochemistry, which is the main part of the treatment, and for this it is necessary to perform hair analysis tests and a number of blood tests in the first step.

 The most important point in the treatment of hair loss is to diagnose the causes of hair loss and regulate the body's biochemistry, which is the main part of treatment. Be carefully examined. For more information, please refer to the causes of hair loss.


In what cases should minoxidil solution be used:

In my opinion, Minoxidil should be used only in cases where a large part of the hair has fallen out or a long time (more than 3 years) after hair loss, and I mention again that the solutions are 10 to 20% of the treatment and the main part ; Regulates the body's biochemistry and restores the natural cycle of hair growth.

Side effects of minoxidil:

In some people, taking minoxidil may cause itching and skin allergies, headaches, dizziness, weight gain and high blood pressure, and if these side effects are experienced for more than a few days, you should stop taking it and consult a specialist.

Contraindications to minoxidil:

People with cardiovascular disease, kidney problems, high blood pressure, or any other specific condition should consult their doctor before taking it.

Minoxidil should also not be used during pregnancy and lactation.

Consumption period:

Depending on the age, duration and amount of hair shed, the period of minoxidil consumption is usually between 6 to 18 months. Of course, some people will need more time.

Frequently Asked Questions about Minoxidil:

Could minoxidil increase hair loss?

In some people, hair loss may increase in the first month of using minoxidil, and hair loss should decrease after 30 to 35 days.

Important Note: If you are one of the people who still experience an increase in hair loss after 40 days of taking Minoxidil than before, you should not continue taking Minoxidil. In some people, taking Minoxidil has the opposite and negative effect, especially in women. More to be seen.

Is taking minoxidil a habit and will hair loss start again when you stop taking it:


Minoxidil does not cause hair addiction and habit, but why do most people experience hair loss even more severely than before when they stop taking it? As mentioned, Minoxidil solution does not cure hair loss, and if the causes of hair loss are not diagnosed and treated properly, hair loss will certainly start again with the cessation of Minoxidil, which will lead people to mistakenly think that Minoxidil is used. It has become a habit and should be used for life!

Some people also say that after taking it for a while, Minoxidil loses its effect, which is another misconception. It is also related to the lack of root canal and treatment of the causes of hair loss, which over time are the factors involved in hair loss. Hair, including mineral imbalances in the body, becomes more acute and causes minoxidil to have no effect on reducing hair loss.

In cases where I have prescribed Minoxidil for my patients, because the causes of hair loss have been prescribed by specialized root canal tests and a complete treatment plan, no re-hair loss has been observed after stopping Minoxidil, and of course I note that it is rare. I will prescribe Minoxidil to patients unless otherwise noted in this article.