Review of Minoxidil for Hair Loss - The Things You Should Know
If you are suffering hair loss, you may be searching for a treatment.
Today, more than ever before, it is possible to do something about it.
One of your options is a drug called minoxidil (generic name), which is approved by the FDA for use in men and women.
This article will give you the information you need to decide if minoxidil is right for you.
How is it Used? It is available as solutions or foams which are applied to the scalp, twice a day, in the thinning areas.
It is important to keep up the right frequency of use, and to use it for at least four months to see the full effects, for you.
A 2% solution or foam is recommended for women, 5% is for men.
Having said that, some women have had good results from a 5% formula, while many men use solutions stronger than 5%.
Most of the clinical studies I have seen are done in men, with a 5% formula.
How Does It Work? This is not known for certain, but it seems probable that it improves blood circulation to the hair follicles, because minoxidil is a vaso-dilator.
What About Side Effects? Most side effects are local, scalp irritations.
Many minoxidil solutions contain 10% propylene glycol which is probably the cause.
The foams, however don't contain this and fewer cases of irritation are reported.
There are some unusual side effects to be aware of, which are caused by minoxidil entering the bloodstream via the scalp.
These include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, chest pain and swelling of the hands and feet, and are more likely to happen with the stronger solutions, or over-application.
Consult your doctor if any of these happen.
How Long Before I See Any Results? As with any hair loss treatment, this will take at least four to six weeks, and this is related to the fact that hair takes time to grow.
There are other factors too, like how aggressive your hair loss is and how fast or slowly your hair normally grows.
It is important to have realistic expectations.
If you are committed to use it, though, you should allow four months to see how it works for you, before you make a judgment.
About Shedding When you start using minoxidil, it can cause noticeable shedding in the first few weeks.
This, of course, is unsettling but the manufacturers claim this usually leads into a phase of improvement.
The explanation for shedding is that the follicles which are soon to shed a hair anyway, before going into a resting phase, are stimulated to act quicker because of improved blood flow.
The hairs are shed, and the follicles begin their new phase of activity sooner.
How Long Will I Need to Use Minoxidil For? The response rates with minoxidil are very good, but as with any treatment, for any condition, it isn't going to work for everyone.
Results of clinical trials are that by the four month stage a majority of men say that minoxidil improved thickness/fullness of hair, and reduced the size of thinning and bald areas.
If you find it works for you, you will need to carry on using it, because when you stop, the positive effects will wear off as your follicles gradually return to their previous state.
In Summary These are the main points about minoxidil.
Now you have more information to decide if this is the right treatment for you...
Today, more than ever before, it is possible to do something about it.
One of your options is a drug called minoxidil (generic name), which is approved by the FDA for use in men and women.
This article will give you the information you need to decide if minoxidil is right for you.
How is it Used? It is available as solutions or foams which are applied to the scalp, twice a day, in the thinning areas.
It is important to keep up the right frequency of use, and to use it for at least four months to see the full effects, for you.
A 2% solution or foam is recommended for women, 5% is for men.
Having said that, some women have had good results from a 5% formula, while many men use solutions stronger than 5%.
Most of the clinical studies I have seen are done in men, with a 5% formula.
How Does It Work? This is not known for certain, but it seems probable that it improves blood circulation to the hair follicles, because minoxidil is a vaso-dilator.
What About Side Effects? Most side effects are local, scalp irritations.
Many minoxidil solutions contain 10% propylene glycol which is probably the cause.
The foams, however don't contain this and fewer cases of irritation are reported.
There are some unusual side effects to be aware of, which are caused by minoxidil entering the bloodstream via the scalp.
These include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, chest pain and swelling of the hands and feet, and are more likely to happen with the stronger solutions, or over-application.
Consult your doctor if any of these happen.
How Long Before I See Any Results? As with any hair loss treatment, this will take at least four to six weeks, and this is related to the fact that hair takes time to grow.
There are other factors too, like how aggressive your hair loss is and how fast or slowly your hair normally grows.
It is important to have realistic expectations.
If you are committed to use it, though, you should allow four months to see how it works for you, before you make a judgment.
About Shedding When you start using minoxidil, it can cause noticeable shedding in the first few weeks.
This, of course, is unsettling but the manufacturers claim this usually leads into a phase of improvement.
The explanation for shedding is that the follicles which are soon to shed a hair anyway, before going into a resting phase, are stimulated to act quicker because of improved blood flow.
The hairs are shed, and the follicles begin their new phase of activity sooner.
How Long Will I Need to Use Minoxidil For? The response rates with minoxidil are very good, but as with any treatment, for any condition, it isn't going to work for everyone.
Results of clinical trials are that by the four month stage a majority of men say that minoxidil improved thickness/fullness of hair, and reduced the size of thinning and bald areas.
If you find it works for you, you will need to carry on using it, because when you stop, the positive effects will wear off as your follicles gradually return to their previous state.
In Summary These are the main points about minoxidil.
Now you have more information to decide if this is the right treatment for you...
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