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How To Use Minoxidil For Hair Loss

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Minoxidil for Hair Loss

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Do You Have To Use Minoxidil Continuously To See Results

In terms of whether it is an on-going treatment, this depends on the condition you are using it for. If it is for a permanent hair loss condition such as Male Pattern Baldness or Female Hair Loss then, because the DHT which causes thinning hair in these cases is produced constantly and therefore treatment to counteract this is on-going. In instances where the hairloss is temporary, such as Telogen Effluvium, once the hair has regrown the treatment may be stopped in some cases.

Where the condition may be either temporary or recurring, such as Alopecia Areata, if the hair grows back you can stop treatment and hair growth should remain. Some people have recurring alopecia, where patches may return. In such cases you can continue to use minoxidil on any new patches.

In all of these cases, Belgravia clients will be assisted and advised by their treatment advisor and hair loss specialist nurse in order to closely monitor the situation and ensure the best course of action for the client at all times, throughout.

For any condition it is important to be consistent with your usage and apply every day as instructed.

How Should Women Use Minoxidil

Minoxidil is a topical treatment, meaning that you apply it directly to your scalp, not your hair. Typically, dosing instructions are as follows :

  • Minoxidil 5% topical foam: Apply ½ a capful once daily
  • Minoxidil 2% topical solution: Apply 1 mL two times a day

Generally, the guidelines for applying minoxidil are to massage it into your scalp with your fingers and make sure to wash your hands immediately afterward. Ideally, apply the treatment at least two hours before bedtime to allow it to dry completelythis may help prevent the minoxidil from spreading to other parts of the body while you sleep. Minoxidil can also stain clothing or bed linen if your scalp is not fully dry after using the treatment.

One important thing to note is that it has to be used daily to maintain results. Once you stop treatment, hair loss will return within three months.

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Will I Get Better Or Quicker Results If I Use More Than The Normal Dose

No. Using more than the dosage specified by your hair loss specialist can be dangerous and it is important that you only use the amount advised by your hair loss specialist. Your minoxidil has been recommended to ensure optimum results for your case so you do not need to use any more than has been prescribed. It can also make you more likely to experience skin irritation and dryness due to excessive use.

How To Use Minoxidil Foam

Tips to stop hair loss with Regaine

Minoxidil comes in the form of a liquid or foam. Both types of minoxidil have to be applied to your scalp.

You can apply the liquid solution using a dropper that comes with the treatment. The foam treatment comes in a spray bottle. Since they both work the same, the reason to choose one over the other is a matter of convenience and ease of application.

The foam version of minoxidil does not contain propylene glycol, which is water-soluble alcohol. Propylene glycol may cause redness and irritation in some people. If you have extra sensitive skin, then the foam Minoxidil is the better option for you.

To apply minoxidil foam:

  • Turn the can upside down and press the nozzle on your fingers.
  • Use your fingers to spread the foam over your hair loss area.
  • Gently massage your scalp.
  • For adults, apply half a capful of the foam solution to the scalp twice a day. For children, consult with your doctor first.

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    Results Are Tentative But Promising

    These are just a few studies, and they all have quite small sample sizes. That means that any conclusions of the research should be read with some degree of caution. Still, together they suggest that minoxidil is promising as an effective beard enhancement medication.

    Those initial results are part of the reason that minoxidil is often used as an off-label treatment for beard and facial hair enhancement.

    A Definitive Guide To Oral Minoxidil For Hair Loss By A Dermatologist

    Minoxidil is a successful hair treatment and it is applied on to scalp as a scalp tonic or foam. This is the preferred and first choice of Minoxidil treatment as topical Minoxidil products are well established for their safety and effectiveness. There are certain circumstances that Minoxidil can be taken orally as a tablet.

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    Can Women Use Minoxidil

    Women can use minoxidil . Initially made for use only in men, minoxidil is now an FDA-approved, over-the-counter medication for male and female hair loss. In fact, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, it is the most recommended treatment for female pattern hair loss, and studies show that it significantly increases total hair count leading to fuller hair after using it for 24 weeks .

    There are two forms available: a 2% topical solution and a 5% topical foam. A 5% topical solution also exists, but it is currently only approved for use in men.

    Minoxidil Pros For Women:

    Using Minoxidil for Thinning Hair
    • Minoxidil is successful in slowing down or stopping hair loss for many women.
    • Some women have experienced hair growth by using minoxidil.
    • This is an over-the-counter medication. However, consult a healthcare professional before using it. Other medical conditions, such as thyroid dysfunction or nutritional abnormalities, may also have caused the hair fall.
    • According to studies, minoxidil helps in treating hair disorders and promotes hair density in patients
    • Studies also show that minxodil is effective in treating Androgenetic alopecia or female pattern baldness.
    • The use of minoxidil stimulates blood circulation in small blood vessels and prompts hair follicles to grow hair again.

    Also Check: How To Make My Hair Stop Thinning

    Reason #: Not Everyone Should Be Using Minoxidil

    As with any other drug or medication, it turns out that Minoxidil is NOT the optimal choice for select individuals.

    For instance, dermatologist Dr. Jeff Donovan specifically avoids prescribing Minoxidil in five different scenarios:

    an individual has some other hair loss condition besides androgenetic hair loss, such as dissecting cellulitis or menopause

    the patient has heart problems, especially ischemic type heart disease or certain types of heart failure

    the patient has heart rhythm issues

    the patient has certain internal conditions

    the individual has allergies to any of the components of minoxidil, such as propylene glycol in minoxidil solution or allergy to the minoxidil itself

    • Teens under the age of 18
    • Breastfeeding mothers
    • People with pre-existing kidney disease
    • Cancer patients who lost hair due to chemotherapy

    In other words, the eligibility for Minoxidil isnt as great as advertised.

    Minoxidil And Female Pattern Hair Loss

    Having a hair loss treatment on the market like minoxidil for women is important because female pattern hair loss is quite common. It can begin in women as early as their 20s and affects almost 25% of women by 50 years of age. By the age of 79, over 50% of women have some degree of hair loss .

    FPHL is likely due to a combination of factors. Still, since there are more cases of female pattern hair loss after menopause, hormonal changes are likely involved in some wayscientists are still piecing together this part of the puzzle .

    There also seems to be a genetic component to this condition, and many women with thinning hair have a family history of hair loss. The genes for female pattern hair loss can come from your mother, father, or both. However, there is no definitive inheritance pattern, and there may be multiple genes involved .

    While FPHL is the most common type of hair loss in women, other things can cause hair thinning, including pregnancy, harsh styling products or dyes, medications, nutritional deficiencies, and stress .

    Hair loss in women is usually progressivethis means that if left untreated, you will likely continue to lose hair. Even though women do not usually go fully bald as men often can, many desire treatment. Fortunately, treatments like minoxidil are available.

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    Can They Be Used Together Safely

    After learning more about just how these medications work for hair loss and what they can do, you may have trouble deciding which direction sounds more appealing.

    Well, it turns out that you may not need to choose at all, and if it is ok with your doctor, you are likely safe using both medications together for hair loss.

    These medications work on very different targets for hair loss, Finasteride blocks DHT, while Minoxidil increased blood flow, so there is little to no risk of interaction or overlap between the two.

    However, you will still need to speak with a doctor before starting these medications to make sure that they do not interact with any additional condition you may have or other medication that you are currently using.

    Important Information About All Medicines

    Minoxidil DOES NOT Prevent Hair Loss

    This preparation is for use on the skin only. If someone swallows some of it, go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital. Take the container with you, even if it is empty.

    This medicine is for you. Never give it to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.

    Do not keep out-of-date or unwanted medicines. Take them to your local pharmacy which will dispose of them for you.

    If you have any questions about this medicine ask your pharmacist.

    Further reading and references

    Recommended Reading: Does Caffeine Affect Hair Loss

    How Do I Apply Minoxidil

    Where and how you need to apply it depends on your condition and what form of shedding you are experiencing, but you can find a general guide to applying minoxidil products by clicking on the question title above.

    During your initial consultation at Belgravia a hair loss specialist will show you how to apply minoxidil to your scalp. If you would ever like a refresher demonstration, just let your personal treatment advisor know and they can arrange this for you.

    How Is Minoxidil Different From Rogaine

    Rogaine® was the original brand name version of topical minoxidil that was FDA-approved for male pattern hair loss. After several years of Rogaine® being on the market, the FDA approved generic formulations of minoxidil. Rogaine® and generic minoxidil are both available in 2% and 5% strengths as a solution and as a foam. Minoxidil 5% has been found to be more effective in men, while the 2% and 5% are equally effective in women. Both strengths are FDA-approved for use in men and the 2% strength is also FDA-approved for use in women.

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    One Case Study Examined Minoxidil For Beard Hair Growth On A Transgender Make Patient

    In another studya case studyminoxidil was examined for its effectiveness in promoting facial hair growth in an adolescent transgender male. It was found to be effective, even promoting hair growth elsewhere on the body.

    The authors concluded, Given its long-standing use and safety record in the management of alopecia, minoxidil might thus represent a useful treatment option for trans males who desire an increase in facial hair.

    Stopped Using Minoxidil For A While

    Secret to applying minoxidil for hair loss.
    • Thread starterGabe

    Gabe said:I am that stupid guy who gave up using minoxidil for 3-4 weeks and the hair loss showed up pretty bad. Then I started using it again but since then I didn’t notice any improvement . I only use it once a day . Do you consider I should try twice a day? I tried the roller once a week but didn’t have any result either. Should I consider the hair transplant?

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    How Does Minoxidil Work For Hair Loss

    • Minoxidil is a topical solution, which is available in different strengths, mainly as 2% and 5% minoxidil solutions.
    • It revives your inactive hair follicles by stopping further hair loss and stimulates new hair growth.
    • When it is applied to the scalp daily over the period of one year, its proven to be effective in about 85% of the patients.
    • The results vary depending on individual response and the relentlessness of hair loss progression.
    • You are always advised to take minoxidil under Dermatologists guidance.

    What Is Minoxidil And How Does It Work

    Minoxidil may be well-known as a hair loss drug, but it was originally developed as a vasodilator in the early 1960s.

    The drug was synthesized among many others to create a viable solution for patients suffering from hypertension and the high blood pressure that followed it.

    But once scientists figured out Minoxidil had a side effect of growing unwanted hair in select parts of their bodies, efforts were re-directed to formulate the compound as a solution for hair loss.

    Although Minoxidil was initially approved by the FDA in 1979 as an oral tablet for treating high blood pressure, it later received another approval in 1988 as a topical solution for treating androgenic alopecia in men and women.

    It wasnt until 1998 where Minoxidil was released upon the world as an over-the-counter formulation. For the first time in history, patients could use Minoxidil without requiring a doctors prescription.

    The mechanism of action for Minoxidil inducing hair growth isnt exactly clear, but several factors are believed to be at play:

    The latter effect is likely the most causative factor behind why Minoxidil works, as poor blood flow is believed to be connected to hair loss.

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    Can It Make Hair Loss Worse

    During the first several weeks of treatment, some people may notice that their hair loss seems to be getting worse. However, this is just a sign that the treatment is working since Minoxidil speeds up the telogen cycle. In other words, the hair that initially sheds is actually the hair that was already in the process of shedding.

    The new growth that emerges will be both thicker and healthier. Minoxidil will then extend the growth cycle of the new hair that emerges, causing a decrease in overall hair loss.

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