Can Minoxidil revive dead follicles?

Can Minoxidil revive dead follicles?

As one of the leading treatments for male pattern hair loss, questions about Minoxidil abound. But can Minoxidil revive dead hair follicles? Here, we take a closer look at what Minoxidil is, how it works, and whether or not it can help bring life back to the hair follicles that you are about to lose. 

What is Minoxidil? 

Minoxidil is one of two medications - alongside Finasteride - that has been clinically proven to treat male pattern hair loss. While its exact mechanism of action is not widely understood, Minoxidil is typically used as a 5% solution that can be applied to the scalp in order to improve the fullness of one’s hair. As a vasodilator, Minoxidil increases the flow of blood and oxygen to the affected areas of the scalp, which ensures the follicles have the nutrients required for growth. But can Minoxidil revive dead hair follicles? 

Can Minoxidil revive dead hair follicles?  

There isn’t any evidence to suggest that Minoxidil can revive dead hair follicles, but a 5% topical Minoxidil solution has been found to contribute significantly to hair regrowth. As well as increasing the flow of nutrients to the affected areas of your scalp, Minoxidil can also shorten the telogen (resting) phase of the hair growth cycle, which transitions your hair into the anagen phase more quickly. By stimulating the growth phase more quickly, Minoxidil reduces the amount of time your hair spends within the resting and shedding phases of the cycle, which can limit the amount of hair that you lose. 

Therefore, the dead hair follicles on your scalp will still fall out, but you will just experience shorter periods of rest and shedding. After all, it’s perfectly normal for people to lose between 50 and 100 hairs every day. So, although we’re not able to say that Minoxidil can revive dead hair follicles, it is clear that the treatment can contribute to improved hair growth, particularly when used alongside Finasteride. 

Is Minoxidil an effective hair loss treatment? 

Several studies have found Minoxidil to be an effective treatment for hair loss. A 2004 study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, found that 62% of men with hair loss saw improvements in their condition after using Minoxidil for twelve months. Furthermore, a 2007 study published in the same journal found that a 5% Minoxidil solution resulted in a significant increase in hair growth over sixteen weeks compared to participants who used a placebo. As such, when used consistently, Minoxidil is an effective hair loss treatment. 

Begin your hair loss treatment with Minoxidil today 

At Sons, Minoxidil is one of our most popular hair loss treatments, and it is effective for 2 out of 3 men. It’s important to apply Minoxidil to your scalp consistently over a sustained period of time to see the results that you desire. But Minoxidil works best when used in conjunction with Finasteride, the other medication that has been clinically proven to treat male pattern hair loss. Our Full Works treatment plan brings both medications together, as well as saw palmetto shampoo and Biotin, to provide your hair with the best chance of regrowing. 

Browse through our hair loss treatment plans today to find the best way to treat your hair loss, and get in touch with our team if you have any questions about how any of them work.

All of our blog articles are reviewed by our Medical Director before publication.