If you’ve done even a bit of research into hair loss solutions, you’ve probably caught wind of Minoxidil. Minoxidil is a popular hair loss treatment for good reason - it has been proven in studies to be effective in preventing further hair loss and encouraging regrowth. But how long will it take to see results?
How does it work?
Minoxidil isn’t just any old treatment. The drug has been used for decades to treat male pattern balding. Minoxidil comes in a topical or oral formulation that should be used daily. In contrast to Finasteride (which block DHT), Minoxidil creates a healthy environment for your hair follicles to flourish by increasing blood flow to the scalp. Therefore, the drug gives your hair follicles the boost they need to regenerate.
How do I use Minoxidil?
Applying the solution couldn’t be easier - all you have to do is use 1ml of Minoxidil on the areas of your scalp where you can see signs of thinning, or take a daily capsule. If you are using the topical solution, make sure your scalp is dry and apply the solution twice a day, alongside your other supplements.
As Minoxidil induces an early anagen phase of hair growth, it’s not uncommon for men to notice old hairs falling out more than normal at the beginning. There’s nothing to fret about though - this prolonging of the anagen phase should ultimately lead to longer hair length and thickness.
How long before I see Minoxidil results?
While Minoxidil gets to work on your head almost immediately, the drug normally takes several months to show any signs of growth. Most men start to notice small changes after just 3-6 months of consistent use. One clinical study found that, after 4 months of use, a quarter of men said that their regrowth was ‘moderate to dense’. Bear in mind that this is still at the very beginning of the Minoxidil treatment period.
At this point, the science behind yearly Minoxidil use has been categoric for decades. A study from 2003, which had over 10,000 participants, stated that after a single year of Minoxidil use, 92% of men said their hair felt either fair, good or excellent. While a year might seem like a long time, don’t let that put you off. It’s possible that positive Minoxidil results can become visible earlier.
If you want to give yourself the best chance of seeing results, you could consider combining Minoxidil with Finasteride, which have been shown in studies to be more effective when used together versus alone.
While Minoxidil gets to work from the get-go, it will take around 6 months before you notice any signs of regrowth. With consistency, commitment and a little patience, you could notice positive results in a few short months.
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