Minoxidil has a fascinating history.
The medication was approved as a tablet all the way back in 1979 to treat patients with high blood pressure. While the tablets worked for their intended purpose, patients also started noticing a curious side effect: the regrowth and improvement of their hair.
Upjohn (the pharmaceutical company that developed Minoxidil) investigated this further and discovered that as a topical medication, Minoxidil was particularly effective at halting hair loss and, in some cases, regrowing hair. By 1988, the FDA had approved the medication as a treatment for hair loss and the rest, as they say, is history.
Today, millions of men use Minoxidil daily to combat male pattern hair loss. If you're interested in following the hair loss treatment path, Minoxidil will almost certainly be involved.
In simple terms, Minoxidil increases blood flow to the scalp, providing hair follicles with vital nutrients and oxygen. This nourishment gives damaged follicles the opportunity to recover from the damage caused by male pattern hair loss.
If successful, consistent Minoxidil consumption could deliver results in between 6-12 months
Dozens of peer-reviewed studies have investigated the effects of Minoxidil as a hair loss treatment. For instance, this 1986 study found that 56% of 81 men experienced significant hair growth over a one-year period, with 95% reporting that ‘95% assessed the effectiveness of topical Minoxidil as moderate or excellent’.
It’s clear that Minoxidil works for the vast majority of men, but further research also indicates that 5% formulations work more effectively than 2%. This 2002 study is a clear testament to that hypothesis, with the conclusion stating that the 5% topical formulation ‘was clearly superior’.
While Minoxidil doesn’t work for every guy, it’s clearly evident that the vast majority of men will see a material improvement.
Citations
1 Combined treatment with oral finasteride and topical minoxidil in male androgenetic alopecia, 2015.
2 Finasteride: a review of it's use in hair loss, 2012
3 Global photographic assessment of men... Olsen, 2007
Minoxidil is commonly used alongside the only other approved medication for male pattern hair loss: Finasteride.
While Minoxidil gives follicles the helping hand they need to recover, Finasteride inhibits the production of the hormone DHT, a by-product of testosterone that damages follicles over time in men who are genetically sensitive to it. When taken together, numerous studies have shown that using Finasteride and Minoxidil can be particularly effective at combatting male pattern hair loss.
Topical Minoxidil is a twice-daily medication. The recommended dose is to spray 1ml/10 pumps, ideally in the morning and evening. Your hair and scalp must be dry when applying the spray. Spread the solution across the treatment area using your fingertips, then wash your hands.
As with all treatment, consistency is key. Keep up your routine to see the best results.
It takes some time for changes to become visible. Some men will shed more fine hairs than normal, but this is only temporary.
Hair loss may have considerably slowed or stopped completely. Some people see signs of regrowth, primarily at the crown of the head.
As the medication continues to work, miniaturised hairs will be replaced by thicker healthier hairs which leads to a gradual improvement in hair density over time .
Yes - Minoxidil has been medically proven as an effective way to treat hair loss. Medical data has shown that Minoxidil can help to regrow and revitalise hair around the scalp. While Minoxidil has been proven effective in a variety of studies, the rate of its success is still down to consistent use. If you want to experience the best results, using Minoxidil with Finasteride and other supplements in our treatment plans have the potential to halt your hair loss and, in many cases, reverse it.
Like any medication, Minoxidil has the potential to cause side effects, however they are thankfully very rare. Minoxidil works The most common side effects are scalp irritation and redness, which could be a sign of an intolerance to Minoxidil or one of its ingredients. As you start taking Minoxidil, you may notice a period of increased shedding - with consistent usage this usually settles down and it is a sign that the Minoxidil is starting to work, by older, miniaturised hairs making way for thicker healthier hairs to regrow. There is no evidence from clinical studies that suggest that using Minoxidil over a long period of time can cause negative side effects. t’s always best to familiarise yourself with the potential side effects, even with the very low chances of developing them.
While consistent use of Minoxidil is able to stop a receding hairline, evidence also indicates that it can regrow hair. Minoxidil does this by increasing the blood flow to the scalp and therefore increasing the number of nutrients and oxygen available to your hair follicles. These follicles then become healthier and revitalised, giving your hair the perfect foundation to regrow.
It might initially seem more difficult to apply our topical Minoxidil solution if you have long hair, but that isn’t the case. Our 5% Minoxidil has a handy actuator pump, which helps you direct the Minoxidil to the areas on the scalp that need it, rather than through the length of your hair. First things first, make sure your scalp is dry before applying, before pulling or splitting your hair in the parts that are receding or thinning the most (usually the crown or the temples). Remember - staying consistent with your Minoxidil and applying twice a day will give you the best results in the future.
Yes - evidence has shown that Minoxidil is able to slow down the rate of hair loss and, in some cases, even regrow it. The medication does this by increasing blood flow to your scalp, therefore giving your hair follicles the opportunity to repair. While using Minoxidil on its own has the potential to produce results, when used alongside other medications in our treatments (such as Finasteride), your chances get a big boost.
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