Find Out If Minoxidil
will Grow Your Hair Back

Minoxidil – how to use it safely, its side effects, cost, money back guarantee, etc.

This non-prescription drug can help four out of five men and women with genetic hair loss (androgenetic alopecia or, male pattern baldness). In trials it’s been proven effective, but for some people there will be side effects!

Most people with genetic hair loss have already heard of its brand names (Rogaine in the US and Regaine in the UK). But, you can also buy non-branded (generic minoxidil) at much lower costs.

Minoxidil was first introduced in the 1970’s as the antihypertensive prescription drug Loniten - a pill that lowers blood pressure. (This drug is a vasodilator - it relaxes blood vessels which then causes them to expand).

One of its reported side effects was hair growth, so it was then tested for its hair loss application and approved by the FDA for this use. It’s been available since the late 80’s for androgenetic hair loss treatment.

Does it really work?

Yes - It's been clinically proven as effective for up to 80% of people. It can slow down, or even stop, hair loss, and may even produce some hair regrowth in approximately 10% of cases.

It can take as long as 9 months to find out whether it's working for you.

Ingredients - what’s in it?

You normally get generic minoxidil solution (also known as generic Rogaine) in the same 2% and 5% concentrations as Rogaine. Higher concentrations are available, but minoxidil will crystallise at 10% concentration and so has to be made as a cream.

Note - high strength minoxidil is not FDA approved and only available by prescription.

Other ingredients are the same as in Rogaine, but in varying proportions. These include alcohol, propylene glycol and purified water.

You can also get sprays that combine minoxidil with Retin-A. It’s colorless and odourless and disappears into the hair within 10 seconds. (Retin-A prevents the outer layer of the skin from forming a hard layer which keeps the follicles from clogging up).

However, whilst minoxidil must be applied twice a day to be effective, Retin-A binds well to the skin and so only needs to be applied once a day. You might experience irritation caused by overuse of Retin-A in which case you should stop using it.

Loniten (oral minoxidil) is also available, but it's much more risky than the topical solution.

How much do you use?

There are instructions on how to apply the solution, and an applicator is often provided with this product.

Your hair and scalp should first be completely dry. Immediately after applying it, wash your hands to avoid transferring the drug to other parts of your body. Allow 2 to 4 hours for it to completely dry - don’t use a hairdryer (this can make the treatment less effective) and don’t shampoo for 4 hours after applying it (otherwise you’ll just be washing away your money).

You must keep using it twice a day, every day in order to keep hold of any benefit you might get. If you don’t, your hair will start falling out again (this typically takes place during the 12 months after you stop using it).

Note - The necessity to apply this drug indefinitely also applies to most other hair loss products).

For men and women?

Yes – some people benefit from this drug more so than others, but it’s impossible to know beforehand who will, or will not, gain from using it. However, women generally seem to have a better response to than do most men (it's also the only drug approved by the FDA for the treatment of hair loss in women.

A flaky, itchy scalp is the most common problem. It’s usually caused by the minoxidil flaking off, or dermatitis. If the product you’re using also contains Retin-A, this could also be the cause.

If dermatitis is the reason, you may need to reduce your applications. Instead, you could use a formula that uses glycerol rather than propylene glycol (which is the ingredient usually to blame).

Nizoral shampoo can also help with flaking. But, if the irritation persists, it’s probably best to completely stop using minoxidil and try a different hair loss solution.

When you start using it, there’s a small risk that hair loss will initially increase during the first 2 weeks.

If it gets on other skin (like your forehead or ears) it can also cause hair to grow there too (this is especially true of the stronger 5% solution). Do not apply minoxidil to other parts of your body – your heart and blood vessels may be affected.

If too much of this drug is absorbed by your body, you need to tell your doctor quickly. These are the symptoms -

Racing/irregular heartbeat
Chest pain
Difficulty breathing
Numb/tingling hands, feet, or face
Blurred vision
Fainting
Decrease in libido
Rapid weight gain
Swelling of face, hands, feet and/or lower legs
(this is due to an increase in salt/water retention).

You should also tell your doctor if any of the following applies to you -

If you have any allergy (especially to minoxidil or propylene glycol).

If you’re pregnant, or plan to become so during your treatment – minoxidil in oral form will pass into breast milk and is not recommended during breast-feeding. (Topically applied minoxidil hasn’t been studied in pregnant women).

If you are taking any medicine (prescription or non-prescription) especially anti-hypertensive drugs, diuretics, or vitamins.

If you’re using Vaseline, Corticosteroids or Tretinoin (Retin-A) on your scalp. These things can cause too much minoxidil to be absorbed and so increase your chances of side effects.

Alcohol can make the side effects of Rogaine/minoxidil worse.

Generic Rogaine contains 80% alcohol and is flammable - keep it away from fire as well as eyes, nose, and mouth.

There are other concerns with this drug – make sure you read the label carefully before you start using it.

Cost?

Internet prices vary. These are the approximate costs if you decide to buy minoxidil -

US Price
5% solution 4 month supply (4 X 2oz/60ml) - $33
2% solution 4 month supply (4 X 2oz/60ml) - $33

UK Price
5% solution 4 month supply (4 X 60ml) - £20
2% solution 3 month supply (4 X 60ml) - £19

Money back guarantee?

One or two companies do sell generic minoxidil with a guarantee.

A Top Hair Loss Remedy?

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