Minoxidil works as a vasodilator, meaning that it expands blood vessels to encourage greater blood flow to the area on which it’s applied. Given that male pattern baldness (or MPB) is caused by the miniaturisation (the shrinkage and weakening) of hair follicles on your scalp, this process is handy. With more blood comes more nutrients and oxygen, which encourages the health of those follicles and ultimately reverses the shrinkage. Ustuner ET. Cause of androgenic alopecia: crux of the matter. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2013;1(7):e64. Published 2013 Nov 7. doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000000005 Chaiyana W, Punyoyai C, Somwongin S, et al. Inhibition of 5α-Reductase, IL-6 Secretion, and Oxidation Process of Equisetum debile Roxb. ex Vaucher Extract as Functional Food and Nutraceuticals Ingredients. Nutrients. 2017;9(10):1105. Published 2017 Oct 10. doi:10.3390/nu9101105 Apply a dose of 1ml, with one of the enclosed applicators, to the affected area twice daily (with a12-hour interval in between). It’s also important to remember that this type of hair loss treatment will not work for everyone. Regaine Extra Strength states in its patient information leaflet that it should be used by men aged 18-65, and that it is most likely to be effective in people who fall into the following categories:

Increased systemic absorption of minoxidil may potentially occur if higher-than-recommended doses of Regaine for Men Extra Strength Scalp Solution 5% w/v Cutaneous Solution are applied to larger surface areas of the body or areas other than the scalp. Studies in women suggest that this medication poses minimal risk to the infant when used during breastfeeding. Drug Interactions If you are suffering from very severe hair loss then it is unlikely that Minoxidil will be a viable treatment. You should talk to your GP about your options. Does minoxidil work for beards?Applying sprays, gels, wax or mousse to your hair if the minoxidil solution you have applied is still wet If this continues, stop using minoxidil. If affected, do not drive and do not use tools or machines until you feel better Apply the amount prescribed to the area of the scalp being treated, beginning in the center of the area. Follow your doctor's instructions on how to apply the solution, using the applicator provided. Avoid the temptation to use Minoxidil more often than this. It will not improve or speed up results — but it may increase the chances of experiencing side effects. She says there is truly only one ingredient approved by the FDA to help regrow hair: minoxidil. “It was initially created to support patients with hypertension and later found to help regrow hair,” she says. “It’s reported to push the hair from the resting phase to the growing stage. However, there is no defined reason for how this happens.” She also mentions that there may be some adverse side effects when using a Minoxidil product, so be sure to do your research before trying it for yourself. Of course, there are plenty of products on the market that can improve hair health, though they don’t boast growth benefits. If you're looking to try a product that contains Minoxidil for hair growth, we recommend the Women's Rogaine 5% Minoxidil Foam and the Nioxin Hair Regrowth Treatment For Women.

Peterson Pierre, MD is a board-certified dermatologist specializing in both medical and cosmetic dermatology. Minoxidil was discovered by accident during trials for a high blood-pressure treatment, when it showed signs of being able to regrow hair. Pump spray applicator: this is useful for large areas. Aim the pump at the centre of the bald area, press once and spread with fingertips over the entire bald area. Repeat for a total of 6 times to apply a dose of 1 ml. Avoid breathing spray mist.

Finasteride is a tablet taken every day to combat male pattern baldness, and is sometimes branded in the UK as Propecia. However it must not be taken by women. In one study, Propecia was shown to be effective at halting hair loss and promoting regrowth in 90% of men who used it. Regaine for Men Extra Strength Scalp Solution 5% w/v Cutaneous Solution is for external use only. Do not apply to areas of the body other than the scalp

Gaunitz adds that inflammatory hair loss—the kind caused by stress, medications, and lifestyle factors—is the most challenging to deal with because everyone is different. “This type of hair loss can be patchy and unpredictable and be associated with itching and burning,” he says. Not recommended. The safety and effectiveness of Regaine for Men Extra Strength Scalp Solution 5% w/v Cutaneous Solution in children and adolescents below the age of 18 years or adults over 65 years has not been established. Minoxidil, effective for the treatment of hair loss in 60% of men, needs to be applied twice a day. And if it’s your hair loss treatment of choice, there’s probably a question you’re hoping to have answered: How to apply the Minoxidil spray? The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine. Storage conditions: Keep container tightly closed. Keep out of sight and reach of children. Store below 25°C.Get hair aware & familiarise yourself with the side effects of taking minoxidil as a treatment for male & female pattern baldness For some men, this normal ageing process can be distressing, particularly if it is excessive or occurs early in life. Treatment with a minoxidil preparation rubbed into the scalp may help prevent further hair loss in some men. It is not clear how it works and benefit from the treatment is only maintained for as long as the preparation is used. Any other skin problems, an irritation, or a sunburn on the scalp—These conditions may cause too much topical minoxidil to be absorbed into the body and may increase the chance of side effects. Minoxidil is not a medication that works overnight. It will take time to encourage your hair follicles to return to health. Keep using this medicine as directed, even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medicine for the rest of your life.

William Gaunitz, a trichologist, explains that genetic hair loss in both men and women is connected to a sensitivity to DHT and revolves around certain levels of androgens connected to hair follicle receptors. “This type of hair loss only affects the top of the scalp,” he says. Before using Regaine for Men Extra Strength Scalp Solution 5% w/v Cutaneous Solution, the user should determine that the scalp is normal and healthy. Topical minoxidil should not be applied to inflamed, infected, irritated or painful scalp skin (see section 4.3). Carson CF, Hammer KA, Riley TV. Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea Tree) oil: a review of antimicrobial and other medicinal properties. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2006;19(1):50-62. doi:10.1128/CMR.19.1.50-62.2006 Topical minoxidil is only indicated for the treatment of alopecia androgenetica and should not be used in other types of hair loss for example when there is no family history of hair loss, hair loss is sudden and/or patchy, hair loss is due to childbirth, or the reason for hair loss is unknown. Minoxidil is a medicine that's used to help prevent further hair loss and help hair regrowth in people with male and female pattern baldness (androgenic alopecia). This is the most common type of progressive hair loss, affecting about half of men over 50.

Before Using

You can buy minoxidil from your pharmacy without a prescription. Minoxidil treatment for hereditary hair loss is not available on the NHS, so your GP may only be able to prescribe it for you privately. Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing. But how to use Minoxidil? It’s a legitimate question, and, in this article, we’ll provide the answer. Minoxidil is one of the most popular treatments for hair loss in men. Encouraging regrowth in over 60% of those who use it — and accompanied by a very low risk of side effects — Minoxidil is recognised to be both effective and safe. Minoxidil is designed to treat hair loss that runs in your family. It's not intended to treat hair loss due to other causes, such as stress, illness, iron deficiency or treatments for cancer. It's recommended that you see your GP or pharmacist before starting treatment with minoxidil, to make sure your hair loss is due to male or female pattern baldness rather than any other cause.