If you have landed here, I bet you have heard the words Minoxidil or its brand name Rogaine several times.
Maybe from your friends, colleagues, or a family member; it doesn’t matter. Everyone is talking about Minoxidil’s magical effects for hair loss, and how it will surprise you in short periods.
Still, everyone is talking about how bad things would turn out when you quit Minoxidil suddenly, and things could be worse.
So, who is right? What is Minoxidil? Is it the real magic for male pattern baldness? Is it suitable for everyone?
We will uncover the answers to all these questions and more while we explore Minoxidil and its effect on hair loss.
What is Minoxidil?
Minoxidil is an antihypertensive drug that was initially developed for patients with resistant hypertension. Minoxidil is a vasodilator that acts by dilatation of blood vessels, resulting in decreased blood pressure. During its therapeutic use, an unexpected adverse effect was observed: hair regrowth was promoted in patients on Minoxidil. This event gained a lot of attention within the scientific community, leading to extensive research and clinical investigations. And eventually, in August 1988, Minoxidil received FDA approval as the first hair regrowth promoting drug!
Minoxidil fight against hair loss
95% of male hair loss is due to androgenetic alopecia known as Male Pattern Baldness. Although the mechanism is not well understood, Minoxidil (Rogaine) is effective in male pattern baldness by expanding the hair follicle nourishing blood vessels which results in increased blood flow, oxygen, and nutrients reaching the follicle. This action returns the follicle to its normal health and hair growth cycle.
Consistency is a must in Minoxidil therapy, and sudden stoppage without medical consultation can lead to unwanted effects.
Recommended Dosage of Minoxidil
Rogaine or topical Minoxidil is sold under two concentrations: 2% Minoxidil for female baldness & 5% Minoxidil for male baldness.
Rogaine is available for over-the-counter use in some countries as Turkey and here is the correct way to use as an OTC medication:
- Please follow all the instructions on the package and consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before using Rogaine
- Apply 1 ml of 2% or 5% Rogaine foam to the affected area twice daily and rub for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Do not exceed 2 ml per day without medical supervision
- Do not apply the foam to other parts of the body
- Rogaine foam shouldn’t be applied to inflamed or injured parts.
- You will notice the results within 3 to 6 months of Minoxidil therapy, so, be sure that you adhere to the correct therapy duration.
Oral minoxidil could be used in small doses (0.25 to 5 mg daily) for androgenetic alopecia under medical supervision.
Does Minoxidil Have Any Side Effects
In the future, we may have drugs with no side effects, but until now all drugs have side effects and Minoxidil is not an exception, and here is a list of most common Minoxidil side effects:
- Irritation, itching and redness of the affected part especially if the skin was broken or sensitive.
- Unwanted hair growth in the face or body, so it is crucial to wash your hands well after applying the foam.
- Sensitivity to the medication or one of its components.
There are less common side effects that could happen with higher doses if a large amount of medication is absorbed, such as: Rapid heartbeats, dizziness, allergic dermatitis, weight gain or bloating.
Should You Apply Minoxidil Before or After a Hair Transplant?
Minoxidil can be applied both before and after a hair transplant, but the use and purpose differ depending on the phase of treatment and your doctor’s recommendation.
Role of Minoxidil in Pre-Transplant Treatment
Using Minoxidil prior to a transplant can help by:
- Stabilizing existing hair: It strengthens surrounding hair and slows down further loss.
- Preparing the scalp: Increased blood supply can maximize scalp and hair follicle health.
- Minimizing shock loss: By fortifying native hair, Minoxidil can reduce the shedding of existing hairs after the transplant (shock loss).
It should, nevertheless, always be used under physician guidance, since some clinics will recommend discontinuation before surgery to reduce scalp sensitivity.
Benefits of Using Minoxidil After a Hair Transplant
After transplant, Minoxidil can:
- Enhance graft survival by promoting blood supply.
- Expedite hair regrowth in both transplanted and natural follicles.
- Reduce shock loss and help the scalp enter a healthy growth phase.
- Most doctors suggest waiting 2 to 4 weeks after surgery to continue Minoxidil to avoid irritation or interference with healing.
When should you continue Minoxidil After a Hair Transplant?
Typically, Minoxidil is resumed 2 to 4 weeks after the surgery, once the scalp is healed. In some cases, doctors will advise waiting even longer, especially if the presence of redness, scabbing, or tenderness.
Why Turkey for Minoxidil Hair Loss Treatment?
Turkey has been found to be a hub of excellence for hair transplant with well-trained professionals, latest clinics, and affordable rates. Most of the hair transplant centers in Turkey also use Minoxidil in pre- and post-operative care and offer extremely cheap packages for complete hair loss prevention treatment procedures.
Cost of Minoxidil Hair Loss Treatment in Turkey
Minoxidil is available over the counter in Turkey and is very cheap relative to the rest of the West. It usually costs $10 to $25 per month, once more subject to the dosage as well as the brand used. Most of the clinics also provide Minoxidil as a part of their post-transplant package without any cost.
Of course, patience is pretty important for a healthy process of the treatment. Listening to your doctor, following the instructions, and being careful are quite considerable. Still, never forget that we will be supporting you all this time!
References
Gupta, A. K., & Charrette, A. (2015). Topical minoxidil: systematic review and meta-analysis of its efficacy in androgenetic alopecia. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 29(4).
Rossi, A., Cantisani, C., Melis, L., & Carlesimo, M. (2012). Minoxidil use in dermatology, side effects and recent patents. Recent Patents on Inflammation & Allergy Drug Discovery, 6(2).
No. Minoxidil is classified as Category C, which means it can be unsafe either for the mother or the unborn baby. Avoid use during pregnancy unless a physician says otherwise. In fact, precaution must be used with any drug use when pregnant.
No. Do not exceed the recommended over-the-counter dosage of Minoxidil. If you have been applying Minoxidil once daily for 6 months and notice no improvement, consult a dermatologist for evaluation and consideration of alternative treatment.
Minoxidil is most effective on balding spots. It is less effective in growing hair in areas that have been totally bald for a long time.