Does Minoxidil Work and Alternatives

Does Minoxidil Work? Minoxidil (the active ingredients of many hair loss products such as Rogaine ) is one of the widely used and recommended treatments against hair loss. But does Minoxodil work? And how can you use it to maximize its effects? 

If you suffer from DHT-caused hair loss, which is the most common form, in both men and women, you have probably been considering the use of Minoxidil (at times available under the brand name Rogaine, though these days there are tons of products which contain minoxidil – always check the active ingredients of any product). But it’s not cheap and you have to use it forever. So, does it actually work? 

First of all, how does Minoxidil work against hair loss?

It dilates the capillary veins in a way that more blood, thus more nutrients, flow around the hair bulb. As you keep using Minoxidil twice a day on your scalp, you should see some improvement in the thickness of your hair and in the regrowth of new hair. It usually takes from 3 to 6 months before you see any significant results. Not every person sees significant results. In general, it works best if used in conjunction with other treatments

But does Minoxidil work, really? 

As I said above, it can work. No other topical treatment increases blood flow as much as Minoxidil, especially if you use the 5% solution rather than the lower ones. However, there are some side-effects and you need to decide if the side effects are worth the modest improvement in your hair loss. Not every person sees significant results. In general, it works best if used in conjunction with other treatments; if you are a man, you should use it with Propecia or Finasteride (which is a DHT-inhibitor); if you are a woman, you should use Minoxidil in conjunction with topical progesterone even homeopathic oestrogen (for women).

Side effects in our experience: Minoxidil, even if taken topically, may increase your heart beat and it certainly should not be used if you have a heart condition without the approval of your cardiologist. It may make you feel as if you had just drunk many coffees and it can be very uncomfortable. Then, if you are a woman, the other inevitable side-effects is an increase in facial hair and body hair, because unfortunately some of it will be carried through your whole blood system and it will affect other areas of the skin, no matter what your trichologist may tell you.  We had to balance this effect with topical Progesterone, and it became an expensive method overall.

Some other topical solutions (which are also effective against hair loss) do not enter your body anyway near as well as Minoxidil does; this because Minoxidil dilates your capillary veins on your scalp, to a point which makes them carry the compound all the way through your system.

If you think that the above treatments are not right for you because of their side-effects or your stance on traditional medicine, you will still have a plethora of options among natural and homeopathic treatments for all types of hair loss in men and women. Detailed information on these treatments is on THIS PAGE if you are a man and THIS PAGE if you are a woman.