Minoxidil, often sold under the brand Rogaine, is a solution that assists with hair growth and the treatment of male pattern baldness. It typically comes as a foam that is applied to a clean scalp and doesn’t need to be washed out.

Minoxidil is most effective for people under the age of 40 with recent hair loss, but it doesn’t have an effect on a receding hairline and cannot cure baldness. Instead, it works to stimulate the hair follicles to encourage growth. This effectively extends the amount of time that our hair is in the growth stage, resulting in a fuller head of hair. It works by widening the blood vessels in our scalp which improves blood flow. This ensures that our hair gets a healthy supply of nutrients and oxygen which are essential for healthy hair.

Minoxidil has been proven to work for around 60% of men, but it can only work on certain types of hair loss and hair thinning. If one stops using minoxidil, then it will eventually cause the balding process to begin once again and any hair growth will be lost.

What is Minoxidil Prescribed For?

Minoxidil is most typically used to assist in hair growth and to treat male pattern baldness. It can’t be used for existing baldness and cannot regrow hair on bald patches. Instead, it’s used to slow down the effects of baldness and to create a fuller-looking head of hair in those who use it. Minoxidil is typically used by men, but there are some cases where minoxidil may be prescribed to women. Depending on the severity of hair thinning or hair loss, minoxidil can come in various strengths to provide a stronger effect.

How Does Minoxidil Work?

Minoxidil attempts to stimulate the hair follicles on our head. It achieves this by widening the blood vessels in our scalp which helps to improve blood flow. This means that our hair receives more nutrients and oxygen which are essential for healthy hair growth.

Minoxidil can also extend the amount of time that our hair spends in the growth stage. Typically, most hair will fall out after 3 months and the follicles will begin to grow new hairs. Those who experience male pattern baldness or a similar condition may have a shorter growth stage, meaning that hair will fall out sooner which leads to thinning. Minoxidil attempts to extend this growth stage which can lead to healthier hair growth, but it can take months to achieve this effect.

What Are The Side Effects of Minoxidil?

Minoxidil is regarded as being generally safe for long-term use. However, there are a couple of side effects that have affected people in the past. As such, it’s important to remember that all medications can come with side effects depending on how they are used and the person using them.

The most common side effect of minoxidil is a headache. Some people may also experience scalp irritation and others may find their head to be itchy after applying it. Some people have also reported that minoxidil can grow unwanted hair on other parts of the body. Using more minoxidil than the prescribed amount can also cause nausea and vomiting.