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Minoxidil baldness. Minoxidil for Hair Loss: Mechanism, Efficacy, and Application Methods

by alexxlab

How does minoxidil work for hair growth. What are the different formulations of minoxidil available. How effective is minoxidil in treating androgenetic alopecia. What are the potential side effects of using minoxidil. How long does it take to see results from minoxidil treatment. Can minoxidil be used for other types of hair loss besides androgenetic alopecia. What factors can affect the efficacy of minoxidil treatment.

The Science Behind Minoxidil’s Hair Growth Properties

Minoxidil, originally developed as an antihypertensive medication, has become a widely used treatment for hair loss, particularly androgenetic alopecia. Its mechanism of action in promoting hair growth is complex and multifaceted.

One of the primary ways minoxidil affects hair follicles is through its interaction with potassium channels. Research by Shorter et al. (2008) revealed that human hair follicles contain two forms of ATP-sensitive potassium channels, but only one is responsive to minoxidil. This interaction is believed to play a crucial role in stimulating hair growth.

Additionally, minoxidil has been shown to influence various cellular processes that contribute to hair growth:

  • Stimulation of dermal papilla cells
  • Increase in blood flow to hair follicles
  • Prolongation of the anagen (growth) phase of hair follicles
  • Promotion of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression

The upregulation of VEGF by minoxidil is particularly noteworthy. Lachgar et al. (1998) demonstrated that minoxidil increases VEGF expression in human hair dermal papilla cells. This is significant because VEGF plays a crucial role in hair growth and follicle size regulation, as shown by Yano et al. (2001).

Formulations and Application Methods of Minoxidil

Minoxidil is available in various formulations, with the most common being topical solutions and foams. Each formulation has its unique characteristics and potential benefits:

Topical Solution

The traditional liquid formulation of minoxidil has been widely used and studied. It typically contains ethanol and propylene glycol as cosolvents, which help in the deposition of minoxidil into the skin (Tata et al., 1994).

Foam Formulation

Minoxidil foam was introduced as an alternative to the liquid formulation. Gogtay and Panda (2009) describe it as a new development in minoxidil application. The foam formulation may offer certain advantages:

  • Easier application
  • Reduced irritation for some users
  • Faster drying time

Purnak et al. (2011) compared the liquid and foam formulations, noting that each may have its own benefits depending on individual user preferences and scalp conditions.

Efficacy of Minoxidil in Treating Androgenetic Alopecia

Numerous studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of minoxidil in treating androgenetic alopecia, commonly known as male or female pattern baldness. How successful is minoxidil in promoting hair growth? Clinical trials have shown promising results:

Price et al. (1999) conducted a study comparing 5% and 2% topical minoxidil solutions against a placebo. They found significant increases in hair weight and hair count in men using minoxidil, with the 5% solution showing superior results.

Similarly, Olsen et al. (2002) performed a randomized clinical trial comparing 5% topical minoxidil, 2% topical minoxidil, and a placebo in men with androgenetic alopecia. Their findings indicated that the 5% solution was significantly more effective than both the 2% solution and the placebo in increasing hair count and improving patients’ assessment of hair growth.

Understanding Minoxidil’s Effect on Hair Follicles

To fully appreciate how minoxidil promotes hair growth, it’s essential to understand its effects on hair follicles at the cellular and tissue levels. What changes occur in hair follicles when treated with minoxidil?

Histological Changes

Abell (1988) and Headington & Novak (1984) conducted histologic studies on male pattern baldness treated with topical minoxidil. Their findings revealed several key changes in the hair follicles:

  • Increase in the size of hair follicles
  • Shift from vellus to terminal hair production
  • Enhanced mitotic activity in the hair bulb

Vascular Changes

Minoxidil also affects the blood supply to hair follicles. Sakita et al. (1999) observed that topical minoxidil application led to increased fenestration in the perifollicular capillary wall. This change in the vasculature surrounding hair follicles likely contributes to improved nutrient supply and overall follicular health.

Factors Influencing Minoxidil’s Effectiveness

While minoxidil has shown significant efficacy in treating hair loss, various factors can influence its effectiveness. What elements can impact the success of minoxidil treatment?

Genetic Factors

Individual genetic makeup plays a crucial role in determining the response to minoxidil. Some individuals may be more responsive to the treatment due to their genetic predisposition.

Age and Duration of Hair Loss

Generally, younger individuals and those with more recent onset of hair loss tend to respond better to minoxidil treatment.

Concurrent Medications

Certain medications may interact with minoxidil, affecting its efficacy. For instance, Goren et al. (2018) found that low-dose daily aspirin can reduce the effectiveness of topical minoxidil in androgenetic alopecia patients.

Adherence to Treatment

Consistent and long-term use of minoxidil is crucial for maintaining its benefits. Interruptions in treatment can lead to reversal of hair growth.

Potential Side Effects and Precautions

While minoxidil is generally well-tolerated, it’s important to be aware of potential side effects and take necessary precautions. What are the common side effects associated with minoxidil use?

  • Scalp irritation
  • Dryness or flaking of the scalp
  • Increased hair shedding in the initial weeks of treatment
  • Unwanted hair growth in adjacent areas

In rare cases, more serious side effects may occur, such as:

  • Rapid heartbeat
  • Chest pain
  • Dizziness or fainting
  • Sudden unexplained weight gain

It’s crucial to consult a healthcare professional before starting minoxidil treatment, especially for individuals with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions or those taking other medications.

Beyond Androgenetic Alopecia: Other Applications of Minoxidil

While minoxidil is primarily known for its use in treating androgenetic alopecia, research has explored its potential in addressing other types of hair loss. Can minoxidil be effective for conditions other than male and female pattern baldness?

Alopecia Areata

Some studies have shown promising results in using minoxidil for alopecia areata, an autoimmune condition causing patchy hair loss. However, the efficacy can vary significantly between individuals.

Telogen Effluvium

Minoxidil may help in cases of telogen effluvium, a temporary form of hair loss often triggered by stress, illness, or hormonal changes. It can potentially accelerate hair regrowth as the underlying cause is addressed.

Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia

Research is ongoing to evaluate the potential of minoxidil in mitigating hair loss associated with chemotherapy treatments. While not a primary treatment, it may offer supportive benefits in some cases.

It’s important to note that while minoxidil shows promise in these areas, its use for conditions other than androgenetic alopecia may be off-label and should be discussed with a healthcare provider.

The Future of Minoxidil Research and Development

As our understanding of hair growth mechanisms and the action of minoxidil deepens, new avenues for research and development are emerging. What potential advancements can we expect in minoxidil-based treatments?

Enhanced Formulations

Researchers are exploring new delivery systems and formulations to improve minoxidil’s efficacy and reduce side effects. This includes nanoemulsion-based formulations and combinations with other active ingredients.

Personalized Treatment Approaches

Advances in genetic testing may lead to more personalized minoxidil treatment protocols, tailoring dosages and formulations to individual genetic profiles for optimal results.

Combination Therapies

Studies are investigating the synergistic effects of combining minoxidil with other hair growth treatments, such as finasteride or low-level laser therapy, to enhance overall efficacy.

Novel Applications

Research is ongoing to explore minoxidil’s potential in treating other forms of hair loss and even promoting hair growth in areas traditionally considered challenging, such as eyebrows or beards.

As research progresses, we may see significant advancements in how minoxidil is used and its overall effectiveness in treating various forms of hair loss. The future of minoxidil in hair restoration looks promising, with potential for more targeted, efficient, and personalized treatments.

In conclusion, minoxidil remains a cornerstone in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia and shows potential in addressing other forms of hair loss. Its complex mechanism of action, involving potassium channels, vascular changes, and growth factor stimulation, underscores its unique position in hair restoration therapies. As research continues to unravel the intricacies of hair growth biology and pharmacology, we can anticipate further refinements and innovations in minoxidil-based treatments, offering hope to millions affected by hair loss worldwide.

Minoxidil and its use in hair disorders: a review

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Minoxidil Topical: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing

Uses

Minoxidil solution and foam are used to help hair growth in the treatment of male pattern baldness. It is not used for baldness at the front of the scalp or receding hairline in men. The foam and 2 percent minoxidil solution is also used to help hair growth in women with thinning hair.Minoxidil belongs to a class of drugs known as vasodilators. It is not known how minoxidil causes hair growth. This medication is not used for sudden/patchy hair loss, unexplained hair loss (for example, if you have no family history of hair loss), or hair loss after giving birth.Do not use this product if you are 18 years old or younger.

How to use Minoxidil Solution, Non-

Read and follow all directions on the product package before using this product. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Clean and dry the scalp area before applying the medication. You may apply this product to damp hair. To use the solution, fill the applicator with 1 milliliter of medication (to the 1 milliliter line), or use 20 drops. Part your hair in the area of thinning and apply the solution evenly to the affected area of the scalp. Gently rub in. Allow the solution to dry completely before using other styling products (such as gels, mousse) or before going to bed.

To use the foam, rinse your hands in cold water and dry well. Apply about 1/2 capful of foam to the scalp and rub in gently. Allow the foam to dry completely before styling or going to bed.

If scalp irritation is a problem, you may need to avoid using minoxidil on the same days that you have your hair colored or chemically treated (for example, permed).

Do not use on other parts of the body unless directed by your doctor. Do not use on skin that is red, painful, irritated, scraped, cut, or infected. Wash hands thoroughly after application. Avoid getting the medication in your eyes. If this occurs, rinse your eyes with large amounts of cool water.

Do not use this medication more often, apply more of it than as directed, or apply it to an irritated or sunburned scalp. Doing so can cause the drug to be absorbed into your body and result in serious side effects. This product may contain alcohol and can be irritating and drying to the scalp. Ask your doctor or pharmacist how to use this product safely.

It takes time for hair to regrow. Most people need to use this medication regularly for 4 months to see benefit. This medication must be used continuously to maintain hair growth. If your condition does not improve or worsens after using this medication for 4 to 6 months, or if you think you may have a serious medical problem, tell your doctor.

Side Effects

Burning, stinging, or redness at the application site may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, remember that your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Rarely, this medication can be absorbed through the skin and cause side effects. Stop using this medication and tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: unwanted facial/body hair, dizziness, fast/irregular heartbeat, fainting, chest pain, swelling of hands/feet, unusual weight gain, tiredness, difficulty breathing especially when lying down.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US – Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

In Canada – Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Precautions

Before using minoxidil, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

If you have any of the following health problems, consult your doctor or pharmacist before using this product: diseases of the scalp (such as eczema, infection, cuts), heart problems (such as chest pain, heart attack, heart failure), kidney disease, liver disease.

During pregnancy, this product should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Interactions

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor’s approval.

Some products that may interact with this drug include: drugs for high blood pressure (such as guanethidine), drugs that interact with alcohol (such as disulfiram, metronidazole).

Does Minoxidil Solution, Non- interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose

This medicine may be harmful if swallowed. If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: dizziness, drowsiness, fainting, flushing.

Keep all medical and lab appointments.

If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose. Use your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Store at room temperature away from heat. This product is flammable. Keep it away from fire, and avoid open flame after treatment until the medication has completely dried. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.

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Selected from data included with permission and copyrighted by First Databank, Inc. This copyrighted material has been downloaded from a licensed data provider and is not for distribution, except as may be authorized by the applicable terms of use.

CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.

Minoxidil for hair, the benefits and harms of minoxidil

Androgenetic alopecia most often develops in the stronger sex and leads to male pattern hair loss. This is due to the peculiarities of the hormonal background, in which the endocrine system produces an excessive amount of the male sex hormone – dihydrotesterone, which negatively affects the quality of the hair, causing hair loss, thinning and growth retardation.

It is worth noting that Minoxidil is mainly suitable for men. For the fair sex, androgenic baldness is very rare, in exceptional cases. And as an option, you can use 2% Minoxedil. A big plus of the drug is the absence of smell.

Minoxidil FAQ:

Ingredients Minoxidil

Supplied as a spray or foam. Active ingredient concentration: 2–15%. The drug is suitable for any form of hair, even for the most complex hairstyles.

The most popular minoxidil brands on the market are Rogaine and Alerana.

Rogaine consists of minoxidil, purified water and a combination of citric and lactic acids. Other components include stearic alcohol and glycerol. Alerana, in addition to the usual minoxidil and purified water, contains ethyl alcohol and propylene glycol.

Analogues

There are situations when there is an allergic reaction to one of the components of the drug. Then, for the treatment of hair loss, the doctor may prescribe other drugs with a similar effect. Active analogues of minoxidil are preparations based on nanoxidil (Spectral DNS), aminexil (Vichy Dercos) and stemoxidine (Vichy Dercos Neogens).

To enhance the effect, in addition to taking medications, the doctor may recommend taking vitamins and microelements, the composition of which is selected specifically for hair, and not for general action. Also a good recommendation is mesotherapy and PRP/Price

The cost of the drug directly depends on the percentage of minoxidil in its composition. The most popular solutions are those containing 2% and 15% minoxidil. Accordingly, the first option will cost $13–15, while a five percent solution will cost $18–50.

The drug belongs to the conditional category “cost above average”, and due to the active appreciation of the dollar against the Russian ruble in recent days, its purchase may feel even more expensive. However, the price of the drug is fully justified, since minoxidil is one of the most effective substances for the treatment of hair loss, regardless of whether it is caused by a genetic predisposition or is one of the post-covid syndromes.

Instructions for use

It is best not to use Minoxidil as soon as a problem of hair loss is discovered, but to consult a trichologist. And especially not to use every day. Alcohol-containing solution often leads to flaking of the scalp. The maximum safe frequency is every other day for the night!

The daily dose of the drug – 1 ml of solution – is equal to seven injections on the scalp. In general, it is determined by the attending physician, but these are standard values. If the drug is supplied in the form of a foam, then 1 ml of the solution is approximately equal to half the vial cap.

Use of the product is as follows:

  1. First, the scalp is cleaned.
  2. The preparation is then gently rubbed into the skin.
  3. Leave on for several hours, the main thing is not to wash it off.

Regular use of the drug is implied, short-term use will not give the desired effect.

Contraindications
  • pregnancy;
  • breast-feeding;
  • allergic to minoxidil and other components of the drug;
  • skin lesions of the head;
  • diseases of the cardiovascular system, liver, kidneys;
  • Minoxidil is likely to be incompatible with other hair loss medications, we strongly recommend that you consult your doctor about additional contraindications.
Side effects

Rare but should be known in advance:

  • dizziness;
  • burning eyes;
  • allergy in the form of itching and rash;
  • swelling of the tongue, lips and throat;
  • lowering blood pressure;
  • palpitations; dyspnea.
Why is Minoxidil dangerous?

The appearance of side effects is possible both on the part of the hair and the body as a whole. Minoxidil is a crystalline powder that is dissolved in alcohol, which is quite drying to the skin and can cause seborrhea, dryness, tightness, and flaking. Harm from the use of Minoxidil can also be manifested from the side of the cardiovascular system – such manifestations as dizziness, tachycardia and chest pain are possible. An allergic reaction is also possible.

Action of minoxidil against baldness, against hair loss and for hair growth

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Learn more about how Rogaine

® Foam with Minoxidil 5% works.

Foam Regaine contains a 5% solution of minoxidil 1 , which is considered the first line drug in the treatment of hereditary baldness – androgenetic alopecia 7 . Exactly how minoxidil works when applied topically is not completely known. According to the instructions for medical use of the drug, minoxidil in the foam Regaine ®1 :

  • dilates the blood vessels of the scalp and improves blood flow around the hair follicles;
  • promotes the formation of vascular endothelial growth factor, a substance that is believed to increase the permeability of small vessels, which indicates a high metabolic activity in anagen – the phase of active hair growth.

Rogaine Foam ® , indicated for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia 1 , is clinically proven 2,3,4 . Nine out of ten men 4 and 81.5% of women 5 note that with regular external use of minoxidil, hair loss stops within two months, and new ones appear in place of vellus and previously lost hair 4.5 . The best effect of the drug is noted at the initial stage of the disease and with moderate androgenetic alopecia 1 .

How to use Regaine®

The drug is approved for use from 18 years of age and has contraindications 1 – it is important to consider them. Therefore, before using Regaine ® , read the instructions for its medical use and consult a specialist. How to use Rogaine®? 1

  • Apply Rogaine ® Foam with clean, dry hands to dry scalp, not hair. This can increase the effectiveness of the drug, as it will be easier to reach the hair follicles.
  • Since the foam may dissolve on contact with warm skin, rinse your fingers with cold water and dry them before squeezing it out.
  • Spread the foam evenly over the areas of baldness and use your fingertips to gently rub it into the skin.

Men are recommended to perform the procedure twice a day (morning and evening), women – once a day. If you use the product more often, this will not affect the result of treatment 1 .

Within 4 hours after application of Rogaine ® Do not wash or blow dry your hair. You can comb during treatment as usual. However, before styling, you must wait until the foam is completely dry, and then use styling products 1 .