Rogaine (Minoxidil)

 

About Rogaine (Minoxidil) as cure for baldness

There is currently no cure for baldness. There are some hair loss products that can help slow down the process but there is no cure for the most common type of hair loss called male pattern baldness.

 

Male-pattern baldness typically occurs in men between 20 and 45 because of high levels of androgens, such as testosterone and dihydroxy-testosterone (DHT).  Androgenic alopecia develops as a gradual reduction in hair follicle size and shorter cycles in the active growth phase.  There are two drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration and are shown to have some positive effect on balding, Finasteride and Minoxidil.  The 5-alpha-reductace inhibitors medical drugs Finasteride and Minoxidil are most widely used as medical hair loss treatments for men. 

 

Minoxidil as Rogaine Hair Growth Topical Drug

Rogaine is another hair growth topical drug used for hair loss treatment that is now available over-the-counter.  Minoxidil is the active ingredient in the prescribed medication Rogaine, and was originally used to treat high blood pressure as a blood vessel dilating agent.  Treatments call for Rogaine to be applied twice a day or any hair re-growth will fall out.  It is necessary to use Rogaine for about 3 to 4 months to see evidence of re-growth.  Any hair re-growth is in the form of a peach-fuzz baby hair which will not necessarily look consistent with the rest of the head of hair.  A generic version of the drug is Headway which is cheaper, making minoxidil more affordable. 

 

Who can benefit with Minoxidil, Rogaine medication?

 

Minoxidil treatment for hair loss works better as a  hair growth drug for those who are younger or whose hair loss is recent, according to Pharmacia and Upjohn companies.  

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What Are Minoxidil Side effects?

 

Known possible side effects of minoxidil include an itchy scalp & maybe sudden weight gain, chest pains, fainting, or rapid heartbeat.

 

When should you seek medical diagnosis?

 

As hair loss symptoms occurs a physician diagnosis is needed to evaluate the  underlying disorder responsible for the hair loss.

 

Did you know... If you have sudden hair loss, you should first check with your family doctor or internist to find your hair loss cause .  A dermatologist will treat skin infections that cause hair loss.  It may be necessary for you to see an endocrinologist for  hormone imbalances, namely androgens.