Recent surveys in Canada show around 26% of individuals have stopped
taking their medication or are not
using it properly. The reasoning?
Patients report side effects, affordability, or noticing improvements
as some of the top reasons. However, not taking medication as prescribed
can have dangerous health consequences. Luckily, minoxidil is an
easy-to-use medication that comes in a topical solution.
You can seamlessly incorporate it into your morning and evening routine
without a hitch. Have you wondered about minoxidil and what it is used
for? At UPGUYS, we have you covered.
In our complete guide, we go over minoxidil, how it works, the cost, and how you can find affordable prices today. Keep reading for more
information!
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Table of contents:
What Is Minoxidil?
Minoxidil is the generic version and active ingredient in Rogaine. What is minoxidil used to treat?
In the 1970s, it was researched as a peripheral vasodilator agent for
hypertension. However, it resulted in severe side effects and was
reserved for specific cases.
In the 1980s, researchers started discovering minoxidil for hair loss
benefits. Minoxidil is still available in tablet form, but topical
treatments are more popular and widely used.
Read more: Minoxidil before and after
How Does Minoxidil Work?
What is the drug minoxidil used for? Minoxidil is a vasodilator or antihypertensive medication
that improves blood flow
to your scalp and hair follicles. It works by relaxing blood vessels and
improving dilation, bringing oxygen and nutrients to cells.
There are three primary hair growth stages:
-
Anagen
-
Catagen
-
Telogen
Hair grows the most during the anagen phase, lasting upwards of six
years. During the catagen phase, hair growth begins slowing. This phase
only lasts between two and three weeks.
Lastly, the telogen phase is also known as the "resting phase." After a
few months, hair stops growing
and falls out. This phase is critical regarding hair loss since stress
and other components can shift more hairs from the catagen to the
telogen phase.
While minoxidil's mechanism of action with hair follicles is a bit
vague, experts believe it reacts to hair follicles in the telogen stage.
It may seem counterintuitive, but minoxidil shortens the telogen phase
of hair growth. Instead, more hairs enter the anagen or "growth"
phase.
With shorter telogen phases
and longer anagen phases, hair has an opportunity to grow and mature
more fully before falling out.
Read more: How To Use Minoxidil
What Is Minoxidil Taken For?
What is minoxidil used for? Most patients utilize minoxidil when they
have problems with constricted blood vessels.
Topical treatments are commonly used on the scalp to help stimulate
improved blood flow to your hair follicles. Poor scalp circulation is
caused by:
-
Age
-
Genetics
-
Hormones
-
Shrinking hair follicles
-
Stress
While it may seem strange to take medications that improve blood flow
to the scalp, it is a common technique used in other products, such as low-level laser therapy. Although, instead of paying for expensive procedures not covered by
insurance, topical solutions are administered in your home for low
monthly costs.
Other treatments that stimulate blood flow can also cause unwanted side effects
and may not be available near you.
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Is Minoxidil Effective?
Have you wondered "how minoxidil works for hair loss?" Hair grows
at 0.35 mm/day, while your body sheds nearly 100 strands of hair around
the clock.
Blood vessels that contribute to hair growth start in the dermal layers
of your skin. These deeper blood vessels provide nourishment and help
with waste elimination. Adequate blood supply is critical for full
maturity and hair follicle maintenance.
Medications like minoxidil that help with scalp blood supply play a
crucial role in the entire process. Patients who do not have sufficient
blood flow to these regions could benefit from minoxidil or
Rogaine.
What Minoxidil Dosage Works Best?
Minoxidil comes in a topical solution or foam format, with 2% and 5%
solutions the most common. As you can imagine, 5% solutions could offer
better (and faster) results. But stronger medication isn't always
necessary.
If you don't start seeing results with a lower dosage
after four months, talk to your doctor about increasing. Typically, you
will administer minoxidil onto the affected area twice daily. Usually,
instructions indicate using only one millimetre, but follow up with your
physician before starting.
Minoxidil Hair Loss Costs
On average, minoxidil will cost less than Rogaine. Generic medications
are cheaper because it costs less to manufacture, and there is greater
market competition. Rogaine costs
upward of $40 or more per month.
You could end up spending hundreds of dollars per year on this
medication. Typically, insurance will not cover these treatments.
Generic Rogaine is fairly similar in price, and it often depends on your
prescription strength or dosage.
How To Store Minoxidil
Like most medications, you should avoid exposing minoxidil to extreme
temperatures. You should store minoxidil in a room temperature drawer or
cabinet. Avoid storing it directly in your bathroom since it accumulates
moisture.
Alternative to Minoxidil for Hair Loss
You might also be interested to know more about other minoxidil
alternatives for hair loss.
Finasteride
is the next most popular medication, but it falls under a different
medication classification than minoxidil.
Finasteride is the active ingredient and generic version of Proscar
and Propecia. Finasteride also has different uses, including managing
symptoms in people who have difficulty urinating. It falls under the
drug classification: 5-alpha reductase inhibitors.
It acts on the gonads and adrenal glands that produce androgens. From
this point and several processes, testosterone and dihydrotestosterone
(DHT) are formed. However, there is one distinguishing point
here.
Read more: Minoxidil Warnings & Precautions
DHT is formed through several instances and enzymes, including 5-alpha reductase. Compared to testosterone, it can limit prostate and hair growth. At
its core, 5-alpha reductase inhibitors block this enzyme and reduce DHT
levels.
It comes in an oral tablet form. Since it is a different class of drugs
than minoxidil, you can ask your doctor about it if you do not see the
results you would like.
However, there are some side effects to be aware of when taking
finasteride. One of the most common ones is orthostatic hypotension or a
drop in blood pressure.
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Minoxidil for Men's Hair Loss FAQs
Minoxidil is not a one-size-fits-all solution, and it may not work for
everyone. Rather than searching the internet for your most pressing
questions, we have you covered. Here are four common FAQs regarding
minoxidil.
Finding the Best Results Through Minoxidil
Have you wondered, "does minoxidil work?" Hopefully, you have a better
understanding of minoxidil, how it works, and whether it is something
you may benefit from.
Luckily, at UPGUYS, we have streamlined the process of consulting with
a physician and prescription ordering. Are you ready to get
started?
1- Is Minoxidil Good for Hair Loss?
Studies found that patient satisfaction after using minoxidil or
Rogaine was around 92 percent. These results were after one year
of using the medication, so it is important to remain vigilant
in your prescription refills! Most patients started seeing
results within four to six months.
2- Will You Lose More Hair Initially?
In one word: yes. But don't worry - this is entirely normal!
Since minoxidil shortens the last phase of hair growth, it is
expected that you will lose more hairs initially.
After a few weeks to a few months, hair shedding subsides, and
new hair follicles have room to mature and grow. Minoxidil is
not a short-term solution, and you must remain consistent in
your topical administrations before you start seeing results.
3- Can You Drink Alcohol While Taking Minoxidil?
There are no current drug interactions between
minoxidil and alcohol. However, alcohol can have a dehydrating effect, limiting hair
growth and maintenance. If you start noticing scalp irritation
or dryness, ask your doctor about drinking alcohol in moderation
and its risks.
Alcohol with topical minoxidil may have fewer noticeable side
effects or reactions than combining oral minoxidil and alcohol,
such as a drop in blood pressure. Reactions may vary between
patients, and it is important to note any adverse complaints or
allergic reactions immediately.
