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Hair losscan be a stressful experience.
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Seems too good to be true, right?
Well, it’s complicated, but the prospect is promising nevertheless.
OK, back to minoxidil.
In other products containing the ingredient you will see minoxidil listed front and center on the product packaging.
The distressing nature of these changes can be heartbreaking to deal with.
In this Story:
Meet the experts:
What is minoxidil?
Its only one of two treatments FDA-approved to regrow hair, followingvarious studieslooking into its effectiveness.
But hair growth wasnt the intentional outcome of minoxidil.
“The medication was actually originally investigated for the treatment of high blood pressure,” Ranella Hirsch says.
Off-label means that its an unapproved use of an approved drug.
How does minoxidil work?
Its notexactlyknown how minoxidil works.
When these phases arent working as they should, it can cause hair loss and thinning.
Since we mention it above, we figured a few words on finasteride would be helpful.
For this reason, its alsorecommended for some trans womenwhen taken in combination with estrogen.
What are the potential benefits of using minoxidil?
Just like with any skin or hair treatment, it takes time to see the benefits.
Consistency is key and you should start seeing results after 90 days.
Unlike other treatments includingplatelet-rich plasma(PRP) therapy andmicroneedling minoxidil is a noninvasive solution to hair loss.
Who is a good candidate for minoxidil?
Topical minoxidil is approved for those aged 18 to 65 experiencing hair thinning and loss.
Its best used for people with androgenetic alopecia and doesnt work effectively withreceding hairlinesor baldness.
Oral minoxidil has stricter requirements when it comes to who can use it, which were getting onto promise!
How do you use minoxidil for hair loss?
Topical minoxidil comes in a foam or liquid solution applied to the scalp.
You should use it as instructed by the brand or by your dermatologist for the best results.
After applying, gently massage the formula into your scalp to see to it the desired area is saturated.
ensure to wash your hands afterwards to avoid any potential irritation.
What is oral minoxidil, and is it safe?
“Its a pill that is taken daily and is used to decrease blood pressure,” explains Marcus.
Unlike topical minoxidil, the oral version is only available via prescription as it has more possible side effects.
In some cases, it can cause increased chest pain and othercardiovascular side effects.
What are the potential risks to using topical minoxidil?
As with all treatments, results arent completely guaranteed so that can be an obvious downside.
Another downside for some people is that it can be bothersome to apply.
It could be time to start loving that slick back look.
Unfortunately, the hair growth effects resulting from minoxidil do gradually decrease when you stop using the ingredient.
Lastly, Hirsch points out that minoxidil has one of the most egregious “pink tax” medications.
Definitely something to keep in mind when shopping and why it can be more cost-effective to visit a dermatologist.
Minoxidil: Pros & Cons
Phew!
There’s alotto take in, we know.
Let’s break it down into potential benefits and complications or risks with the key main takeaways.
