Is Minoxidil effective in treatment of hair loss?

What is ‘Androgenic Alopecia’ [AGA]?

  • Androgenic alopecia is the most common type of hair loss, prevalent in men and women with increasing age.

  • It begins with bitemporal receding of the hairline in men and involves the vertex area and is seen in the frontal scalp in women.

  • It is an autosomal dominant condition.

  • It occurs due to alterations in hair cycle reduced anagen phase and increased telogen phase

TREATMENT OPTIONS

  • There are a variety of treatment options available and recommended according to efficacy, side effect profiles, ease of use, and cost.

  • Treatment options available for AGA include minoxidil, finasteride, low-level light therapy, hormonal treatments, nutraceuticals, PRP, hair transplants, etc.

Let’s know about ‘Minoxidil’ a topical therapy for AGA

MINOXIDIL

  • Discovery :originally was used for vascular hypertension, with side effect of hypertrichosis [increased hair growth]

  • Use :it helps with mild to moderate hair loss

  • helps regrow hair at vertex and frontal regions of scalp

  • Availability:It is available in different concentrations 2%, 5%, and 6-7% in solution and foam types.

  • 2% is usually considered safer than 5%

  • To get results, it should be applied once or twice daily

  • significant hair growth can be seen in 4-8 months

  • side effects of minoxidil contact dermatitis, pruritus, facial hypertrichosis

Hair loss is a growing concern among men and women that affects self-confidence and causes emotional distress.

Today, various treatment options are available to promote hair regrowth that can be used based on your ease and affordability.

What do you think is the best treatment for hair loss?

MBH/AB

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I think minoxidil is effective for the hair treatment especially in hair growth compared to other treatment

Hi Chanisha,

I remember, someone has already written about this topic - Minoxidil for hair loss treatment, no doubt, it is a good topic indeed.

Yes, sir, it was my attempt to summarize one of the research articles. Also, I chose this topic as this condition is really common today creating emotional distress in people

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Yes, it is comparatively safe and reliable option for hair growth.

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True, Minoxidil was used as an antihypertensive before but it resulted in hirsutism so it is no more used for managing high blood pressure. If used topically it increases blood flow to the hair follicles I guess but I’m a little doubtful as the effects might be temporary. Not too sure if I’m correct.

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Like drug, this too has withdrawal symptoms, hair growth stops after discontiuing its use.