Minoxidil
| Best Taken: AM or PM | Caution: Low blood pressure, swelling | Best for: Hair loss in men & women |
| Comments: Useful for hair growth | Mode of action: Prolongs hair cycle | Science Score: *****
|
What is the science behind Minoxidil for hair loss?
The exact mechanism of action for minoxidil for hair loss isn’t actually clear, it’s believed to work by partially enlarging hair follicles and prolonging the anagen cycle or the growth phase of hair. With more follicles in the growth phase, you’ll see more hair coverage on your scalp. This drug was first used to treat high blood pressure, and it was serendipity that some men & women experience increased hair growth on this medication.
Can Minoxidil/Rogaine thicken my hair?
Rogaine in both the 2% & 5% minoxidil formulations can eventually result in thicker, denser hair—but it will take up to 6 to 7 months to achieve. You will have to keep up with the treatment in order to maintain. This solution works best on the vertex & crown areas, less so for the front & temple pattern hair loss.
Who gets the best results from Rogaine / Minoxidil?
Rogaine is applied to the scalp to help grow hair & reduce hair shedding caused by male or female pattern baldness. This is the most common type of hair loss.
This medication works best in people with hair loss at the vertex of the scalp or for women with general thinning of hair on the top of the scalp. Rogaine isn’t meant for a receding hairline or baldness at the front of your scalp though it can slow it down. It won’t help people who’ve already gone completely bald. Hence minoxidil is most useful in preventing or slowing down hair loss.
Telogen effluvium can also be treated with minoxidil, however in most cases hair loss will stabilise. An example of this is postpartum hair shedding.
View our Treatment Gallery
LLLT or low level laser therapy is a home treatment for male & female pattern hair loss. In the past few years there have been increasing papers showing the efficacy of these devices, hence I am partnering up with iRestore, the premier device, to subjectively investigate the claims👍🏻
.
👩🦳🎀Hair is either in the process of growing, resting, or falling out. The light energy acts like water and nutrients that are absorbed by your hair follicles. A scientific explanation is that LLLT modulates nitric oxide & mitochondrial metabolism, in turn increasing cellular metabolism. This prolongs the growth phase of hairs (anagen) & increases the number of sleeping hair follicles transforming to the growth phase.
An analogy is that LLLT awakens resting hair follicles causing them to grow in number, length & width, improving volume
.
👧🏻Who are ideal candidates? Early to mid male & female patterns of hair loss (genetic, hereditary causes)
.
👉Does the laser hurt? No. It;s low level. Zero pain
.
🧐How to use: Put the helmet on, press a button & it safely illuminates for 25 minutes. Use it 3 times per week. It’s hands free, so you can do other stuff whilst you grow hair!
.
👍🏻💯Why is iRestore superior to other devices? iRestore Pro is the only device on the market to combine 282 LASERS and LEDs to provide the correct light output and power level to stimulate the hair follicles. iRestore is FDA cleared & comes with a 12 month money back guarantee
.
👉Can it used with traditional methods of hair loss treatment: Absolutely, combination treatments work best
.
📆When will I see results: at the 3-6 month mark in most individuals
.
😎Dr Davin Lim
Dermatologist
Brisbane🇦🇺
.
#irestore #irestorehair #irestoring #hairlosstreatment #hairlosslaser #LLLT #irestorelaser
#laserhairgrowth #hairlosscure #drdavinlim #brisbanedermatologist #hair
Microneedling can be useful for many things skin
.
.
🔬Skin Science: Epidermal damage causes cytokine & growth factor release. These molecules stimulate fibroblast to produce collagen. Further collagen remodelling is achieved via dermal stimulation. Another theory is that microneedling changes the electrical polarity of skin cells, in turn causing growth factor release
.
👉Uses: Skin rejuvenation, hair loss, #acnescars, #wrinkles, #enlargedpores & many more
.
.
👍🏻How I use it: To deliver drugs into the dermal layer of skin. Can be a useful adjunct to clinical lasers, deep chemical peels & surgical procedures for scars. I do use ‘cold’ microneedling, however in the context of what I treat, I use RFM more often; ie. Radiofrequency microneedling. This gives controlled heating, meaning better results
.
.
😎Dr Davin Lim
@theformulated
@101.skin
Brisbane🇦🇺
.
#skin #skinrejuvenation #laserscience #skinscience #drdavinlim #davinlim #skintherapy #dermaltherapy #collagen #dermatologist #brisbanedermatologist #dermapen #CIT #collageninduction #skinneedling #microneedling #rfmicroneedling #skinpen #dermaroller
Dreaded hair loss. 😱😱😱Dr Esh & Dr Heba @cliniccutis are experts👍🏻
.
.
🔬Skin Science: Androgenetic alopecia (male & female pattern hair loss) is primarily due to DHT, a derivative of the male hormone testosterone. Testosterone converts to DHT with the aid of the enzyme 5-alpha reductase. When DHT binds to receptors in scalp follicular miniaturization can occur. This shrinks hair follicles, making it impossible for healthy hair to survive
.
👉Treatment options: Depends on whether you are male or female. Male pattern hair loss treated with #finasteride +/- #dutasteride . These can be used in females off label & in caution at the discretion of your #dermatologist. Other antiandrogens such as cyproterone acetate preferred in females
.
.
🧴💊Minoxidil can be used orally or topically in both males & females
.
🩸PRP & #microneedling as well as thulium lasers can be useful adjunctive therapies in both sexes
.
💯Early treatment & stabilization of hair loss is the key. If you are thining, book a consult with my colleagues @cliniccutis
.
😎Dr Davin Lim
Dermatologist
@101.skin
Brisbane 🇦🇺
.
.
#hairloss #baldnesstreatments #hairlosscure #hairlosstreatment #hair #growhair #FUE
#alopecia #regaine #femalehairloss #malehairloss #curehairloss #healthyhair #hairlossclinic #drdavinlim #dermatologist #dermatology
How fast does minoxidil regrow hair?
3 to 7 months. Applied to the scalp, Minoxidil starts working immediately. However, you should expect to wait several months before you see its visible results. That’s because that’s the time it takes for your hair follicles to return to the anagen phase of hair growth. Hair growth will be thin to begin with, before gradually thickening over the course of months.
How often should I apply Minoxidil?
Although the Minoxidil works best when used twice a day, using it once a day will also be effective. In fact recent studies confirm that once a day application is nearly as effective as twice a day. The most convenient time to apply this drug is after a shower, preferably to slightly damp scalp.
What happens to your hair once you stop applying minoxidil?
If you cease minoxidil any hair you’ve gained will gradually be lost again. This happens over a course of 6 months, not overnight, so do not stress. If you want to maximize your results, you might consider supplementing your topical Rogaine with oral medication. Discuss with your prescribing dermatologist.
Does minoxidil cause hair loss?
Yes, It’s Normal to Lose More Hair When You Start Minoxidil. This term is called anagen effluvium or paradoxical minoxidil shedding & is well documented. It is more frequently seen in concentrations of greater than 5%, & can take several months to stabilize. You got to get over this temporary treatment hump before seeing the long term benefits of minoxidil.
What type of hair loss responds poorly to Minoxidil?
Although minoxidil can cause hair to grow anywhere, it is least effective on frontal baldness or bitemporal hair loss. This drug is most effective in the vertex area, the zone between the crown and mid-scalp. Having said that, regular use on the frontal & bitemporal hair line can slow down hair loss in this area. This especially applies post hair transplantation.
How effective is Minoxidil for hair loss?
In a one-year observational study, over 60% percent of men using 5% minoxidil reported a reduction in hair loss. As for hair regrowth, the drug was rated as “very effective” in 16% of participants, “effective” in 48%, “moderately effective” in 21%. Recent studies have shown that up to 60% of women respond to this medication.
What is the best treatment for female pattern hair loss?
Minoxidil (Rogaine) is the only drug approved by the U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat female pattern baldness. Apply minoxidil to your scalp every day using the 5% minoxidil concentration. . Though it won’t fully restore all the hair you’ve lost, minoxidil can grow and give your hair an overall thicker appearance.
Finasteride (Propecia) is FDA-approved to treat hair loss in men. However you treating dermatologist may elect to use this off label to help regrow hair in female pattern baldness.
Spironolactone as well as cyproterone acetate blocks androgen production, and it may help regrow hair in women.
Platelet-rich plasma therapy can be beneficial. This involves drawing your blood, spinning it down, then injecting your own platelets back into your scalp to stimulate hair growth. Though promising, more studies are needed to establish efficacy.
* I do not treat hair loss as this is a medical condition. My work is solely procedural. Hair loss should be approached medically to exclude or confirm various diagnoses. Please see one of the medical dermatologists @cutis_dermatology
How much minoxidil do I apply?
Minoxidil comes with a droplet applicator or a pump dispenser, hence dosing is super easy. As a guide:
- For topical solution dosage form: Adults—Apply 1 milliliter (mL) to the scalp two times a day.
- For topical foam dosage form: Adults—Apply half a capful to the scalp two times a day.
Most dermatologists will be happy with once-a-day application as recent papers show only a small advantage if you double the application frequency (as per Rogaine official dosing guidelines).
What is the go with oral or Minoxidil capsules?
Recent scientific evidence shows that oral tablets work slightly better than topical minoxidil. The dose ranges between 1 to 2 mg per day. Side effects such as decreased blood pressure, dizziness & swelling is more common with this form of delivery. Be guided by your physician.
What are the side effects of minoxidil?
Side effects are rare with topically applied minoxidil (liquid, foam, lotion). The majority can be reduced by skipping a day or two of application. These include-
- Dry, flaky & itchy scalp.
- Facial hair growth.
- Increased hair loss (for the first few months)
- Swelling
- Allergic reactions are super rare & mostly due to propylene glycol, which is found in most preparations of minoxidil
Davin’s viewpoint on Rogaine & Minoxidil
Rogaine is one of the first, & still currently is, the most common prescription for male & female pattern hair loss, known as androgenic alopecia. This drug only works in people with a hereditary form of hair loss at the top and back of the scalp. About 60 percent of people in clinical studies had good results. If it does work for you, you likely won’t grow all of your hair back. It also becomes a lifetime obligation if you want to maintain your results. This topical is best combined with oral agents such as finasteride, dutasteride, cyproterone acetate, spironolactone & oral minoxidil. Topically, minoxidil works best as a preventive.
Disclaimer: my work is procedural. For hair loss disorders, please consult with my colleagues at Cutis Dermatology, Brisbane.
