When hair falls out and baldness begins, it is important not to delay the treatment and regularly maintain a normal condition. One of the most effective methods of treating diseases of the hair, and in particular androgenic alopecia, is the treatment of the head with minoxidil for hair. Reviews about this drug for external use are mostly positive. This tool is designed to stimulate follicles and hair growth, as well as stop their loss.
Initially, it was developed for the treatment of hypertension and was intended for oral administration. But unexpectedly, a side effect was revealed from his intake, which was expressed in the growth of hair on a larger surface of the body. Further research by scientists showed that external application also causes hair growth and markedly slows hair loss, it is even possible to use minoxidil for the beard.
Minoxidil - what is it?
Minoxidil is a chemically synthesized component that has a non-specific effect, namely it stimulates hair growth. This element is the active substance of the Rogain, Spectral CSN, Regen, Pilfood, Spectral CSN-L, Cosilon and others preparations created on its basis.
The medicine does not in any way affect male hormones - androgens, thus not being a substance with antiandrogenic effect. Cosmetically sufficient hair growth is ensured by the fact that minoxidil, analogues of which also exhibit a similar effect, affects the process of thickening of hair, reduces the rate of hair loss and contributes to an increase in the number of hair follicles.
Historical facts
This substance was first used in the 1970s to treat a severe course of arterial hypertension, that is, high blood pressure, as a medicine for oral administration. It caused vasodilation by opening potassium channels.
At the same time, it was noted that in 24-100% of patients, when taken orally, there was an increase in body hair growth, with hypertrichosis further developing. It was interesting that this effect was observed more often in women than in men, and when taking smaller doses.
Since 1979, a study of this action of the drug began. At first he was prescribed for internal use, but his side effect was a decrease in blood pressure and other problems. This led scientists to look for methods of external use in the form of lotions, as a result of which positive results were obtained.
From this point on, its use as a drug for the treatment of baldness and other hair problems has spread widely, some have used minoxidil for a beard. Rogaine's first Minoxidil topical product was developed by Upjohn, an American pharmaceutical company.
Drug action
Minoxidil is a crystalline substance that readily dissolves in water.
Its effective effect on the process of restoration of the scalp and reduction of hair loss is noted. The medicine does not affect the hormonal component of the body as a whole.
Minoxidil is a stable but inactive component. Inside the hair follicle, it does not act directly, but by turning it into minoxidil sulfate, which is a more active derivative that stimulates hair growth. This transformation occurs with the participation of sulfotransferase enzymes, which are contained in the hair follicle cells.
Preparations with minoxidil are intended for external use in the treatment of the symptom of male pattern baldness (from the top of the head) and female (along the middle parting).
The main cause of alopecia is the susceptibility of hair follicles to dihydrotestosterone. The drug does not affect this process, but it affects the activity of the follicles and the cellular structure.
How exactly minoxidil acts is not known; there is an assumption that by relaxing the blood vessels it enhances the flow of blood into the hair follicles, due to which the loss process slows down or stops. At the same time, the growth of healthy new follicles is accelerating. But a similar effect largely depends on the susceptibility of each individual patient to the drug.
Minoxidil: instructions for use
Minoxidil treatment is dose-dependent, that is, the higher the concentration of the drug, the greater the positive effect on hair growth.
The standard treatment regimen involves applying the medicine twice a day, morning and evening. The procedure is performed with a pipette or spray from the kit. For three to four hours after this, it is recommended not to rinse off the head, the drug should be completely absorbed.
In the initial stages of the disease, application once a day at night is sufficient.
In the treatment of hereditary (androgenetic) alopecia, stronger drugs are used - minoxidil 5% or more, and in the case of diffuse alopecia, two percent solutions.
The time before the appearance of the first new hair from the moment of starting treatment is from a month to one year, but very often the result is already felt within the first three months.
If no positive results have been noticed within six months from the start of the use of minoxidil, then there is a likelihood that in this case the drug is ineffective. The duration of use of the drug depends on the severity of the problem and is usually several years.
What to consider?
It is important to remember that the effect of minoxidil for hair, reviews confirm this, you need to continue until the effect is fully consolidated. Otherwise, all grown hair is lost over the next three to six months.
But it is reassuring that they quickly get used to the use of the drug, the time required for the procedure is about five minutes. Therefore, the desire to have beautiful hair outweighs and there are no problems with the continuation of treatment.
Long-term use has a positive effect by increasing the supply of minerals to the follicle, which stimulates the regeneration process and increases the hair growth phase, the production of nitric oxide, which leads to improved tissue oxygen supply.
Side effects
The most common side effect of drugs with minoxidil for hair, reviews confirm this, is irritation of the scalp, peeling and itching, more often when using therapeutic lotions. This is due to the fact that the composition of the preparations contains alcohol and propylene glycol solvent, which causes skin irritation. In this case, medicinal analogues not containing these components are prescribed.
The second most common side effect is that hair growth is enhanced in the sideburns and cheeks, which is especially problematic for women. Therefore, the fair half is most often prescribed a weaker drug - minoxidil 2%.
Minoxidil: analogues
The most popular analogues of the drug, containing various additives and available in various forms, are:
- Spectral.DNC-L is a creamy preparation for use in severe baldness.
- Dercos and Kerium - contain L'Oreal aminexil for mild to moderate forms of the disease.
- Spectral.DNC - 5% drug in the form of nanosomal encapsulation in the form of a lotion.
- Spectral.DNC-N (contains nanoxidil) is an American drug used in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia with minoxidil intolerance.
- Alerana 2% (for the treatment of women) containing pinacidil.
- Minoxidil Alerana 5% (for the treatment of men).
- Ukrainian MinoX, Syrian Minoxidine, Italian Revivexil.
- Dualgen-15 is the strongest drug with a maximum minoxidil concentration of 15%, enhanced with azelaic acid. Recommended for the treatment of severe forms of androgenetic alopecia.
Release Forms
Visually, the liquid preparation has a transparent structure of a slightly colored color. On sale there are bottles of 60 ml in two or four in a set. One bottle is enough for a course of treatment for a month.
Manufacturers presented drug kits with several types of nozzles:
- Classic spray gun. The sprayer is put on the bottle immediately at the factory.
- Extra long atomizer - designed for long hair.
- Rubber applicator dispenser for rubbing and spraying at the same time.
- A scaled pipette - for accurate metering of doses of the drug when applied on local sites.
Companies also produce other products: shampoo with minoxidil, masks, gels, ointments, creams, conditioners, and nanosomal encapsulation products.
Statistics data
It has been proven that with proper use, minoxidil increases the growth of scalp in one third of patients, and the higher the concentration, the better the effect. The drug works best on the crown of the head and is suitable for any type of hair.
To obtain a stronger effect, minoxidil for external hair growth is combined with the simultaneous ingestion of finasteride, which blocks the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone. Such combined therapy increases the positive effect and enhances the effect of drugs for hair.
When examining the action of a 2% minoxidil solution in a group of 3,000 volunteers, the following data were obtained: the amount of hair in a 25x25 mm area after four months showed a noticeable increase - it increased by a third.
When is it used?
Minoxidil, price which varies depending on the manufacturer, is used in the following cases:
- The disease of androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness in the parietal and frontal zone) in both sexes at the initial stage is the first or second stage. Later, the drug is no longer effective.
- Treatment of diffuse alopecia - hair loss on the entire surface of the head during combing or when washing (2% solution).
- Damage to hormonal alopecia - caused by hormonal imbalance during stress, after childbirth, age-related changes, etc.
- The defeat of focal alopecia. This is a local, focal hair loss (minoxidil 5%).
Minoxidil: price and where to buy
Minoxidil-based drugs are sold in pharmacies, as well as in online stores. The price largely depends on the brand of the product, the form of its release and the declared concentration. That is, the foam will cost more than the lotion.
When you purchase a set of several bottles of the same remedy for a course of treatment, many online stores offer significant discounts, so you can save on this. One bottle is usually consumed in 30 days.
from different manufacturers per bottle are approximately as follows:
- Rogaine foam 5% - 1200-1500 rub.;
- Dualgen-15 lotion - 2700-2950 rub .;
- Kirkland Lotion 5% - 650-850 rub.;
- Spectral DNS-L5% lotion - 2300-2600 rub. ;
- Equate Lotion 2% - 1300 rub.
Cautions when using the drug
Usually the effect of minoxidil for hair, reviews confirm this, it is well tolerated, it is quickly absorbed, leaving no residue. The use of the drug is not recommended in some cases:
- If the process of hair loss is not associated with androgenetic alopecia, and the hair falls out due to mechanical injury, that is, tight tightening or weaving.
- With the quick and unexpected appearance of bald patches on the head, which may not be baldness, but a manifestation of a disease such as lichen, requiring other treatment.
- People under the age of 18.
- The drug is not recommended for nursing mothers and pregnant women due to the low knowledge of its effects on the fetus and child.
- It is not recommended to take the drug also with hypersensitivity to it and violations of the scalp caused by infections or manifested by redness or irritation.
With the timely, correct and systematic use of drugs with minoxidil for the treatment of hair loss, stable positive results can be achieved. The main thing is to show patience.