MINOXIDIL: EFFECTS, SIDE EFFECTS AND ALTERNATIVES

MINOXIDIL FOR HAIR LOSS

EFFECTS, SIDE EFFECTS AND ALTERNATIVES

Losing up to 100 hairs a day is completely normal and no reason to worry. Anything that goes beyond this on a permanent basis is referred to as hair loss. This can have various causes: illness, hormonal fluctuations, poor diet, stress or a genetic predisposition. Especially in the case of the latter, i.e. hereditary hair loss , there are numerous miracle cures on the market that promise quick help. However, only a few active ingredients have been clinically proven to be effective against hair loss - one of them is minoxidil.

EFFECT OF MINOXIDIL

 Minoxidil was originally developed in the 1960s to treat high blood pressure. Increased hair growth was quickly identified as a “side effect,” which is why minoxidil is now also used specifically to combat hair loss.

The effectiveness of minoxidil for hair loss has now been proven by scientific studies. But there is still disagreement among scientists as to why it works. The most widespread theory is that minoxidil dilates the blood vessels in the scalp, allowing the roots to be better supplied with nutrients. A newer hypothesis is that minoxidil increases a specific enzyme (called ATP) in the hair follicle and prolongs its growth phase (scientifically called the anagen phase). Some researchers also believe that minoxidil enlarges hair follicles that have previously shrunk due to hormones.

DIFFERENT EFFECTS OF MINOXIDIL IN WOMEN AND MEN

But no matter what theory you use, the fact is that Minxodil has been proven to stimulate hair growth in men and women. Scientific studies have shown that women respond better to the active ingredient than men. For them, even small amounts of minoxidil are enough to stop hair loss.

Minoxidil is particularly suitable for women if their hair loss is caused by an excess of male sex hormones or if the hair follicles are sensitive to these hormones.

USE AND DURATION OF MINOXIDIL

Minoxidil is best used for hair loss in the form of a tincture or foam. The ideal dosage is two percent minoxidil for women and five percent for men. The selected preparation is applied to the scalp twice a day and gently massaged in for two to three minutes. This allows the minoxidil to penetrate to the hair root and develop its effect there.

When using minoxidil, you must be aware that it takes a certain amount of time to see an effect. Because the hair roots need at least four weeks to regenerate. A noticeable result from using minoxidil can therefore only be expected after around two months. For women, it can even take three to four months for hair growth to recover.

DOES MINOXIDIL PROMOTE BEARD GROWTH?

Minoxidil actually helps primarily with hereditary hair loss, but users also try to use the active ingredient to stimulate their sparse or patchy beard growth. However, there is currently no approved beard growth product containing minoxidil. Experts also advise against using minoxidil to stimulate beard growth, because the active ingredient enters the bloodstream via the skin and can cause hair to grow in other places where it is definitely not wanted, for example on the back, hands or feet.

WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS OF MINOXIDIL?

The effect of minoxidil against hair loss has been sufficiently proven in studies. However, treatment with the active ingredient has a catch: Minoxidil is unfortunately known for various side effects, which have also been proven by clinical studies. Long-term use may cause redness of the scalp, itching and flaking. Some users also report headaches, dizziness or nausea.

ALTERNATIVES TO THE USE OF MINOXIDIL

Since the use of Minoxidil can cause side effects, some users are looking for an alternative. One example is Redensyl®. Redensyl® has been proven to be significantly more effective against hair loss than Minoxidil.

In one study¹, Redensyl® increased hair growth by +214 percent, showing results almost two times better than minoxidil. In addition, Redensyl® has no side effects such as low blood pressure, headaches, itching or skin redness.

 ¹Induchem, Redensyl®: The Hair Growth Galvanizer, Reactivates hair follicle stem cells for an outstanding hair growth. Switzerland, 2014.