Hair Restoration Doctor
Minoxidil, which is sold under the brand name of Rogaine, is a topical medication that is available to treat hair loss. It is available over the counter, and it stimulates hair growth as well as slows down the balding process. In addition, it is the first medication approved by the FDA to treat hair loss that is related to androgenetic alopecia. The medication was conceived as being used to treat high blood pressure, but it was also found to have the ability to stimulate hair growth.
While the initial studies of minoxidil were performed by applying the medicine to the vertex area of the scalp, it has been shown that minoxidil is able to work anywhere on the scalp where there is still some hair located in the targeted area. Having said that, patients should not expect hair growth from minoxidil on areas of the scalp where there is no hair.
Generally is recommended to patients that the best time to use Rogaine is early in the hair loss process. Patients that wait until later stages of hair loss will see some slowing down of their hair loss, but they are not guaranteed to enjoy an increase in the total volume of hair on the scalp. In general, patients will continue to lose hair but at a slower pace thanks to the use of Rogaine.
Patients that want to purchase minoxidil can buy it in a 2% or 5% concentration and it is available as a topical solution or as a foam. Patients that have longer hair might find the solution easier to use on the scalp. On the other hand, patients who suffer from a large amount of balding on the front of the scalp, as well as the crown, may find using the foam to be a more convenient choice.
Rogaine is normally applied to the scalp in both the morning and the evening. It is supposed to be applied to the balding area of the scalp and not the remaining shafts of hair. Female hair loss patients can use minoxidil but the approved concentration for female patients is only 2% while the 5% concentration is recommended for male patients.
Anyone that decides to use Rogaine needs to realize this is a long-term commitment as the gains that are achieved by the use of minoxidil will start to disappear if the patient stops using it on a regular/daily basis. The hair growth gained by the use of the medication will go away if the patient decides to stop using the product.
For more in-depth information regarding various forms of hair restoration treatments, we recommend consulting with an experienced hair restoration doctor. A hair restoration doctor will be able to offer recommendations for hair restoration that best suit your specific needs.
