The 35 million people who have male pattern baldness have their choice of two FDA-approved drugs to combat hair loss. Minoxidil is one of them.
In some men, using the drug — which comes as a topical solution or foam — once or twice a day can put a stop to hair loss from male pattern baldness (also called androgenetic alopecia) once it has started. And if you’re lucky, minoxidil (Rogaine) can even stimulate new hair growth. The key is to use it early, as soon as you start losing your hair, and continue to keep up the results and you can buy online minoxidil 12.5 topical.
It has its advantages and disadvantages, but minoxidil can be very effective for a lot of men.
How Minoxidil Works
Originally, minoxidil was a blood pressure medication that was taken by mouth, and doctors discovered that when people took the drug they saw hair growth on certain parts of their body. Studies proved that the medication could induce hair growth in certain people when it was given topically.
As a hair loss treatment, it works by extending the growth phase of hair and each hair goes through a growth cycle in which it grows for about 1,000 days before it falls out.
But in men with male pattern baldness, hair follicles become miniaturized and the hair starts becoming more fine and delicate. It happens sometime after puberty and is associated with androgens, male sex hormones. (That’s why it’s called androgenetic alopecia). Eventually, the hairline recedes and hair around the crown of the head thins.
The drug comes in two concentrations: 2 percent and 5 percent. Minoxidil 2% is designed for women, while minoxidil 5% for men.
How to use Minoxidil Solution
Read and follow all directions on the product package before using this product. If you are uncertain about any of the information, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
- Clean and dry the scalp area before applying the medication. You may apply this product to damp hair. To use the solution, fill the applicator with 1 milliliter of medication (to the 1-milliliter line), or use 20 drops.
- Part your hair in the area of thinning and apply the solution evenly to the affected area of the scalp. Gently rub in. Allow the solution to dry completely before using other styling products (e.g., gels, mousse) or before going to bed.
- To use the foam, rinse your hands in cold water and dry well. Apply about 1/2 capful of foam to the scalp and rub in gently. Allow the foam to dry completely before styling or going to bed.
- If scalp irritation is a problem, you may need to avoid using minoxidil on the same days that you have your hair colored or chemically treated (for example, permed).
- Do not use on other parts of the body unless directed by your doctor. Do not use on skin that is red, painful, irritated, scraped, cut, or infected.
- Wash hands thoroughly after application. Avoid getting the medication in your eyes. If this occurs, rinse your eyes with large amounts of cool water.
- This product may contain alcohol and can be irritating and drying to the scalp. Ask your doctor or pharmacist how to use this product safely.
Minoxidil: Pros
Minoxidil may be a good choice for hair loss treatment if you’ve just started losing your hair. Here are the advantages of order minoxidil 12.5 percent otc:
- It’s effective, especially for young men. When you start minoxidil early, especially if you’re a man in his twenties who has thinning hair and a father and uncle with male pattern baldness, you have the best chances of responding to minoxidil as a therapy.
- It’s over-the-counter. A doctor’s prescription is not necessary. You can find minoxidil at your local drugstore, although some doctors recommend talking to your primary doctor or dermatologist before starting treatment on your own.
Minoxidil: Cons
There also are some cons to using minoxidil, including:
- It can be costly. It can cost about $40 for a three-month supply of minoxidil 5%. However, keep in mind that minoxidil 2% used to be available only by prescription and cost as much as $100 a bottle, which wasn’t covered by insurance. Today, men can buy minoxidil 5% (more than twice the concentration of the original prescription formula) for considerably less. If you’re a bargain shopper and go to a discount warehouse store, you can buy four bottles for about $50.
- It can be cumbersome. Applying it to the scalp can be a challenge for some men. It’s recommended to apply the solution twice a day, but some men can get away with applying it only once.
- It doesn’t work for everyone. Minoxidil works best for young men who are just starting to lose their hair. Someone who is already bald won’t be able to grow new hair with minoxidil. Also, while a certain number of men will be able to grow new hair with the drug, some will only be able to stop hair loss, and for others, the drug won’t work at all.
- If you stop, hair loss will continue. Stop using the medication and your hair will begin to thin again.
Sometimes minoxidil is prescribed along with the other medication for androgenetic alopecia: finasteride (Propecia), which is a prescription pill originally marketed in a higher-dosage pill as Proscar for prostate problems.
Recommends that men choose maximum strength minoxidil 12.5 serum and try it for a year before adding another to the mix. If you try both at once, you won’t know which one works and you’ll have to keep using both.
In the meantime, it’s good to know there’s an effective treatment that you can buy without a prescription.
Minoxidil for Male Hair