Minoxidil for Hair Loss
Minoxidil has been scientifically proven to slow down and lessen the effects of hair loss. This medication works by strengthening follicles and promoting both hair regrowth and new hair growth.
Dr Bonaros specialises in various treatments and can offer private prescriptions for oral minoxidil for hair loss following a consultation.
Are you ready to restore your hair and boost your confidence? Contact Dr Bonaros to learn more about the different minoxidil hair treatment options and find the solution that suits you best.
Table of Contents
Overview of Minoxidil
Researchers initially developed minoxidil in the 1970s as an antihypertensive agent to treat high blood pressure. However, it attracted interest as a potential treatment to stimulate follicles when patients receiving this medication developed generalised hypertrichosis (excessive hair growth on the body) as a side effect.
This observation led to the creation of a topical formulation with minoxidil as the active ingredient. It has since become the first-line treatment of male and female pattern hair loss (also called androgenetic alopecia or hereditary hair loss). The medication is sold under the common brand name Rogaine as a hair loss treatment.
How Minoxidil Works to Promote Hair Growth
Minoxidil’s exact mechanism of action is unknown. However, trials have shown that minoxidil can slow hair loss and stimulate hair growth in cases of both male and female pattern baldness in several ways:
- Minoxidil prolongs the anagen phase of the follicle hair growth cycle
- Reverses follicle miniaturisation
- Enhances blood flow around the hair follicles by dilating the blood vessels
- Stimulates follicle movement to the growth phase of the hair growth cycle
According to other hypotheses, minoxidil may also have proliferative, anti-androgenic (the blocking of androgen hormones), and anti-inflammatory effects.
Efficacy of Minoxidil to Stimulate Hair Growth
Several meta-analysis studies have confirmed the high quality of evidence for using minoxidil to treat androgenetic alopecia (AGA) in both men and women. Despite minoxidil’s effectiveness in hair regrowth, it doesn’t work for everyone and every type of hair loss.
In one study, dermatologists evaluated the effectiveness of minoxidil 5% topical solution in 984 men with hereditary hair loss. After one year, they reported that balding areas on the scalp had become smaller in 62% of the patients, unchanged in 35.1%, and more significant in 2.9%.
Regarding minoxidil’s effectiveness in stimulating new hair growth, the investigators found it:
- very effective in 15.9% of patients
- effective in 47.8%
- moderately effective in 20.6%
- ineffective in 15.7%
This means there was an overall efficacy rate of 84.3% for the minoxidil topical solution.
However, it’s key to note that patients should be treated for at least six months before being assessed by a hair restoration physician. Additionally, minoxidil hair growth treatment should be prolonged indefinitely to maintain the efficacy of positive results. Minoxidil discontinuation will cause acute hair shedding after three to four months.
Oral Minoxidil for Hair Restoration in Men & Women
Oral minoxidil contains the active ingredient minoxidil in tablet form. This hair loss medicine is not officially approved to treat male pattern baldness, so its use is off-label. However, the results of small studies have shown that minoxidil pills for hair loss are not inferior to topical minoxidil. In fact, when prescribed appropriately, oral minoxidil tends to be more effective than its topical counterpart.
Oral minoxidil can be an alternative treatment in healthy men and women who cannot tolerate or comply with the topical solution. Minoxidil for men is also considered for those concerned about or have already experienced sexual side effects from finasteride medication for hair loss.
Oral Minoxidil Dosage & Consumption
When writing an oral minoxidil prescription, a medical professional will specify the exact dosage their patient should consume. For men, the recommended dosage ranges from 1.25 to 5mg. The minoxidil dose for hair loss in women is lower and ranges from 0,25 to 2.5 mg daily. Learn more about the effects of Minoxidil for women.
Minoxidil tablets for hair loss are always prescribed as a low-dose medication. Oral minoxidil hair regrowth prescriptions are far below the 10 to 40mg average daily dosage (with a maximum of 100mg per day) used for hypertension. This means they can be prescribed for long-term usage — an essential part of maintaining the hair growth effects of minoxidil.
Oral Minoxidil Side Effects
As with its topical counterpart, common side effects of oral minoxidil are mild hair loss through shedding (usually within the first six weeks of treatment) and hypertrichosis. Higher doses of minoxidil increase the likelihood of hypertrichosis occurring. However, this side effect will dissipate within one to three months after a patient stops using the oral treatment.
Select patients also experience the following side effects from the medication:
- Lower limb oedema — fluid retention that causes weight gain or lower leg, feet and ankle swelling.
- Postural hypotension — low blood pressure that is caused by the transition from sitting or lying down to standing.
- Tachycardia — a fast-paced heartbeat that exceeds 100 beats per minute.
Both postural hypertension and tachycardia can cause dizziness and lightheadedness. Tachycardia can also result in chest pain or difficulty breathing due to shortness of breath.
If patients experience any of the above-mentioned side effects, they should seek medical help as soon as possible.
Minoxidil is the mainstay treatment for hereditary hair loss. Contact our clinic at 0141 340 9098
or info@drbonaros.com to find out more about minoxidil and its before and after treatment successes.
Topical Minoxidil for Hair Follicle Stimulation & Growth
Topical minoxidil is one of the primary ways to treat hair loss. This FDA-approved and UK-licensed medication is available in two easy-to-use forms — a solution and foam. Users simply apply the minoxidil topical solution to areas of the scalp with thinning hair or hair loss.
A sulfotransferase enzyme found in hair follicles then works to activate and effectively absorb the minoxidil. While this enzyme is always found in the liver, its presence in hair follicles differs from person to person.
As such, minoxidil topical solution results differ between patients and, if there is little to no efficacy, a doctor may prescribe an oral minoxidil treatment instead.
Topical Minoxidil Dosage & Application
Dosages for topical minoxidil differ according to the patient’s sex and whether the minoxidil is a solution or foam.
- In men, the recommended dose of minoxidil solution for hair growth is 1ml twice daily of the 5% solution. The dosage for minoxidil 5% foam is half a capful twice daily.
- For women, the recommended dosage is 1ml of 2% minoxidil solution twice daily or half a capful of the 5% foam formulation once a day.
Topical Minoxidil Side Effects
One of the more common side effects some patients notice is a transitory increase in hair shedding at the beginning of their Minoxidil treatment plan. However, this usually only lasts for a few weeks and should not cause concern.
Minoxidil solution containing propylene glycol can also cause skin irritation or an allergic reaction. Patients may switch to the minoxidil topical foam formulation if the affected area becomes irritated. Unlike the solution, this foam does not contain propylene glycol.
Other possible side effects of minoxidil include:
- Scalp dryness and dandruff — can occur as the alcohol-based vehicle in the solution evaporates, drawing moisture from the scalp
- Contact dermatitis and pruritus — a non-contagious but itchy and uncomfortable rash caused by contact with an allergen or irritant.
- Erythema — redness of the skin resulting from increased dilation of the capillaries.
- Facial hypertrichosis — unwanted hair growth on the face, which usually resolves one to three months after drug discontinuation.
Minoxidil for Hair Growth — Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use both topical and oral minoxidil?
No, you should not use topical and oral minoxidil at the same time. Both formulations of this hair loss medication have various side effects. Applying or consuming more than the recommended amount can increase the severity of or result in unwanted side effects.
However, non-simultaneous usage is possible. If your body does not respond well to topical minoxidil solution or foam, your doctor may write you a prescription for oral minoxidil instead.
Who cannot use minoxidil?
Both forms of minoxidil have various potential side effects and, depending on the patient, can be unsuitable for usage.
Minoxidil can be especially unsafe for patients with:
- A history of heart problems, such as heart disease or failure
- Existing hepatic (related to the kidneys) or renal (relating to the liver) conditions
- Very low blood pressure
- Pheochromocytoma (an adrenal gland tumour)
It is essential to consult with a doctor to determine a treatment plan that takes all factors into consideration. Ensure you disclose all of your health conditions, allergies, and the current medications you are taking during your initial medical consultation.
What alternative medications are there to minoxidil?
Besides minoxidil, there are two other drugs predominantly used to treat male pattern baldness and hair loss — finasteride and dutasteride.
Originally developed to combat benign prostatic hyperplasia (an enlarged prostate), these medicines function by preventing the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT) — a male hormone that shrinks hair follicles and results in the prevention of hair growth.
Can minoxidil topical be used on other parts of the body?
No, unless directed by your physician. Even though it can sometimes cause hypertrichosis on the body or face, minoxidil topical solution for hair loss should only be used on the scalp in the exact amount prescribed by your doctor.
Using a higher concentration of minoxidil foam or cream, using it too often, or using it on other parts of the body increases the chances of it being absorbed through the skin and affecting your heart and blood vessels with unwanted effects.
Read more about the uses of minoxidil for beard growth and body hair growth.
How long does minoxidil take to work?
For some, minoxidil hair regrowth results have appeared in as little as eight weeks following a regular dosing schedule.
However, others might have to wait a few months — up to 16 weeks — before they start seeing results.
What should I do if I accidentally miss a dose of minoxidil?
In the case of a missed dose of minoxidil, there are two ways to proceed. If it is not very long after the original time you were supposed to have your minoxidil, you can still take it. However, if it is close to the scheduled time for your next dose, skip the previous one entirely. It is essential that you do not double your next dose to compensate for a missed dose, as doing so could lead to several unwanted side effects.
Considering crown and hairline hair restoration using minoxidil and want to speak to a professional?
Book an appointment at our clinic to find out how we can help.
Dr Bonaros: Trusted UK Hair Loss & Restoration Specialist
If you are looking into hair restoration solutions, get in touch with Dr Bonaros’ hair transplant clinic in Glasgow.
Our state-of-the-art clinic is led by Dr Bonaros, a highly experienced and trained hair transplant surgeon and hair loss specialist in Scotland. As a full member of the British Association of Hair Restoration Surgery (BAHRS) and Scotland’s only full member of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS), Dr Bonaros is one of the UK’s most qualified hair restoration experts.
We aim to treat hair loss in a safe, effective, and personalised manner, with the overall goal of helping patients regain their confidence through long-term solutions. Using a patient-centred approach, Dr Bonaros can assess your case, whether you’re considering Rogaine for a receding hairline or male pattern hair loss. He will perform a reliable diagnosis and provide you with a realistic and comprehensive treatment plan tailored to you.
Dr Bonaros will also monitor the effectiveness of the medical therapy clinically in follow-up consultations. If needed, he can suggest medical and surgical options to augment the benefits of minoxidil or other medications.
Dr Bonaros provides private prescriptions for oral minoxidil for hair loss. Book an appointment today — either at our clinic in Glasgow or through a consultation over Zoom.