Minoxidil For Hair: Benefits And How It Works

What Is Minoxidil?

Minoxidil, which commonly goes by the trade name Rogaine, was developed by Upjohn Company in the late 1950s to treat ulcers. But today, the medication is used as an oral vasodilator to treat blood pressure (1). This over-the-counter medication is also used to treat male pattern baldness. However, it is believed to work best on those less than 40 years of age.

Minoxidil is available as a tablet, ointment, or foam. It can be taken orally or applied topically to the affected area. Let us look at the research concerning minoxidil.

What Does Research Say About Minoxidil And Hair Regrowth?

Minoxidil was found to be quite effective when used to reverse hair loss due to chemotherapy. In the study, using minoxidil regularly had decreased the duration of hair loss (2).

In another study, the participants (men) were categorized into three groups. While the first two groups were given 5% minoxidil and 2% minoxidil, the third was given a placebo. The study found that men who used 5% topical minoxidil showed more effective hair growth than those in the other two groups (3).

Topical minoxidil used along with finasteride was found to be more effective in treating hair loss than using either of the medication alone (4). However, finasteride is not recommended for pregnant women due to its potential teratogenic effects on the fetus (physical malformations) (5).

In another study, using 5% topical minoxidil and low-level light therapy (a red light device used on the scalp) showed an increased improvement from alopecia (6).

Much of the research does state that minoxidil may help with hair regrowth. But how does it work?

How Does Minoxidil Work For Hair?

Minoxidil is a vasodilator and is used to treat blood pressure. It helps expand the blood vessels, leading to an increase in blood flow in the body. It is believed that this property of minoxidil may help increase the blood flow to the hair follicles, encouraging hair growth (7). However, more information on the mechanism of minoxidil in hair growth is warranted.

Fun Fact

Tom Cruise is said to have used a 10% Minoxidil treatment to tackle his hair loss issues, and now sports an enviable mop of hair despite being in his 60s!

How long does the medication take to show results? Keep reading.

How Long Does Minoxidil Take To Work On Hair?

Those who used 5% topical minoxidil showed fasters results than those who used 3% topical minoxidil (3). Based on the type of minoxidil used, one may observe results in 4 to 6 months.

Note: Certain individuals may not see changes right away. Some may even experience hair loss after using minoxidil. In such cases, one must consult their doctor. There could be an underlying condition causing hair loss.

Quick Tip

Minoxidil, even in small doses, is said to be highly toxic for cats. There have been reported cases of cat deaths soon after they came in contact with it.

Minoxidil may also cause certain adverse effects you must be aware of.

Side Effects Of Minoxidil On Hair

Anecdotal evidence suggests that topical minoxidil may cause the following side effects:

• Itching
• Skin rashes
• Acne
• Burning sensation on the scalp
• Facial hair growth
• Swelling of face

Oral minoxidil may harm the fetus in pregnant women. Research is limited in this regard. Stay safe and avoid use.

A study was conducted on 1404 patients suffering from any type of alopecia to understand the effect of low-dose oral minoxidil (LDOM) as a treatment for hair loss. Of them, about 98% of the participants successfully used minoxidil to manage hair loss while 1.7% discontinued the treatment as a result of systemic adverse effects, like headache, hypertrichosis, and lightheadedness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does minoxidil thicken hair?

Yes, along with promoting hair growth, minoxidil may make your hair healthier and thicker.

Can I sleep with minoxidil on?

Yes, you can sleep after applying minoxidil on your hair and scalp, but make sure you let it dry first as it may stain your clothes, pillow covers, and sheets.

Can I apply oil after minoxidil?

You can use some oils with or after minoxidil, depending on your hair and scalp condition. In most cases, you should wait for the minoxidil to soak into your scalp completely before applying oil. Consult a dermatologist or trichologist first to avoid adverse effects.

Can I use onion juice with minoxidil?

You shouldn’t use onion juice with minoxidil unless your doctor recommends it. However, you can apply onion juice to your hair and scalp after a few hours when the minoxidil has soaked into your scalp, and is dry.

Can minoxidil make my hair fall out?

Minoxidil brings your hair into the hair growth phase. So, you might notice hair shedding during the first few weeks of using minoxidil as it quickens the resting phase of hair. After the resting phase, the old strands fall out, and new hair growth occurs.

Do you lose hair if you stop minoxidil?

This depends on the type of hair loss you have. In most cases, hair growth stops once you discontinue minoxidil. Consult your doctor before discontinuing the treatment.

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Tiffany YoungCertified Trichology Practitioner

     

Tiffany Young is the CEO and founder of ThinHairThick and a certified trichology practitioner with 6 years of experience. She is also a recognized expert in the hair and beauty industry with celebrity clientele. Her own personal struggles with hair loss created an opportunity for her to deep-dive into learning all things related to medical conditions and external factors that...more

Anjali SayeeAssociate Editor

 

Anjali is an associate editor at StyleCraze. She specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. She has 7 years of experience, and her philosophy about hair and skin care is simple: if you love and care for it, it will be healthy. She has taken it upon herself to show...more

Eshna DasAssociate Editor

Eshna is an associate editor and a certified skin care coach. She has over three years of experience, a triple main bachelor’s degree in psychology, English, and journalism from Mount Carmel College, Bengaluru, and a master’s degree in psychology from Sampurna Montfort College, Bengaluru. Her passion for writing and editing and her background in psychology help her create content that...more

Swathi ESenior Beauty & Lifestyle Writer

Swathi has a postgraduate degree in English literature from The English And Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and over two years of experience in writing on health and lifestyle. She also has a diploma in English journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Kottayam, and is a certified skincare coach. She writes on skin care and aims to present well-researched...more