2 - Rogaine

Men ----- Yes

Women ----- Yes

Main Purpose ----- Stimulating Regrowth

Overall Rating ----- 4 Star

It wasn't until the 1980's that a drug called Minoxidil hit the market – but – it was for treating people with high blood pressure. Interestingly enough, one of its side effects was hair growth (or what is actually called hypertrichosis - the growth of hair on the face or other areas of the body). It wasn't long before somebody decided it would be a good idea to market minoxidil as a hair loss product and tell people to lather their scalp with it.

Recognizing a market opportunity, the Upjohn Drug Company jumped on the bandwagon and minoxidil for baldness was created. In 1988, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved minoxidil for the treatment of hereditary male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia). It can also be used for Telogen effluvium – a temporary condition due to sudden medication changes, life and hormonal changes.

Pros and Cons:

Cons

• Rogaine/Minoxidil retards the loss of hair in areas with minimal hair – the small almost not able to see hairs/fuzzies (also referred to as highly miniaturized). It does not grow hair on completely bald scalp. Results may be seen with this product in about 6 to 12 months.


• Women may benefit if their hair loss is characterized by diffuse thinning.


• Hair restoration surgeons recommend patients use minoxidil before and immediately after surgery, particularly if grafts have been placed in and around existing hair.


• Minoxidil may help prevent temporary loss of healthy, preexisting hair due to the shock of the hair transplant procedure.


• Available in 2% and 5% concentrations. The 2% solution is approved for female pattern hair loss.


• Keeping what hair you have or slowing your thinning.

Cons

• Within 2 to 3 months of stopping this medication, any possible regrowth or appearance of increased density will vanish.


• You must keep taking the medication indefinitely, or any benefit will be lost.


• It is effective in the crown or top of the head, but not in the frontal area.


• Must be applied twice a day, once in the morning, after you have dried your hair and scalp and the again in the evening - an hour or two before you go to bed. Make sure it dries completely. Wash your hands after each application. Studies show one application does nothing.


• Growth may not be as great as one thinks it is.


• Hair transplant surgeons suggest Minoxidil be stopped a week prior to transplant surgery, as it dilates blood vessels, and may increase operative bleeding.


• It’s not clear how minoxidil works.


• In most cases, the best to be hoped for would be minimal hair growth (if at all) is a thin coverage of thin hair.


• Minoxidil's effectiveness does diminish over time. Patients can build up a tolerance to it after many years of use.


• Side effects include: acne on the area it is being used, headaches and/or lightheadedness, very low blood pressure, irrregular or fast heartbeat, blurred vision, chest pain.

Ease Of Use:

Although pretty easy to use, you may find using it twice a day to be a bit of a pain. However, if this product works for you and you have minimal side effects, you might not mind twice daily applications.

Ingredients:

active ingredient Minoxidil 5% w/v. Inactive ingredients: Alcohol 30% v/v, Propylene Glycol 50% v/v and purified water.

You may purchase Rogaine from Amazon by clicking below: