Tired of hair loss, then you might have come across the name minoxidil 5% or Rogaine. Minoxidil 5% is a hair restoration loss medication for individuals with baldness. It comes in a liquid or foam form and is administered directly to the areas of your scalp where hair loss is visible.
It is best for people who are facing the sign of baldness or hair thinning and all. It is best advised to use Minoxidil 5% to protect your existing hair and stimulate growth. Here in this guide, we will learn all about the Minoxidil 5% for hair growth and how it works.
What is Minoxidil?
Minoxidil was first used as an intravenous vasodilator to quickly manage excessive blood pressure. It was then discovered that it had an unintended consequence of enhanced hair growth. Minoxidil was then employed in a topical treatment form of hair regrowth following extensive research. The process is the same: it stimulates blood flow to the hair roots, leading to better nutrition and the regrowth of cells that have not yet died. It can also help you grow thicker hair by increasing the diameter of the hair.
Various research concluded that Minoxidil 5% works in preventing hair loss.
Does Minoxidil Work?
Now there is a lot of debate about if Minoxidil 5% works or not and the answer is it does. Minoxidil is more effective at preventing or delaying hair loss compared to hair growth. Hair regeneration is more of a bonus; hair loss prevention seems to be more likely. Men were randomly sorted into three groups in research released by the American Academy of Dermatology: 5% Minoxidil, 2% Minoxidil, or placebo. Men who used 5% Minoxidil had 45 percent more hair regrowth than those who used 2%. In another research, it has been found that males who used Minoxidil 5% with laser therapy were happier with their outcomes versus men who have used Minoxidil alone.
How does Minoxidil 5% Work?
Minoxidil works by accelerating the transition from the telogen to the anagen phase of the hair development cycle. To know this, it’s helpful to review the mechanism by which the hair grows, loses, and replenishes itself. As the hair develops, it passes through different stages. The hair growth cycle, often known as the hair development season. The hair reaches its entire size, mostly during the anagen stage of the process.
According to studies, 85 to 90% of the hairs will be in this stage at any particular time. The anagen phase of the hair development phase will last two to six years and, during this time, the hair continues to grow.
When the hair reaches a maximum length, it transitions from anagen to the catagen period, during which it separates from the scalp. The hair then reaches the telogen phase, which lasts some months and involves the complete resting of the hair.
Finally, the old hair separates and falls off the scalp, with a new hair follicle sprouting to take its place. The telogen phase of this process is shortened with Minoxidil 5%, which means the hair time at rest will be shortened. It also prolongs the anagen phase, or growth stage, and encourages the hair to join this process sooner than they would otherwise.
How Much Long Does It Take Minoxidil to Work?
Minoxidil 5 percent, when used two times in a day, can act faster than Minoxidil 2 percent according to the study. The average time to see outcomes is four months. While using Minoxidil for the first time, some individuals may notice some extra hair loss. Some people may believe their baldness is becoming worse before it heals because of this. In reality, this is a typical occurrence caused by the hair follicles adjusting their growth phase. It’s a good reason to stop applying Minoxidil and consult your doctor if the hair loss hasn’t decreased after many months.
Minoxidil Use and Side Effects
Even though Minoxidil is usually harmless, some may encounter negative effects if you first take it. Scalp irritation, roughness, flaking, and itching are all frequent Minoxidil adverse effects. To avoid these adverse effects, avoid using Minoxidil than recommended, and wash your hands afterwards to avoid spreading it to other parts of the body.
When these side effects are significant or do not go away on their own, contact your healthcare professional. Further, for those who have blood pressure or heart problems, consult with a doctor before applying Minoxidil to ensure safety. While using Minoxidil, if you have chest pain, fast heartbeat, lightheadedness, nausea, abrupt, inexplicable weight gain, or hand or foot edema, seek immediate medical help.
There you go! Now you know all about the Minoxidil 5% for hair growth. Hair loss is a common occurrence in different age groups. And everybody is desperate enough to try the things that can actually prevent hair loss. Considering the same, Minoxidil 5% is a great alternative.
