Minoxidil was first developed in the late 1950’s initially to treat ulcers, unfortunately the compound didn’t actually work but was proven to be a powerful vasodilator. A vasodilator is a drug that widens blood vessels to allow clearer blood flow and the result of this by-product, minoxidil was formed in tablet formula as a treatment for high blood pressure.
Fast forward about 30 years, after years of research and being a doctors best kept secret, the FDA finally approved the drug for treating baldness in men. Rogaine was born and was hailed as the biggest breakthrough in male patterned baldness.
Unfortunately Minoxidil is not a miracle drug that will cure all baldness, the common misconception though is that “Minoxidil will grow back your hair and can cure baldness”
Recent studies have shown that Minoxidil is only successful in growing new hair in about 35% of men who have seen “moderate hair growth on the crown of their head” From this, 35% of men has only started to see increase after an average of 6 months.
What they don’t tell you is that minoxidil must be used “indefinitely” in other words for the rest of your life “for continued support of existing hair follicles and the maintenance of any experienced hair growth”
In short, Minoxidil will start by pushing out hairs in telogen phase (resting) to allow bigger stronger hairs to come through during an anagen phase (growth period). After 6 months you MAY notice some hair growth, however if you don’t continue to use it forever the hair loss that you MAY have gained has now been lost… and at what cost? – It doesn’t sound too great does it?
As with all human made chemical based medical treatments there comes a potential risk or side effect and minoxidil has its demons…
Common side effects that have been discovered with minoxidil such as burning, irritation of the eye, redness, swelling of the face, unwanted hair growth elsewhere on the body, Exacerbation of hair loss (you could lose more than you grow!) difficulty breathing, hives, dizziness, headache, fainting, sudden and unexplained weight gain – should I go on?
It is no wonder that many people are looking and turning to natural treatments and products to remedy their hair loss and this is where The Regrow Hair Centre is focusing its attentions as an alternative to the chemicals in their mission statement.
It is worth adding that Minoxidil can be used in conjunction with natural treatments with recent studies showing an increase in hair growth when used in conjunction with other hair loss treatments, PRP and Derma Rolling were the examples of combined increases.
Regrow Hair Centre has researched and sourced a great number of natural treatments to help stimulate hair growth and has seen some very encouraging success stories with little to no side effects at all.
With a range of natural vitamins, serums, low level laser therapy and PRP treatments, Regrow can yield the same if not better results than that of minoxidil…If you would like to know more about natural products or treatments you can contact Regrow Hair Centre at www.regrowhaircentre.com or visit their online store at www.regrowhairproducts.co.uk
Kuntzman, Gersh (2001). Hair!: Mankind’s Historic Quest to End Baldness. Random House Publishing Group. p. 172. ISBN 978-0679647096. Retrieved 2015-05-11. (Google Books)
Rogaine Side Effects in Detail – Drugs.com”. drugs.com. Archived from the original on 2017-09-22.
Minoxidil Official FDA information, side effects and uses”. Drugs.com. Archived from the original on 2017-09-22.
Vasodilators”. mayoclinic.com. Archived from the original on 2011-03-09.
