Minoxidil. Questions and answers

Minoxidil is a non-hormonal drug to stimulate the growth of new hair. Does not affect dihydrotestosterone - the cause of alopecia. Therefore, use in conjunction with finasteride. Apply in places of smearing on the skin twice a day. The first results are visible after four months. Produced in the form of liquid and foam.

What are the drugs called minoxidil?

Depending on the place of sale, the name changes: in the US - Rogaine (Rogaine), in Europe - Regain (Regain). There are alternative means of other manufacturers, for example, popular in the CIS because of its low price Kirkland Minoxidil 5%. All these drugs use one active substance - minoxidil. Only the composition and concentration of auxiliary substances differ.

Which preparation on the basis of minoxidil to choose and where is better to buy?

Most manufacturers set a large mark-up plus the seller's margin. So drugs in pharmacies will be the most expensive. Cheaper in online stores. You can save even more if you order from sellers on the ebay course for a year (12 bottles or more). We recommend to start taking Kirkland Minoxidil 5%. This is the best value for money. If you are ready to spend, then choose Lipogaine. It includes additional components: oleic acid, dwarf palm extract and other inhibitors of 5-alpha-reductase. The effectiveness of these components is ambiguous, but the drug is qualitatively different. In contrast to Kirkland-a Lipogaine does not cause the appearance of similar to dandruff particles.

How to use?

The drug is applied to the problem areas of the skin on which the hair grows (not on the hair itself) twice a day (in the morning and in the evening, 1 ml with the pipette that comes with the kit). After application, the drug should be allowed to absorb for at least four hours. After you can wash your head.

Minoxidil can be applied once a day?

Yes. Despite recommendations from manufacturers, sometimes one application at night, if you have an initial stage of alopecia (up to the third degree of alopecia in Norwood) is enough. If there is no noticeable effect within six months, then you can proceed to a two-time application per day. If you apply the drug only in the evening, then minoxidil will not damage your hair. On the other hand, with a short haircut, a two-time application will not create any problems.

Which option is better - liquid or foam?

There is no difference in effectiveness, but the foam dries faster. Drugs in the form of foam are more expensive.

How long does it take to use minoxidil?

All my life or while you have hair. As soon as you stop using, all the grown hair will return to its previous state or drop out (if not before the treatment) for several months. The hair begins to fall out again and degrade due to the cessation of the stimulating effect that the drug has on the follicles.

How and why does this work?

The mechanism of operation is unknown, there are only guesses. It is assumed that the drug anabolically affects follicle cells, stimulating protein synthesis, opens potassium channels of cell membranes and thus prolongs the anagen phase. It is also known that stimulation of VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor) production occurs, a vascular growth factor of the vessels that stimulates angiogenesis (growth of new vessels and kappilars in the skin), which can positively influence hair growth. In other words, minoxidil is a hair growth stimulant, but it does not affect the main cause of hair loss (susceptibility of hair follicles to dihydrotestosterone). Therefore, even stimulating hair growth, they will gradually degrade due to the harmful effects of the above hormone. Usually apply also finasteride , which reduces the concentration of dihydrotestosterone in the hair follicles.

Can Minoxidil completely restore lost hair?

More likely no than yes. If you have an initial stage of alopecia ( grade 1-2 in Norwood ), then there is a chance that you will be able to completely restore the lost hair. But if your degree is 3 or higher, then you can not restore all the lost hair in most cases.

When are the first results?

On average, after 4-6 months of application, the first results can be observed. Although each person has this time individually: there are cases when the first improvement was observed after 3 months.

How much is and where to buy minoxidil?

The price depends heavily on where you are going to make the purchase. If this is a local pharmacy, the price will be high, and the range will be limited to one or two brands at best. Also, the selected drug at any time can disappear from the sale and you will have to look for a replacement in a hurry. In online stores, the assortment is several times higher, it is possible to read the reviews and choose the drug that suits you. You can buy minoxidil in Moscow, Russia and Ukraine on relevant sites that are simply found in the search engines.

Should I use the original Regaine (Rogaine) or can I do with Kirkland?

You can do with Kirkland, this option is much cheaper, but there is no difference in efficiency.

Is it possible to use minoxidil together with finasteride?

Yes. This is the most effective therapy. Such a bundle provides the highest potential results.

With what concentration to begin? 2% or 5%? Maybe 10% or 15%?

If you have an initial stage of alopecia (1-2 Norwood ), then you can start with 2%. If there is no effect, you can switch to 5%. If you have a more serious degree (3 for Norwood and more), it is better to start immediately with 5%. Stronger options (10% or more) are best used last, when all other options are exhausted.

Is it possible to use a man on the basis of minoxidil on which the "for woman" is written?

Yes. Differences only in the packaging, the composition is no different.

Can women use minoxidil 5% and higher concentration (10%, 15%)?

Women usually use a concentration of 2%. Higher concentrations are not recommended because of the possible growth of unwanted hair (for example, whiskers). If the 2% option does not give the desired effect, then you can try 5%, but only in the absence of side effects. Also, if it is not possible to buy a 2% option, then 5% can be diluted with ethyl alcohol to a concentration of 2%.

How to dilute minoxidil 5% to 2% concentration?

Consider how to dilute from 5% concentration to 2%. To do this, dilute the contents of the vial in a proportion of 1 to 1 ethyl alcohol, but vodka will also suit. Open the bottle, pour half the contents (30 ml) and add 30 ml of ethyl alcohol or vodka, mix. Similarly, you enter the second half in a separate vial or another container. After dilution, you will receive 120ml 2% minoxidil, which is ready for use and is suitable for women.

Are there any side effects from using?

There may be itching, dandruff, lowering of pressure, heart palpitations (if you have heart problems, first consult your therapist), swelling of the face. In each case, the reaction is individual. It is also possible to grow hair throughout the body: on the hands, legs, back. Possible increased hair growth on the face. Often, some side effects disappear after several days of use (this does not apply to increased hair growth on the body and face).

I started to use, and my hair falls even harder! Does this drug not suit me?

This is a normal reaction. A few months later, the hair should grow. It is believed that weakened hair falls out, and in their place grow healthier. This phenomenon is often called a "hair-fall" and it is temporary in contrast to the aggressive form of alopecia (in this case, the hair does not stop).

I have been smeared for over a year and suddenly a strong hair loss began, what happens?

When you started using minoxidil more than a year ago, a large amount of hair fell in a short time because of the stimulating effect of the drug, which translated the weakened hair into a growth phase. Now the cycle of growth of stimulated hair has ended and they pass into a phase of rest (read about the phases of hair growth). In other words, this is normal and after a few months the hair should grow. This phenomenon is called synchronization (synhra). Another option is possible - hair continues to degrade under the influence of dihydrotestosterone (an aggressive form of alopecia). If in 3-4 months the fallout does not stop, then most likely the hair continues to degrade despite the stimulating effect. In this case, you need to think about other options: an increase in% (for example, a transition from 2% to 5% or using a dermarroller or dimexide).

What are the chances that the drug will work (stop hair loss, grow new hair)?

According to studies in which 2300 patients participated, 2% of minoxidil acted as follows:

1. Nothing : no new hair noticed. 
2. Minimal : barely noticeable growth of new hair. 
3. Small : noticeable growth of new hair. 
4. Significant : complete restoration of hair density, as in non-alpine zones.

Company Upjohn also conducted research on the effectiveness of 2% and 5% concentrations. Results after 120 weeks of use are shown below.

Is it possible to enhance the action of minoxidil?

Yes, for this use drugs that improve absorption. These include dermaroller , dimexide , ionophoresis, which significantly improve the penetration of drugs into the skin. Long-term clinical trials with improved penetration have not been carried out, so this can be dangerous. With the use of such drugs, side effects can be increased.

Can you grow a beard, increase the thickness of the hair on your face?

Yes, there are entire foreign forums dedicated to this topic. The drug is applied to the hair growth zone once a day. New hair appears within a couple of months. Often (but not always) after the abolition of minoxidil, they continue to grow.

How to store?

Store the drug at room temperature (15-30 C) in a place inaccessible to children.

Minoxidil is toxic to pets?

The drug can seriously reduce the pressure in humans, not to mention dogs and cats that are much smaller and will experience a more serious effect. Usually, when using minoxidil, nothing is wrong with pets, but be careful and avoid contacting the liquid with the pets.