Minoxidil has been used by young men who had been depressed about their hair loss. Men experiencing hair loss have been delighted with the results of hair growth. Minoxidil is a vasodilator — a drug used to dilate the blood vessels — that can promote blood flow in the scalp and nourishment of the hair follicles.
For several years, the drug’s potential to be a main ingredient for hair growth products had been ignored. But news of the hair-growth factor leaked when a cardiac physician reported in the New England Journal of Medicine that one of his patients, a bald man of 38, had regrown hair while taking the drug for his heart condition.
Several dermatologists were soon involved in world-wide trials. They applied a solution containing a tiny percentage of minoxidil to the scalp. Volunteer guinea pigs — all with balding heads — queued up to try it in the USA, Denmark, the UK, desperate to find out whether the treatment was truly effective.
As it turned out, minoxidil did have some success, but only in about 30–40% of patients; and in those, it generally took at least 6 months before the results were visible. The drawback was that the new hair growth was somewhat indiscriminate to say the least — in as much that the hair didn’t just grow back in the places where the solution was applied. Many people, especially women, reported growing facial hair.
After considerable trials and testing it with other hair growth products, it was found that minoxidil only really works for early or mild cases of pattern baldness and patchy hair loss, or alopecia areata. There are several reported side effects with minoxidil, including mild skin irritations, extensive dermatitis, palpitations and chest pains. It has also been reported as having addictive traits.
As the case for many alopecia treatments, it is best to consult a hair loss expert or medical professional before going into the treatment.
