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Beautiful thick hair is an integral part of the image of a modern successful person. In search of anti-baldness remedies, many people resort to the help of a very famous and popular hair growth drug – Minoxidil.
History of Minoxidil
The history of the appearance of this drug is very interesting. It was originally created in the middle of the 20th century as a remedy for gastric ulcer, but did not give much effectiveness in combating this scourge. Then it was noted that the drug Minoxidil has a vasodilating effect and began to be used as a medicine for high blood pressure. But in the course of treatment, many patients noted an interesting side effect – the hair on the head began to grow much more intensively, becoming thicker and stronger. Around 1988, this feature was adopted by trichologists and cosmetologists. The vasodilator effect and improvement of microcirculation of blood in the scalp provide an active supply of oxygen and nutrients to the hair follicles, normalizes metabolic processes, activating hair growth. Regular use of the drug allows you to strengthen, stimulate, stop the spraying and hair loss. Today Minoxidil and various cosmetics based on it are very popular for the treatment of baldness and the prevention of androgenetic alopecia.
Androgenic alopecia most often develops in men and leads to male-type hair loss. This is due to the peculiarities of the hormonal background, in which the endocrine system in excess produces a male sex hormone – dihydrotesterone, which negatively affects the quality of the hair, causing hair loss, thinning and growth retardation.
It is worth noting that the drug Minoxidil is mainly suitable for men. As an option, you can use 2% Minoxidil. The great advantage of the drug is the lack of smell.
Common Question With Answer
What is the dangerous drug Minoxidil?
The appearance of side effects is possible from both the hair and the body as a whole. Minoxidil is a crystalline powder that is dissolved in alcohol, which considerably dries the skin and can cause seborrhea, dryness, tightness, and flaking. The harm from using Minoxidil can also be manifested by the cardiovascular system – manifestations such as dizziness, tachycardia, and chest pain are possible. An allergic reaction is also possible.
Does minoxidil stimulate the growth of gray hair?
Does minoxidil stimulate the growth of gray hair? Hair color is given by melanin pigment, which is synthesized by special cells ( melanocytes ) located in the skin. With age, melanin synthesis slows down, with the result that its amount in the hair decreases. This leads to the appearance of gray hair – first in some parts of the body, then in others. If minoxidil is used in such conditions, it will begin to stimulate the growth of hair follicles and the hair itself, but it will not affect the synthesis of melanin ( which is genetically controlled ). As a result, gray hair will start growing as fast as normal hair.
Is minoxidil effective in chemotherapy?
When chemotherapy ( treatment of malignant tumors with various medications ) minoxidil ineffective. This is explained by the mechanism of action of chemotherapeutic ( anticancer ) drugs. The fact is that a malignant tumor is mutated cells that divide ( multiply ) an infinite number of times. Antineoplastic drugs block the division of tumor cells, but also inhibit the processes of cell division in the tissues of the whole organism, including in the hair follicles, which is accompanied by hair loss. Thus, the use of Minoxidil or its analogues will be ineffective as long as a chemotherapeutic drug is present in the skin tissues.
Minoxidil for the growth of beard, stubble, eyebrows, eyelashes, hair on the chest and body
The drug effectively stimulates hair growth not only on the scalp ( for baldness ), but also in other parts of the body. Prolonged systematic use of a 2% or 5% solution ( as well as foam or lotion ) of Minoxidil stimulates the development of hair follicles in the face, promoting the growth of beard and bristles. At the same time, there is an increase in the growth rate of existing hair, as well as the emergence of new ones ( that is, the beard becomes more dense ). The same effect was observed when applying the drug to the eyebrow or chest area ( a certain increase in the number of hairs and their length is observed ), although the official instructions do not provide instructions regarding the use of the drug for similar purposes. It is not recommended to use Minoxidil to stimulate the growth of eyelashes, as the active substance and auxiliary components ( including alcohol and propylene glycol ) can get on the cornea of the eye and damage it.
What is dangerous minoxidil during pregnancy?
It is not recommended to use the drug while planning a pregnancy or carrying a child, as this may adversely affect the process of its development. Animal studies have shown that when prescribing a dose of 2 to 5 times the maximum recommended dose, fetal death of the embryo can be observed in the early stages of development. Although no clinical studies have been conducted to determine the effect of Minoxidil on the course of pregnancy in humans, the results of animal studies do not exclude the possibility of the damaging effect of the drug on the developing fetus. It is also worth noting that the systemic use of the drug ( in the form of tablets ) can lead to a pronounced decrease in blood pressure (especially overdose ). As a result, the blood supply to the placenta (the organ through which oxygen and nutrients come from the maternal organism to the fetus ) can be disrupted, which can also cause developmental disorders or even fetal death. It is also not recommended to use the drug during breastfeeding, as minoxidil is excreted in breast milk and can be absorbed into the child’s body, causing him to develop allergies or other complications.
Can I shave when using minoxidil?
Shaving during the use of the drug can be, because the process of shaving ( any razor and any number of times ) does not affect the therapeutic effect of Minoxidil. Moreover, if a long beard or bristle is grown during treatment, when applying the drug, a certain part of the active substance will linger on the hairs, not reaching the skin and hair follicle, which may slightly reduce the effectiveness of the treatment. At the same time, it is worth noting that washing the face or applying special gels or lotions to moisturize the skin after shaving can wash away Minoxidil from the skin. That is why it is recommended to apply the drug after shaving and all related procedures.
Can minoxidil be prescribed for children?
Minoxidil in any form is not recommended for children under 18 years of age. The fact is that at this age, androgenic alopecia ( alopecia caused by male sex hormones ), which is the main indication for prescribing minoxidil, is extremely rare. Therefore, if the child began to lose hair, first of all, it should identify the exact cause of the disease. It is also not recommended to use the drug for lowering blood pressure in children, as there are other, more effective medicines that have fewer adverse reactions.
Side effects
In some cases, when external application of Minoxidil is observed such manifestations:
Irritation of mucous membranes or skin, burning and itching, dandruff;
Unwanted hair growth in other areas of the body;
The development of allergies in severe forms: urticaria, rash, choking, shortness of breath, swelling of some parts of the body;
The occurrence of side effects may be caused by a high concentration of minoxidil in the preparation. When they appear, you must either temporarily stop the treatment, or switch to a lower percentage of minoxidil medication.
Very few clinical trials have been carried out, testing the harmlessness of using hair growth in the beard area. In this case, the risk of side effects increases due to the huge number of vessels in the skin of the face.
Minoxidil Result
Many people, using Minoxidil for the first time, under the influence of advertising other means (having nothing to do with reality), and also thanks to the excellent reputation of this substance, count on a very fast, almost instant positive, and very noticeable effect from its use. Unfortunately, this is not possible from a clinical point of view. The effect of minoxidil is the expansion of the capillary-vascular system in the scalp and the improvement of local blood circulation. This effect allows you to adjust the normal nutrition of microelements and beneficial substances of the hair follicles, which in turn give everything necessary to the full extent to the hair, provoking their growth and overall recovery. This process is not fast, especially where the follicles have lost hair and are in a peculiar state of rest. It takes time to wake them up. On average, the effect of minoxidil, if we talk about the first visible results, is observed after 2-4 months of regular use of the drug according to the instructions. In some cases, it is necessary to wait up to 6 months, but this is already the deadline, and if a positive effect has not been achieved at this time, the use of the drug should be stopped. True, this happens in extremely rare cases, as a rule, with genetic diseases. The maximum effect is observed after one year of regular use of Minoxidil, after which you can take a break. In some cases, it is necessary to wait up to 6 months, but this is already the deadline, and if a positive effect has not been achieved at this time, the use of the drug should be stopped. True, this happens in extremely rare cases, as a rule, with genetic diseases. The maximum effect is observed after one year of regular use of Minoxidil, after which you can take a break. In some cases, it is necessary to wait up to 6 months, but this is already the deadline, and if a positive effect has not been achieved at this time, the use of the drug should be stopped. True, this happens in extremely rare cases, as a rule, with genetic diseases. The maximum effect is observed after one year of regular use of Minoxidil, after which you can take a break.