{"id":1661,"date":"2024-03-15T05:38:48","date_gmt":"2024-03-15T05:38:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.webpressglobal.com\/?p=1661"},"modified":"2024-03-15T05:38:48","modified_gmt":"2024-03-15T05:38:48","slug":"what-is-minoxidil-the-anti-balding-hair-growth-treatment-heres-what-the-science-says","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.webpressglobal.com\/health\/what-is-minoxidil-the-anti-balding-hair-growth-treatment-heres-what-the-science-says\/","title":{"rendered":"What is minoxidil, the anti-balding hair growth treatment? Here\u2019s what the science says"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Hair loss (also known as alopecia) often affects the scalp but can occur anywhere on the body. It\u2019s very common and usually nothing to worry about; about\u00a0half of Australian men\u00a0show signs of visible baldness at age 50 and\u00a0over a quarter of Australian women\u00a0report hair thinning by the same age. It\u2019s often genetic.<\/p>\n

But if you\u2019ve noticed hair loss and are worried about it, see a GP or dermatologist for a diagnosis before trying any treatments. Products claiming to reverse hair loss are everywhere, but few have been scientifically tested for how well they work.<\/p>\n

One group of products that have been scientifically tested, however, are known as topical minoxidil products. These include products such as Regaine\u00ae.<\/p>\n

So, do they work? Here\u2019s what the research evidence says, what you can realistically expect, and what you need to know if you\u2019re considering this treatment.<\/p>\n

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What is minoxidil \u2013 and does it work?<\/h2>\n

Topical minoxidil usually comes as a kind of foam or serum you apply to your scalp.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s been approved by the\u00a0Therapeutic Goods Administration, Australia\u2019s regulatory authority for therapeutic goods, for the treatment of hereditary hair loss in males and females. Minoxidil is also available in tablet form, but this isn\u2019t currently approved for hair loss (more on that later).<\/p>\n

So, is topical minoxidil effective? In short \u2013 yes, but the results vary widely from person to person, and it needs to be used consistently over several months to see results.<\/p>\n

Scientists don\u2019t know exactly how minoxidil works. It may affect the different phases of the hair life cycle, thereby encouraging growth. It also\u00a0opens up blood vessels\u00a0near hair follicles.<\/p>\n

This increases blood flow, which in turn delivers more oxygen and nutrients to the hair.<\/p>\n

While minoxidil is unlikely to restore a full head of thick, lush, hair, it can slow down hair loss and can\u00a0stimulate regrowth.<\/p>\n

It is the over-the-counter option with the most evidence. Two strengths are available: 5% and 2%.<\/p>\n

An analysis of randomized controlled trials found minoxidil applied to the scalp twice a day increased the number of hairs per square centimeter by eight to 15 hairs, with the higher-strength treatment having a slightly greater effect.<\/p>\n

Can I use it for non-genetic balding?<\/h2>\n

There are many causes of hair loss. The main cause in both males and females is a hereditary condition called androgenic alopecia.<\/p>\n

Although topical minoxidil is only approved for use in Australia for androgenic alopecia, there is some evidence it can also help in other conditions that cause hair loss.<\/p>\n

For example, it may hasten hair regrowth in patients who have lost hair due to\u00a0chemotherapy.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, minoxidil is not effective when the hair follicle is gone, like after a burn injury.<\/p>\n

Although small studies have found promising results using minoxidil to promote hair growth on the face (for\u00a0beard\u00a0or\u00a0eyebrow\u00a0enhancement), topical minoxidil products are not currently approved for this use. More research is required.<\/p>\n

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What else do I need to know?<\/h2>\n

Minoxidil won\u2019t work well for everyone. Early in treatment, you might notice a temporary increase in hair shedding, as it alters the hair cycle to make way for new growth. Minoxidil needs to be trialed for three to six months to determine if it\u2019s effective.<\/p>\n

As it doesn\u2019t cure hair loss, you must continue\u00a0to use it each day to maintain the effect. If you stop, you will start losing the new hair growth\u00a0within three to four months.<\/p>\n

Minoxidil products may not be suitable for everyone. If you have any medical conditions or take any medications, you should speak with your doctor or pharmacist before using minoxidil products.<\/p>\n

It has not been tested for safety in\u00a0people under 18, over 65, or those who are pregnant.<\/p>\n

You can read the\u00a0consumer medicines information sheet\u00a0for more information about using over-the-counter minoxidil products.<\/p>\n

Many people do not like to use minoxidil solutions or foams long-term because they need to be applied everyday day, which can be inconvenient. Or they may notice side effects, such as scalp irritation and changes to hair texture.<\/p>\n

Some people\u00a0tolerate the foam products better\u00a0than the solution, as the solution contains more of a compound called propylene glycol (which can irritate the skin).<\/p>\n

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What about the oral tablet form of minoxidil?<\/h2>\n

Minoxidil is also available on prescription as an oral tablet. While traditionally used for high blood pressure, it has also been used as a treatment for hair loss.<\/p>\n

In 2020, a\u00a0systematic review\u00a0identified 17 studies involving 634 patients using oral minoxidil for various hair loss conditions.<\/p>\n

The authors found oral minoxidil was effective and generally well tolerated in healthy people who were having trouble using the topical products.<\/p>\n

The review noted oral minoxidil may increase hair growth over the whole body and may cause heart-related side effects in some patients. More research is required.<\/p>\n

In Australia, oral minoxidil is available under the trade name\u00a0Loniten\u00ae. However, it is currently only approved for use in high blood pressure.<\/p>\n

When people seek a prescription treatment for a non-approved purpose, this is called \u201coff-label\u201d prescribing. Off-label prescribing of oral minoxidil, potentially for use in alopecia, may have contributed to\u00a0shortages of Loniten\u00ae tablets in recent years. This can reduce the availability of this medicine for people who need it for high blood pressure.<\/p>\n

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Hair loss (also known as alopecia) often affects the scalp but can occur anywhere on the body. It\u2019s very common and usually nothing to worry about; about\u00a0half of Australian men\u00a0show signs of visible baldness at age 50 and\u00a0over a quarter of Australian women\u00a0report hair thinning by the same age. It\u2019s often genetic. But if you\u2019ve […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1662,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[69],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.webpressglobal.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1661"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.webpressglobal.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.webpressglobal.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.webpressglobal.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.webpressglobal.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1661"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.webpressglobal.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1661\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1664,"href":"https:\/\/www.webpressglobal.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1661\/revisions\/1664"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.webpressglobal.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1662"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.webpressglobal.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1661"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.webpressglobal.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1661"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.webpressglobal.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1661"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}