Topical Minoxidil treatment for hair loss works best on the onset of pattern baldness. Upon application, hairs which underwent telogen phase will shed off for a longer time than the normal period. This is only a temporary loss since after a few weeks, new hair should already grow again.

Since Minoxidil is a vasodilator, it widens the passage of the blood that goes to the scalp. During the course of treatment, the patient may experience eye irritation, scalp itching and swelling, nausea, or shortness of breath. Furthermore, it is contraindicated in pregnant and lactating women.

Minoxidil is a potent treatment for hair loss in women. Women may benefit more positively from this treatment than men in that it is seen to be more effective in restoring hair in the central areas of the scalp, not frontal hairs. Minoxidil therapy should be done on a regular basis.

Minoxidil, the first FDA-approved medication for hair loss, is the active agent present in products for hair loss such as Rogaine and Avacor. It was first marketed as an anti-hypertension drug. As it is known, hair loss happens because hair follicles don’t get enough nutrients needed to regrow hair. Because it increases the blood supply, it became a popular treatment for hair loss.

Minoxidil comes as an oral and/or a topical solution. Two percent of Minoxidil is a licensed treatment for female pattern baldness while a 5% solution is for male pattern baldness. While Minoxidil is a safe treatment, it appeared to produce side-effects such as scalp and eye irritation or such other allergic reactions. Cardiovascular effects such as palpitations and chest pains are also possible, including death.

Minoxidil is a topical solution applied on the balding region twice a day. It stimulates and enlarges miniaturized hair follicles. Like other hair loss treatments, Minoxidil compels hair follicles to go into growth phase. On the other hand, Minoxidil lotion doesn’t inhibit dihydrotestosterone (DHT) production. DHT is the hair loss-causing hormone mostly present among men. Also, it has several known side-effects.

Unlike Minoxidil lotion, Finasteride is a DHT inhibitor of type II 5- alpha reductase. It is an oral treatment and is only recommended to men. Finasteride is not prescribed to pregnant women since it causes abnormalities to a male fetus.