Starting point
4 months of using minoxidil 5%
As with everything else in life, things works differently for different people. For me minoxidil 5% worked very very well. As you can see in my before and after pictures above I got great results from only 4 months of using it. Before using minoxidil my hairline was receding a lot. Now I have experienced a lot of new hair growth and I am also experiencing a lot less shedding. I apply it to my receding areas every morning and every evening.
Minoxidil is a medication primarily used to promote hair growth. It was initially developed as an oral medication for high blood pressure (hypertension), but its side effect of stimulating hair growth was observed, leading to its use as a topical treatment for hair loss.
How does minoxidil work? The exact mechanism of how minoxidil promotes hair growth is not fully understood, but it is believed to work by widening blood vessels and improving blood flow in the scalp. It is a vasodilator, which means it relaxes and expands blood vessels. This increased blood flow may nourish hair follicles and stimulate hair growth in individuals with certain types of hair loss.
Uses and effectiveness of minoxidil:
Minoxidil is primarily used for two common types of hair loss:
a. Androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness): This is the most common type of hair loss in men and women. It is characterized by a receding hairline and thinning of hair on the scalp. Minoxidil is most effective in promoting hair regrowth in individuals with early stages of androgenetic alopecia. This is the case of my hair loss. I started to use minoxidil 5% fairly early after experiencing hair loss in order to try to increase hair growth as good as possible.
b. Alopecia areata: This is an autoimmune condition that leads to patchy hair loss on the scalp or other parts of the body. Minoxidil may help stimulate hair regrowth in some cases, but its effectiveness can vary.
It's important to note that minoxidil does not work for everyone, and the degree of hair regrowth can differ from person to person. It is more likely to be effective in individuals with recent-onset hair loss and in areas where hair follicles are still active.
Minoxidil is available as a topical solution or foam that is applied directly to the scalp. It is typically used twice daily, and results may be visible after several months of consistent use.
The timeline for seeing noticeable results with minoxidil can vary from person to person. In general, it typically takes several months of consistent use before you can expect to see significant improvements in hair growth. Here's a rough guideline:
First Few Weeks: During the initial weeks of using minoxidil, you may not notice any visible changes in hair growth. Some individuals may experience increased shedding initially, which can be concerning but is often a sign that the hair growth cycle is resetting.
2-3 Months: At this stage, you may begin to see subtle changes, such as thicker and longer hairs in areas of thinning. However, the results are usually modest.
4-6 Months: This is when most people start to notice more significant improvements in hair density. You may see fuller coverage and increased hair growth in areas that were previously thinning.
Beyond 6 Months: Continued use of minoxidil beyond six months can lead to even more substantial results. Some individuals report peak improvements between 6 and 12 months of consistent use.
It's important to emphasize that patience is crucial when using minoxidil. Hair growth is a slow process, and individual responses can vary. Some people may experience faster results, while others may take longer to see noticeable changes. Consistency in applying minoxidil as directed is essential for optimal outcomes.
Additionally, keep in mind that minoxidil is most effective for individuals with androgenetic alopecia (male or female pattern baldness). It may be less effective for other types of hair loss or more advanced stages of baldness. If you have concerns about your progress with minoxidil or experience any side effects, it's advisable to consult with a healthcare professional or dermatologist for personalized guidance.
If hair growth is achieved, continued use is necessary to maintain the results. If minoxidil is discontinued, any new hair growth may be lost within a few months.
As with any medication, minoxidil may have side effects, such as scalp irritation, itching, and dryness. In rare cases, individuals may experience more severe reactions, and it is essential to consult with a healthcare professional before starting minoxidil treatment, especially if you have any underlying medical conditions or are taking other medications.
Minoxidil can regrow hair, but its effects are not typically permanent. Continuous use is required to maintain the newly grown hair, and stopping its use may result in gradual hair thinning and potential return to the previous state of hair loss. Minoxidil works by stimulating hair follicles, promoting thicker and longer hair growth. However, once you discontinue its use, the benefits tend to diminish, and the regrown hair may gradually thin and possibly return to its previous state of hair loss. It's important to consider minoxidil as a maintenance treatment for ongoing hair health rather than a permanent solution.
Before using minoxidil it is worth considering a few things. Eventhough it is a over the counter medicine there are many factors to consider before just buying it an applying it.
You have to use it for life:
When you start using minoxidil and seeing results, you will have to keep using it to keep those results. Here are some reasons to why that is.
Temporary effect on hair follicles: Minoxidil works by improving blood flow to the scalp and hair follicles, which may nourish hair follicles and stimulate hair growth. However, it does not fundamentally alter the underlying cause of hair loss (such as genetic factors or hormonal imbalances). As a result, the effects of minoxidil are generally temporary.
Dependency on continued application: Hair growth stimulated by minoxidil is not permanent, and it is dependent on continuous application of the medication. If you stop using minoxidil, the positive effects it has on hair growth may gradually diminish over time, and hair loss may resume.
Hair growth cycle: Hair growth occurs in cycles, and minoxidil affects hair follicles during their active growth phase (anagen). When minoxidil is applied, it may extend the duration of the anagen phase, leading to increased hair growth. However, when you discontinue using minoxidil, the hair follicles may revert to their natural growth cycle, and the hair may become thinner and shorter again.
Reversibility of hair follicle stimulation: Minoxidil's effects on hair growth are not permanent because it doesn't alter the sensitivity of hair follicles to factors like DHT (dihydrotestosterone), which is a key hormone involved in male pattern baldness. As a person with male pattern baldness continues to produce DHT, the hair follicles' sensitivity to it remains unchanged, and they can gradually become more susceptible to miniaturization and hair loss.
You can buy minoxidil at various places, including pharmacies, drugstores, online retailers, and some supermarkets, you can even buy it at Walmart. It is available over-the-counter, but it's essential to follow the product's instructions and consult a healthcare professional if you have any questions or concerns about using minoxidil for hair growth. There are also more products worth considering to improve hair growth and to stop your hair loss. Read my step by step guide on how I combined different products to get my results in this article.
This subject is debated and I am not sure about the science behind it. All I can tell you is that I have been using minoxidil for beard growth and i can tell you that I have gotten great results in 4 months. I went from having a patchy beard to a much fuller beard. Minoxidil helps to expand blood vessles which can promote hair growth. So with that being said, for me, it did the same to my beard. Read more about my beard growth journey here.
Starting point
4 months of using minoxidil 5%
There are plenty of causes of hair loss. With that being said it is very important to do your research on why you might be losing your hair. Are you really losing your hair or is the quality of your hair just low? I have a lot of articles on this website regarding different topic connected to this. Here are the top 3 articles I will suggest for you if you liked this one.
1. My guide on how to regrow hair and stop hair loss
2. Causes of hair loss (alopecia)
3. Top 7 foods to include to your diet for hair and or beard growth
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