Minoxidil for hair loss in Turkey

Minoxidil for Hair Loss

Everyone loses their hair, no really we all lose 100-150 strands of hair daily just like our pet friends friends we also shed our furs. Our hair cycle continues: old replaces the new. However for some the loss is extreme and the process of hair renewal is not enough. That is when people reach out to hair clinics, there must be something to do to make your hair denser, longer and healthier. One such solution is Minoxidil.

 

Anyone who has ever wondered about hair loss has come across a medicine called minoxidil at some point. Minoxidil is used to stimulate hair regrowth and can be taken orally and topically. The correlation between minoxidil and hair growth is still being researched and is not yet certainly identifiable but it is known that Minoxidil enhances blood vessels around hair follicles and therefore encourages stimuli for the root of the hair. Continue reading to find out how to use minoxidil, potential side effects and some before and after photos from patients who have used minoxidil. 

How to use minoxidil

How to use minoxidil for hair loss?

 

Minoxidil can be used in two ways: orally or topically. Some patients are advised to take it in the form of tablets or capsules. These come in 2.5, 5 and 10 mgs and depending on the extremity of hair loss and overall health of the patient the doctor will prescribe the sufficient amount.

Minoxidil is also used topically and by application to the target area. There are solutions, sprays and foams that contain adequate amounts of minoxidil. Depending on the severity of their hair loss and the possible patchiness in hair the doctor will recommend a regimen of once a day. You can directly spray to the target area or apply on your hands to administer an equal distribution.

 

Which one is better: oral vs topical minoxidil?

 

Regardless of the choice of consumption both oral and topical administrations of minoxidil are equally effective. Oral consumption allows a steady dosage and is easier to administer. With topical minoxidil you can target an area and focus your application to a single area and control how you apply this medicine.

How long does minoxidil take to work?

 

As with any medicinal treatment, consistency is key to its success. With consistent consumption minoxidil is said to work around the 2 month mark. Usually around 4 months the most significant changes can be observed. For the first couple of months the patient should be patient and trust the process, as long as they keep taking/applying minoxidil regularly they should be able to see results soon. 

 

Does minoxidil work for beard?

Beards are basically hair on your chin so yes, minoxidil will work for your beard. With consistent application or consumption you should see results around the 2 month mark.

 

Does minoxidil work for eyebrows?

Indeed, minoxidil also works wonders for your eyebrow hairs. In fact this study conducted in 2013 shows that application of 2% minoxidil topically to your eyebrows showed signs of fullness and thickness along with generation of new hair in just 16 weeks. 

Minoxidil side effects

What are minoxidil side effects?

 

Even though it is FDA approved, consumption of Minoxidil can have some side effects, just as any medicine can. If you experience any symptoms of extreme sweating, pain in chest area or ligh-headedness contact your doctor immediately as you might be having a reaction.

 

There is also a risk of skin irritation, you may experience some itchiness or even mild burning. The skin irritation can also be an allergic reaction and the patient may experience swelling and redness. In such cases you may cease using the medication and contact your doctor immediately.

 

As it is an enhancing and rejuvenating hair growth treatment it may affect other hairs on your body that you may not want enhanced. Spreading the solution beyond the target area may cause unwanted hair growth. In such cases the patient needs to be mindful of where they are administering the minoxidil.

Can women use minoxidil?

 

Of course, minoxidil is not a gender specific treatment. Both men and women can opt for minoxidil as a possible treatment method in their hair recovery journey. Usually the dosage is different from person to person and from hair to hair. This clinical trial looks at different doses of minoxidil effect hair growth for women with female pattern hair loss. 

 

Is minoxidil safe for women?

Yes, minoxidil is safe for female consumption. However consumption of minoxidil in any form during pregnancy is not advised as it may be toxic for the baby.  

minoxidil for women

Which one is better: finasteride or minoxidil?

 

One other medication that might pop in your research of hair loss recovery is finasteride. Finasteride is an orally administered medication that disables your body from converting testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT) which is the hormone that affects pattern baldness in both men and women. Some patients are prescribed this method in order to effectively target pattern baldness however it is usually not recommended for women as it interferes with hormones. Minoxidil is considered to be an alternative to Finasteride that doesn’t interfere with hormones making it an option for both men and women. 

 

While Minoxidil does not require prescriptions and can be sold as an over the counter medicine, Finasteride can only be prescribed by your doctor after checking blood work and making sure that the baldness or extreme loss is not caused by other hormones or conditions. If hair loss is not caused by pattern baldness then Finasteride won’t be solving your hair loss or balding problems. Minoxidil on the other hand is much more therapeutic and widespread than Finasteride and available to a wide range of patients. 

 

 

Should I start minoxidil or finasteride first?

 

Whether minoxidil or finasteride is the correct method of treatment for you can only be determined by your doctor. The doctor needs to make sure to pinpoint the reason behind your hair loss because finasteride may not be beneficial for you. Do not start using any medication without consulting a healthcare professional first as it may hinder your hair recovery journey and even overall health.

Minoxidil Before and After Results

 

The best way to assure the success of Minoxidil is by looking at real patient results. Go over testimonials and before and after photos from patients of various hair textures and hair backgrounds. Here are some before and after results that show how effective minoxidil is when administered regularly and in correct dosage.

FAQs About Minoxidil for Hair Loss

No, minoxidil does not cause hair loss. However during the first two weeks there might be some additional shock loss, which your doctor will warn you about. You can consider this as getting rid of weak hair to generate healthier and newer hair. Do not fret, this is temporary and around the 2-3 month mark of regular use you will see thicker and healthier new hair growth in the target area.

Minoxidil is applied to the scalp instead of the main body of the hair. And since it is administered in the scalp there is no problem with combing your hair after applying minoxidil. 

Minoxidil aims to prolong the stage of rejuvenation by administration meaning as long as it is used it will be effective. However when you stop you may see that your hair may lose its regeneration rhythm and even experience some shedding. In some extreme cases the patient’s pattern balding has returned. In such cases your doctor will recommend another treatment or even an operation to secure a more permanent hairline.

Minoxidil has been known to increase hair growth in the hairline however if the receding is too extreme it can not stimulate desired growth. For extremely receded hairlines minoxidil may not be as effective as it can be in other parts of the scalp.

It is never too late to use minoxidil, as long as there are viable hair follicles in the target area. However the medication dosage and administration may change for people over the age of 65 so consult your doctor for the correct method and application.

Using minoxidil without signs of balding or extreme hair loss is not a great approach. It might be unnecessary and even harmful as it is not recommended by a healthcare professional. If you want to increase the viability of your hair but are not seeing signs of pattern baldness you should consult a dermatologist or an aesthetician. 

No, you should not consume minoxidil both orally and topically at the same time. The dosage and contraception determined for you by your doctor will suffice for the desired regrowth of hair and increase in hair density.