Minoxidil for Hair Loss

admin    Hair Loss Treatments, Minoxidil    

Minoxidil is the key active ingredient in Rogaine and Regaine which are OTC treatments for hair loss and is the only topical treatment approved by the FDA for use in treating hair loss in both men and women.  It is the scientific hypothesis that Minoxidil acts directly on hair follicles to promote the development of fiber.  It was originally developed as a prescription pharmaceutical drug for the treatment of hypertension.  Although it is still unclear what the exact mechanism is for treatment of hair loss, the effectiveness is not in question.  Topical treatments formulated with Minoxidil have proven to be successful in a significant percentage of individuals using the product.

Minoxidil for Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia

Androgenetic Alopecia is most commonly referred to as pattern baldness or pattern hair loss.  It is genetic and can be evidenced in both men and women.  Minoxidil is the only topical treatment that is approved by the FDA for the treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia.  While it is used for other forms of alopecia, it has truly only been ‘approved’ for this inherited hair loss disorder.  The manner in which the treatment works is best understood in terms of the male hormone testosterone which is the precursor to Dihydrotestosterone (DHT).  When too much DHT is secreted in the hair follicle, that follicle shrinks and eventually disintegrates which results in baldness.  Minoxidil effectively treats this type of hair loss by enlarging the follicle thereby counteracting the shrinkage caused by DHT.  This allows the hair to grow, thereby promoting re-growth and delaying baldness.  Minoxidil as a treatment for pattern baldness is most effective when applied before the total destruction of the follicle.

Minoxidil for Treatment of Alopecia Areata

It is unclear both from a scientific or a medical perspective as to exactly what causes this non-scarring type of hair loss but it is commonly held that it is a genetic autoimmune disorder wherein the immune system targets the hair follicle and actually starts attacking it.  While there are anti-inflammatory corticosteroids that have been traditionally used to treat Alopecia Areata, Minoxidil is currently in the experimental stages for use as a treatment for this autoimmune hair loss disorder.  Minoxidil is actually in a class of treatments known as potassium channel openers and to date is the only approved treatment in this class of pharmaceuticals that are known to treat hypertension for which the drug was originally developed.  Although its effect on treating this type of hair loss is still not fully understood, it has been clinically proven to be an effective treatment for Alopecia Areata.

It is the conclusion of the medical community that the OTC, non-prescription strength Minoxidil is effective in the treatment of at least these two types of hair loss.  Pattern Baldness, Androgenetic Alopecia, is far more common and as such the use of Minoxidil in treatments for this form of alopecia is much more widespread.  Alopecia Areata only accounts for approximately 2% of all hair loss cases and even that percentage is often in question.  Although Minoxidil has been found to be an effective treatment in this form of hair loss, it has yet to be approved by the FDA as a bona fide treatment.

Since there are various types of hair loss it is always advised to get an accurate diagnosis prior to using any treatments.  The treatment of choice is dependent on the diagnosis which only a qualified physician can make.

If you enjoyed this article please consider sharing it!