What Is Minoxidil Used For?
Minoxidil was first used as a potent direct-acting peripheral vasodilator to lower blood pressure, but it showed a side effect of increased body hair.
Later minoxidil is widely studied and used for male baldness.
Studies had shown that about 40% of men experience hair regrowth after 3–6 months.
It must be applied indefinitely for the continued support of existing hair follicles and the maintenance of any experienced hair regrowth.
It is also used with many other ingredients to achieve better hair-growing effects.
We see many of its topical formulations fortified with finasteride, dutasteride, azelaic acid, and tretinoin in many hair-growing products.
Studies show that 0.01% of Tretinoin can double its efficacy on growing hair back.
The most well-known brands in the market for hair loss are Kirkland and Rogaine.
North America is the leading global market owing to the high adoption of hair-loss treatment products.
According to the American Hair Loss Association, over 80% of men experience hair loss by the age of 50.
Even further, over 21 million women suffer from hair loss problems and about 40% of them opt for active treatments.
The demand for minoxidil is expected to surge due to the aging global population.
According to the United Nations Economic & Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) in North & Central Asia, the population ratio aged 60 and above will increase to over 24% by 2050.
The video below explains how minoxidil works against hair loss.
The more exciting news is that with the help of other ingredients, the efficacy of minoxidil can be greatly enhanced.
There was a test conducted by scientists for the treatment of hair loss by combining tretinoin.
The reason is pretty simple: the scalp of some people who are not responding to minoxidil will respond after applying tretinoin topically for 4 days.
Minoxidil 2% vs 5% vs 10% on Hair-Growth
There are two common specifications of its topical formulations in the market:
2% type and 5% type, either as topical solutions or aerosol foams or topical liquids.
You may wonder to yourself: which brand is the best for receding hairline and which specification and form should you choose for better hair regrowth.
According to one study conducted by Duke Dermatopharmacology Study Center in 2002, it showed that In men with AGA (Androgenetic Alopecia), Its 5% topical was superior to the 2% placebo in increasing hair regrowth, and the magnitude of its effect was marked (45% more hair regrowth than 2% topical at week 48).
Men who used the 5% topical also had an earlier response to treatment than those who used 2% topical.
Psychosocial perceptions of hair loss in men with AGA were also improved.
Its topical form (5% and 2%) was well tolerated by the men in this trial without evidence of systemic effects.
Its 2% topical solution was approved for the first time in 1991 to treat female hair loss by Upjohn, applied twice daily.
In more recent years, its first 5% foam for women was approved in 2014, applied once daily.
5% foam no doubt costs less time and is more convenient to apply.
There was one study showing that patients using 5% foam had a mean 32-hair/cm2 or 16% increase, not significantly different from the 14% increase documented in women on the 2% topical solution.
But a 2% difference is better than nothing right?
Polls are showing that women prefer 5% foam to 2% topical solution in general.
By comparison, we conclude that topical 5% works better than 2% for hair growth in both men and women, and the 5% solution was found to be more effective than 2% in maintaining existing hair and regrowing lost hair.
In general, the scientists find that the higher the concentration, the better the effect in terms of treating androgenetic alopecia.
So now you have your answer, choose the brands with higher concentrations.
However, the higher the concentration is, there will be an increased risk of adverse side effects.
Currently, we can only see 10% even 15% of formulations in the market, concentrations higher than 15% are not seen yet.
Please be cautious when you are thinking about switching to a higher concentration though, and consult your doctor immediately before you make any decisions.
Is Minoxidil Suitable For Beard Growth?
Partially influenced by beard-star James Harden from NBA, growing a thick beard is getting more and more popular.
Are there any finished topical formulations in the market for growing a thick beard?
The ‘official’ answer is NO, as there is no approved formulation in any FDA for beard growth.
But there are many successful cases of men applying it to their faces to get their thick beards.
You can grow your beard by using any of its topical formulations on the market such as Rogaine, Kirkland, Equate, Tugain, Lipogaine, NO Problem!!!
To sum it up: Minoxidil is not only used to lower your blood pressure, it is also made into topical formulations for hair-growth.
If you ever need it, contact us for it anytime!