Rogaine can treat hair loss from androgenetic alopecia, also known as male or female pattern hair loss (FPHL). Minoxidil, on the other hand, can be highly effective at preventing female hair loss. In this article, we will give you the down-low on the difference between the male and female Minoxidil formulas, how Minoxidil works for women, how to use it, and where to find it. But, in 2014, Rogaine released a stronger 5% foam formulation for women. Other studies show that about 60% of women who use minoxidil report some level of new hair growth, compared to just 40% of women given a placebo. The FDA has approved two formulations of minoxidil for use in women: 2% topical solution and 5% topical foam. As youll quickly find out or as youve already discovered you have to plan your life AROUND Minoxidil use, rather than have the drug fit into your busy lifestyle. Minoxidil may stimulate the growth of human hairs by prolonging anagen through these proliferative and anti-apoptotic effects on DPCs. Treats hair disorders: Minoxidil is shown to be effective in promoting hair regrowth and density in . Would it be efficient only for maintaining? But, this is actually just the NEW growing hairs pushing out the OLD shedding hairs, so this is a good thing. Do not use a hairdryer to dry the scalp after you apply minoxidil solution. Below, we will cover one of the most common hair loss treatments for women -- Minoxidil. Potential fetal development impairment, Medications that may interact with Rogaine in women, Talk with a doctor if youre concerned about hair loss, chemm.nlm.nih.gov/pregnancycategories.htm, accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2015/018154s026lbl.pdf, jcdr.net/article_fulltext.asp?issn=0973-709x&year=2015&volume=9&issue=9&page=WE01&issn=0973-709x&id=6492, accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/appletter/2014/021812Orig1s009ltr.pdf, accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2012/020788s020s021s023lbl.pdf, Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT, A New $330 RNA Hair Loss Product Just Went on Sale in Europe What to Know About CosmeRNA, Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI. Its not uncommon for women to temporarily lose their hair after giving birth. About 40 percent of women deal with some degree of FPHL by the time theyre 50. 5 Question Erectile Dysfunction Self Test Tool, What is Telemedicine? The drug was synthesized among many others to create a viable solution for patients suffering from hypertension and the high blood pressure that followed it. Apply the amount prescribed to the area of the scalp being treated, beginning in the center of the area. The mans blood pressure returned to a normal range after discontinuing use of the cream. But dont worry because this is often temporary. Minoxidil is a topical treatment that's clinically proven to slow hair loss and promote hair growth for men experiencing male pattern baldness. In very rare cases, you can develop generalized hypertrichosis, which is increased hair growth in areas not directly exposed to the treatment. Minoxidil works as a vasodilator. mountain | and the mountains disappeared - day 2 || a covenant day of great help || 30th may 2023 Not sure which products are right for you? It not only hampers the visual appearance but can also lower condence. Familiarizing ones self with the pros and cons is not enough to make a medical decision especially when it comes to hair loss. Minoxidil is the active ingredient in the popular over-the-counter medication, Rogaine. It's recommended that women use minoxidil 2%, while men can use the 5% formula. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which Can a Woman Use 5% Minoxidil for Men? Opill, a progestin-only contraceptive, would be the first birth control pill available without a prescription, and could help reduce unintended pregnancy Women are turning to TikTok to share their stories of difficulty getting a diagnosis for ovarian cysts, which can twist or rupture if left untreated. Be sure to not double your doses of minoxidil to make up for any missed doses. You can find Minoxidil over the counter in 2% and 5% strengths. If you miss a dose of this medicine, apply it as soon as possible. It is a growth stimulant, meaning it will only work on the follicle growth receptors and will not target the actual problem. But once scientists figured out Minoxidil had a side effect of growing unwanted hair in select parts of their bodies, efforts were re-directed to formulate the compound as a solution for hair loss. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Additionally, because it uses alcohol as a base, it can irritate your skin, cause flaking, and be more difficult for some individuals to tolerate. And in up to a quarter of the women who take it, minoxidil can actually encourage new hair to . Minoxidil can stain clothing, hats, or bed linen if your hair or scalp is not fully dry after using the medicine.. Demographics of women with female pattern hair loss and the effectiveness of spironolactone therapy. Allow product to fully dry, and do not wear hats or head coverings over the treatment for best results. Last medically reviewed on December 4, 2020. While hair loss is mainly thought of as a predominantly male affliction, it turns out that up to 40% of hair loss sufferers are women. To share ideas with other hair loss sufferers visit the Hair Restoration Social Network and Enhanced Discussion Forum. In rare situations, patients may experience weight gain, swelling, trouble breathing, increased heart rate, chest pain, and lightheadedness. If your scalp becomes abraded, irritated, or sunburned, check with your doctor before applying minoxidil. If you have naturally light and thin hair, even a small amount of hair loss can have a huge impact on your appearance. For the first time in history, patients could use Minoxidil without requiring a doctors prescription. When buying Minoxidil over-the-counter, you will be able to purchase a 5% Minoxidil solution or a 2% Minoxidil solution. 6 Great Vaginal Dryness Treatments: Which Is Best for You? Keep this medicine away from the eyes, nose, and mouth. The FDA has approved the use of 5% minoxidil in foam form for women, but the jury is still out on the 5% minoxidil solution. While almost everyone is familiar with male pattern baldness, far fewer people are aware of hair loss in women, even though 40% of women will encounter some level of hair loss by age 50. Read our guide about the other two treatments for female hair loss, both of which can be safely used with minoxidil for optimal results. Rogaine can help women treat genetic hair loss. Rogaine does not help all women but does help a significant proportion of women with the early stages of genetic hair loss. Telogen effluvium: A review. Each hair grows for up to six years, then it stops growing, rests for a while, and eventually falls out and is replaced by a new hair that grows for six years. Although its fairly rare, its possible to develop an allergic reaction to Rogaine. Recovered 65% But Still Have Wide Part Lines? Projected to exceed $162 million per year in sales since 1999, the global market for this medication alone is forecasted to be worth $1.2 billion USD by 2024. There are also some other Minoxidil side effects for women you should be aware of if you are considering using Minoxidil for your hair loss. This is much less likely with foam formulations. Using medications like minoxidil, it may be possible to bring back some or all of the hair youve lost over the past few years. information highlighted below and resubmit the form. Minoxidil topical may cause serious side effects. Save 40% when you buy the entire hair kit. Androgenetic alopecia is female-pattern baldness or hair loss caused by genetics (family history). I suppose you could use daily then once you got what you want, try EOD. Allergy symptoms usually appear quickly and include: Its possible to be allergic to minoxidil itself or another ingredient found in Rogaine called propylene glycol. Do not use for customer service inquires. Do not use the foam near heat or open flame, or while smoking. Used for. There are a number of treatment options, and Minoxidil (the generic name for Rogaine) is one of the least expensive ones and is considered safe. Then, a U.S. compounding pharmacy will make your medication and ship it to your front door with our free shipping. It works by prolonging the growth phase of the hair follicles, Yang says. Minoxidil (also known by its trade name Rogaine) may be well-known as a hair loss drug, but it was originally developed as a vasodilator in the early 1960s. The oral medication finasteride is FDA-approved for men over the age of 18 to treat hair loss. Call your doctor at once if you have: severe scalp irritation; unwanted growth of facial hair; chest pain, fast heartbeats; swelling in your hands or feet, rapid weight gain; a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out; headache, dizziness, confusion; or. Learn where to get reliable birth control information A draft opinion from the U.S. Supreme Court striking down the federal right to abortion guaranteed under Roe v. Wade would leave it up to individual states FDA Warns of Safety Issues With Compounded Forms of Semaglutide, New Study Finds DOs and MDs Provide the Same Level of Care in Older Adults. Minoxidil applied to the scalp is used to stimulate hair growth in adult men and women with a certain type of baldness. In a one-year observational study, 62 percent of the 984 men using 5 percent minoxidil reported a reduction in hair loss., In one double-blind study, 19 percent of women ages 18 to 45 using Rogaine for eight months reported moderate hair regrowth, while 40 percent had minimal growth (compared to 7 percent and 33 percent for placebo, respectively).. During this phase, the hair grows from barely visible to its full length. Luckily, there are things you can do to combat hair loss. Do not shampoo your hair for 4 hours after applying minoxidil. If hair restoration is a top priority for you, youll definitely want to check out Vantis Institute in Newport Beach.. You spend ONE fee for 4-6 treatments that will add up to much less than the $2,000/year you will spend on constantly re-filling your supply of Minoxidil. Does biotin shampoo help thinning hair? As with any other drug or medication, it turns out that Minoxidil is NOT the optimal choice for select individuals. Use your fingers to spread the foam over the hair loss area and gently massage into your scalp. Make sure your hair and scalp are completely dry before applying this medicine. There are a number of conditions you have to watch out for when applying Minoxidil to your scalp, both before and after: Make sure your hair and scalp are completely dry before applying this medicine (i.e. Want to learn more about treating female hair loss? "Minoxidil is thought to promote the survival of human dermal papillary cells (DPCs) or hair cells by activating both extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and Akt and by preventing cell death by increasing the ratio of BCl-2/Bax. They are as follows: Minoxidil 5% topical foam: Apply capful once daily. Rogaine usually has an insignificant effect on your blood pressure, but some people may experience more severe symptoms. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could Minoxidil is one of those ingredients that is able to be used in both men and women for hair loss treatment. Youll also notice a 10x boost in hair density and thickness with each treatment, which would take an entire lifetime with Minoxidil. Just make sure to reduce the contact with your face, otherwise, you may have lustrous hair growth where you dont want lustrous hair growth. Minoxidil, when used as a vasodilator, acts by opening adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium channels in vascular smooth muscle cells. While women rarely lose all of their hair, and their hairline is generally kept intact, a diffuse thinning over the entire head is all too common. All rights reserved. While it's effective at stopping hair loss, women need to know about this drug's potential side effects. Does saw palmetto shampoo work for female hair loss? Be aware there is often an initial shed that occurs when starting any minoxidil product which is transient. Contact dermatitis usually occurs within minutes to hours after application. Do not shampoo your hair for 4 hours after applying minoxidil. All rights reserved. This is detailed more in our blog on hair growth rate by age. What is the shelf life of Men's ROGAINE products? This can be frustrating as you struggle to find ways to address your hair loss. The FDA has approved the use of 5% minoxidil in foam form for women, but the jury is still out on the 5% minoxidil solution. 08. And when you read the studies done on men and women using Minoxidil to grow new hair, the results are disappointing: In the large clinical studythat led to the drugs approval in 1987, 40 percent of men had moderate to dense hair growth on the crown of their head. We will review if it can work for women, if there is a difference between the Minoxidil for men and the one for women, and cover how it works, how to use it, any potential side effects, and where to buy some. Is your hair starting to thin? So far the trade-off doesnt appear to be worth it! I am sorry for your distress. Should I Choose an FUE or FUT Hair Transplant? For some, it can make things worse before there are visible improvements. Finasteride is particularly dangerous for women who are pregnant, since it may harm male fetuses. Learn More:Why Minoxidil Shedding Is A Good Sign. Rogaine is the only topical ingredient approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for regrowing hair. Not all hair loss is due to genetics. There is a problem with Finally, I would definitely consult with a hair specialist to make sure you are on the right treatment and to look for any reversible causes of your hair loss. A hairy fall: Syncope resulting from topical application of minoxidil. Opill on Track to Become First Birth Control Pill Available Without a Prescription, Stories About Large Ovarian Cysts Are Getting Millions of Views on TikTok, 7 Popular Supplements That May Have Hidden Dangers, FDA Says Morning-After Pill Isnt Abortion, Womens Health Worsened in 2021 as Many Women Lack Access to Health Screenings and Preventive Care, Estrogen: Types, Replacement Therapies, and Side Effects, Find Affordable Birth Control and Emergency Contraception Fast. If you should experience any side effects on Rogaine, simply discontinue use and the side effects will subside. This content does not have an English version. By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Learn more about Minoxidil for women including how it works, how to use it, and where to buy it. If we combine this information with your protected the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. While minoxidil can treat many cases of hair loss, its not the only option available. The Minoxidil formula for males is 5%, and the original formula for females is 2%. You might decide the benefits outweigh the risks and ask for a Minoxidil prescription, but dont be so quick to make a final decision. So, if your hair is rapidly falling out, your dermatologist may recommend that you use the 5% formulation. DOI: Lamsumang W, et al. Every hair loss practitioner you meet will be extremely familiar with Minoxidil and may even suggest using it alongside other forms of hair growth treatments. Below, weve listed some of the most common reasons for female hair loss: Androgens are male sex hormones. The telltale sign of androgenetic alopecia is an overall thinning of your hair. Its most common in adolescents and children. A 2015 case study described a patient who developed low blood pressure after using a very strong minoxidil cream for 12 weeks. Speak with the doctor who manages your hair loss. Women's Rogaine 5% Minoxidil Foam for Hair Thinning and Loss. As a once-daily topical treatment, you can apply minoxidil to affected areas of your scalp in the morning. In a 2014 study, researchers found that 5% minoxidil foam was effective at treating hair loss in women. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine. Contact dermatitis on the scalp is the most common side effect when using Rogaine. (2012). Not really. Its effectiveness might have something to do with one ingredient propylene glycol. Both physical and emotional stress can trigger female hair loss, meaning an overly stressful professional life or a traumatic experience could be to blame if youve noticed your hair starting to thin. I will often combine minoxidil with an oral medication called spironolactone for my female patients with hair loss. Hair Regrowth Treatment with Minoxidil 5% & Topical Aerosol for Women Target's brand, Up & Up sells generic Rogaine in a four-month supply for just $35.99 in a two-pack. One study found that women using the 5% Minoxidil only once a day had about the same hair increase as women using the 2% minoxidil twice a day. Hair loss could be caused by a range of factors, including lifestyle, environmental pollution, diet, thyroid, and genetics. Minoxidil is one of the most widely used non-prescription hair loss drugs in the world. But are you ready to spend the rest of your life using Minoxidil 1-2 times per day in order to maintain a decent head of hair? (Unless you want to get an even higher concentration solution via a doctors prescription but youll see why that may not be such a good idea). All rights reserved. The exact way that this medicine works is not known. If hair regrowth occurs, use must be continued for continued hair growth; re-grown hair may disappear within 3 to 4 months of stopping and the balding process will continue. This vasodilation may also improve the viability of hair cells or hair follicles.. It works by prolonging the growth phase of the hair follicles, Yang says. It works by prolonging the growth phase of the hair follicles, Yang says. Is minoxidil safe? Fortunately, minoxidil (Rogaine) can help stop the hair loss in its tracks. In a 2014 study, researchers found that 5% minoxidil foam was effective at treating hair loss in women. Rogaine is generally considered safe, but in some cases it can cause side effects, such as scalp irritation, unwanted hair growth, or temporary shedding. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Portions of this document last updated: Feb. 01, 2023. Despite being male hormones, most androgens are also present in women in tiny quantities. Minoxidil has a Category C pregnancy risk category, which means that there arent enough well-controlled human studies to assess its pregnancy risk. The FDA lists Rogaine as a category C pregnancy drug. This goes for males using this medication as well. For instance, dermatologist Dr. Jeff Donovan specifically avoids prescribing Minoxidil in five different scenarios: an individual has some other hair loss condition besides androgenetic hair loss, such as dissecting cellulitis or menopause, the patient has heart problems, especially ischemic type heart disease or certain types of heart failure, the patient has heart rhythm issues (like atrial fibrillation), the patient has certain internal conditions (like pheochromocytoma), the individual has allergies to any of the components of minoxidil, such as propylene glycol in minoxidil solution or allergy to the minoxidil itself. I saw my dermatologist and she recommended I use the men's rogaine solution. And we know that in animal models, Minoxidil shortens the Telogen phase (where the hair rests and prepares to shed), and increases the Anagen phase (where the hair is actively growing). Changes in your bodys hormone levels can affect your hair thickness and health, meaning you could lose hair due to a hormonal imbalance or a change in your use of hormonal birth control. If your hair is growing normally, about 85 percent of it is growing at any given time and 15 percent of it is resting. It's recommended that women use minoxidil 2%, while men can use the 5% formula. Youll have to use Rogaine indefinitely to maintain any regrowth. Common side effects include mild itching and burning as well as flaky skin. Usually, there's no scalp itch, pain or rash with this type of hair loss, so if you have any of those symptoms, you should see a dermatologist for . Do not wash your head for at least 4 hours after the application. So what should you be doing instead of using Minoxidil? 2% scalp solution and 5% scalp foam. This information is intended for educational purposes only and is not meant to substitute for medical care or to prescribe treatment for any specific health condition. All valid questions. Women who have female pattern baldness, or androgenetic alopecia, lose about 150 hairs a day more than the 50-100 hairs that women without thinning hair lose daily. It works by prolonging the growth phase of the hair follicles, Yang says. Before you start using minoxidil, its important to make sure its the best option for treating your hair loss: If youre currently prescribed a medication that could contribute to hair loss, such as an antidepressant or treatment for cancer or any other serious disease, talk to your healthcare provider before considering minoxidil as a treatment option. Women can use 5% minoxidil for men but they should be aware that it might cause side effects. The condition is caused by a combination of hereditary (genetic) and . If you use your fingers, make sure you wash them immediately after applying the solution to your scalp. A 2004 randomized-controlled trial comparing 5% Minoxidil and 2% Minoxidil in women already has the answer for us: While you will see more hair growth and scalp coverage of new hair with the 5% solution, you should expect greater frequency of serious and non-serious side effects. The latter effect is likely the most causative factor behind why Minoxidil works, as poor blood flow is believed to be connected to hair loss. This means its often best to wash your hair and scalp before applying the treatment. While minoxidil is highly effective at stimulating hair growth, its not a cure for all causes of hair loss in women. Minoxidil is considered a category C danger to pregnant and breastfeeding women since it can cause malformations in the baby. If you experience a burning sensation, redness, and irritation that doesnt go away, switch to 5% minoxidil foam or 2% minoxidil solution to avoid further complications. Hereditary hair loss in women aged 18-65 years. While its commonly prescribed for female pattern hair loss (FPHL) in postmenopausal women, its generally not prescribed for premenopausal women.