Using Minoxidil For Hair Loss: Pros and Cons

Do you lose a lot of hair? Do you think of taking Minoxidil for hair loss? Are you looking for a solution for alopecia? Surely you have heard of this well-known lotion and you are here to find out how it works and what are the side effects of Minoxidil in hair loss. Read on and find out.

What is Minoxidil and what is it for?

Minoxidil is a vasodilator drug and is the best known treatment to stop hair loss, stimulating growth and slowing down the baldness process. It can be presented in different formats, liquid, foam, gel… and it is applied directly to the scalp. Very important to keep in mind: Minoxidil will not make hair that has already fallen out grow back.

Alopecia and Minoxidil for Hair Loss

There are several factors and causes of hair loss: genetics, stress, diseases, diets, medication… Although the vast majority of men who see their hair fall out usually suffer from androgenetic alopecia. Minoxidil for hair loss is a recommended product for those who suffer from this type of hair loss, regardless of gender.

What is androgenetic alopecia?

It is hair loss caused by genetic factors and that follows a well-defined pattern over time. First, the hair on the forehead is usually lost, the well-known “entrances”. Little by little, receding is observed in the part of the crown and the upper part of the head.

Does minoxidil really work?

Minoxidil for hair loss tends to give good results to 66% of men who use it. It reduces the time of hair loss and also helps to strengthen it. In the case of women, the statistics are very similar. People who tend to work are starting to go bald and are under 40 years old. Minoxidil should start to show results after about 3 or 4 months. Otherwise, it is better to stop using it and not spend more money (or time) on a treatment that is not for you.

How to apply Minoxidil for Hair Loss?

This lotion is usually applied twice a day, although we always recommend that you read the package insert and follow the specialist’s recommendations. Something that many people have already thought: if I apply it more times, my hair will grow more. Big mistake! The only thing you can cause is that the side effects are more noticeable. The topical product is applied to receding areas, whether it is the scalp or the beard, or where you want to stimulate growth. Next, the area is massaged for a while, so that it is well absorbed.

What are the Minoxidil side effects?

Now we have come to the kit of the question. What are the side effects of Minoxidil for hair loss? Some are quite common, especially when you start using the drug. Next, we detail them all:

• Itching, burning or stinging on the scalp: as it contains alcohol derivatives, it can cause itching in some parts of the head.
• Dry skin and flaking: Due to the dryness of the skin, it may even appear skin flaking or dandruff. To combat it, it is advisable to wash your hair with an anti-dermatitis shampoo.
• Redness of the skin: this medicine has a vasodilator effect, so it can make your scalp more red.
• Allergic reaction: to find out whether or not you are allergic to Minoxidil for hair loss, we recommend that the first application is in a small area and let it act for a while, to see if any type of reaction appears. Otherwise, it can be applied in the rest of the areas.
• Shedding effect or telogen effluvium: this side effect of Minoxidil is greater hair loss that begins 3 or 4 months after starting to use the drug. This does not usually last long, as the follicles recompose themselves and replace the old ones. This Minoxidil side effect is very similar to the “Hair Shock Loss” that occurs after a hair transplant. If hair loss does not stop, it will be necessary to go to the specialist and, probably, stop using Minoxidil.

Attention! Pregnant or lactating women should not use Minoxidil!!!

Is Minoxidil worth it, or is a hair implant better?

Minoxidil for hair loss is a temporary treatment and results are only obtained while it is being used. On the other hand, hair transplant is an outpatient surgical procedure that serves to definitively recover the hair in the parts that have already lost it. It is necessary to go through an intervention that lasts from 6 to 8 hours, depending on the grafts that will be transplanted. Afterwards, final and totally permanent results are obtained after about 10 to 12 months. Statistics: the percentage of hair transplant success is 96% (we remind you that we have mentioned that Minoxidil only works in 66% of cases…)

Minoxidil or Hair Transplant: what is more profitable?

Another question that is normal to ask is whether it is worth investing in a hair transplant or in Minoxidil for hair loss. Well, we’ve done the math so you don’t have to. There are different brands of Minoxidil for hair loss, also different pack offers. We have made a calculation and on average, a person spends between €150 and €200 per year on Minoxidil, and it can even be more, depending on the brand. On the other hand, a hair transplant in Turkey starts at € 2000, including hotel stay, transfers in the city, shampoo and special lotion. Here we must add the round trip flight. In the case of other countries, the price starts at around €150 and can go up to €300. The cost of the flights depends on the time of year you want to travel and the departure airport. So we have: €150-€200 of Minoxidil per year and on the other hand we have about €2,000 of hair transplant with the Sapphire FUE technique. You can never stop taking Minoxidil to have results, so a hair transplant is the equivalent of 12 to 15 years buying and using Minoxidil. With all that it entails: remembering to have lotion, not forgetting on special days like vacations, etc. To get better hair transplant offers by Dr. Fatih Köroğlu, contact and write us.