Does Rogaine for Men Work to Prevent Hair Loss?
Have you been scouring the internet in search of a hair loss treatment that will give you results? You are not alone. Over half of men and over a quarter of women over the age of 50 (and many before) deal with hair loss, and if you are among them, rest easy -- you have a ton of options available to you, with one in particular that has seemed to work well for men in particular.
Hair loss is a frustrating conundrum to deal with. Whether you are male or female, older or younger, you may experience parts of your hair getting thinner and even going completely bald.
This post covers some of the main causes of hair loss and how they can be treated. We’ll also take a dive into Rogaine, one of the most popular hair loss treatments on the market, one with a glowing reputation among many who have dealt with thinning hair and hair loss in the past. We’ll answer some key questions you may have about Rogaine – what it is, how it works, and whether it is right for you based on your current hair situation.
What is the primary cause of hair loss?
In most cases, hair loss becomes a problem later in life. Although some conditions and illnesses can cause partial or total loss of your hair, these aren’t the typical causes for run-of-the-male male or female pattern baldness.
Hair loss often looks different for men and women. Male pattern baldness often appears in the form of a receding hairline, a distinct thinning of the hair nearest to your forehead. In addition, if you are a man, you may see thinning and even full-on baldness at the crown of your head. For women, the most common part of the head where hair thinning occurs is in the part between the two sections of the hair.
Pattern baldness, sometimes referred to by its official name, androgenic alopecia, is the primary type of hair loss experienced by adult men and women. It affects millions of people as they get older. The primary cause of this type of hair loss is an androgen called DHT. Androgens are male sex hormones, but they are present in the bodies of both men and women, although men have larger quantities.
When you are going through puberty, androgens like DHT are your friends. They help get your body physically matured into that of an adult, prompting voice changes and the ability to grow facial hair in males. Overall, androgens are not always problematic, and play important roles in your body. However, as you age, DHT can begin negatively affecting your ability to grow a full head of hair.
Aging can cause your DHT levels to increase, which eventually can reduce the rate at which your hair falls out and regrows. More DHT can also cause your hair follicles to thin out, making your hair look thinner overall. DHT’s effects on your hair as you age can also cause your individual hairs to grow shorter and thinner.
Minoxidil (Rogaine) and Hair Loss
If you are dealing with hair loss caused by DHT, minoxidil can help, and has helped many people so far. While no hair loss treatment is 100% successful, minoxidil has a notable success rate and has prevented hair loss and even prompted hair regrowth for many users. The treatment is FDA-approved and available over-the-counter without a prescription or a visit to the doctor.
Minoxidil was originally intended to be used for lowering high blood pressure. The medicine was designed to be taken orally when it was first invented. However, initial use of minoxidil had an unexpected effect on subjects: it increased hair growth. Because of this unexpected effect, minoxidil ended up being repurposed and turned into a treatment that can be applied topically to your hair and scalp. It is available as a 5% or 2% concentration solution, or as a 5% foam.
The cause for minoxidil’s growth-boosting effects is not entirely known. It is speculated, however, that the treatment works so well because it is stimulating blood flow in your scalp, promoting hair growth via delivery of important nutrients to the follicles. Minoxidil is more likely to reduce hair loss than to promote regrowth of hair, but both are possible when using the treatment.
Possible Side Effects While Taking Rogaine
Rogaine does not typically cause serious side effects. However, one much more common side effect that many users of the treatment experience is an irritated and dry scalp. Of course, this is never something that you want, especially when you are already dealing with hair loss. Dryness in your scalp can cause dandruff, which is always unwelcome when you are after the healthiest head of hair possible.
Because dryness and irritation are the most common side effects while using Rogaine, it is especially important to take care of your hair and scalp while using the treatment. We highly recommend using our specially formulated Hair Growth Shampoo & Conditioner in tandem with Rogaine. We’ve compiled a combination of a DHT-blocking formula with powerful antioxidants and other helpful ingredients that are great for combating androgenic alopecia and supporting hair health.
One of the most important ingredients in our shampoo and conditioner that can help combat the dryness and irritation caused by Rogaine is argan oil. A naturally-derived ingredient that helps to moisturize your hair and scalp, argan oil is the perfect ingredient to balance out any side effects from Rogaine.
How long does it take to see results?
The first few weeks of taking Rogaine usually do not produce significant, visible results. However, as time goes by, you may notice a major reduction in hair loss, and even potential regrowth in areas on your head that were much thinner.
A good rule of thumb is to wait two to three months before anticipating major results from Rogaine.
Although it usually takes a few months to see results while using Rogaine, you may see results a bit sooner or a bit later. Overall, being patient is always a must while trying any new hair loss treatment.
When you are dealing with chronic hair thinning and hair loss, it can often be tempting to jump the gun and switch to a new treatment when you are not seeing immediate results. However, when you quit a treatment, including Rogaine, too early, you are sabotaging your chances at seeing improvements in your hair. Make sure to stick it out long enough to let Rogaine do its work.
Takeaway
Rogaine is a hair loss treatment with a great reputation. It has helped many deal with hair loss and has even prompted hair regrowth for many who have used it.
When you are struggling with androgenic alopecia, a combination of Rogaine with groMD’s Shampoo & Conditioner and Follicle Activation Spray makes for a strong hair care regimen packed with ingredients that can significantly boost the health of your hair.
Pairing up groMD products with Rogaine helps you keep your hair hydrated, healthy, and supplied with antioxidants, all the while working to combat any unwelcome side effects. Rogaine is best used when paired with a strong hair care routine, and we’ve got everything you need to get started with yours.
Check out all of groMD’s hair growth formulas today by clicking here, or explore why our ingredients work by clicking here.
Dr. Amir Yazdan, MD, is an internationally renowned hair transplant surgeon, expert guest on Dr. Phil and The Doctors, creator of the GroMD hair restoration product line, ISHRS member, accredited member of the IAHRS and a visceral advocate for patient care. Learn more about Dr. Yazdan or read rave reviews from his patients.
Sources:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hair-loss/symptoms-causes/syc-20372926