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<\/p>\nHair loss, be it seasonal shedding, postpartum hair loss, or androgenetic alopecia, is incredibly discouraging, which may explain why the market is packed with products that have big (but often empty) promises. But using minoxidil for hair growth is one of the few\u00a0thin-hair solutions\u00a0that has the science to back up its efficacy, which is why it continues to be a mainstay for\u00a0thinning hair.<\/p>\n
When it comes to hair growth, minoxidil is in a league of its own. It \u201cremains the benchmark for over-the-counter hair-loss treatments because it has one of the strongest evidence bases of any topical hair-growth ingredient,\u201d says\u00a0Sejal Shah, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. \u201cStudies have consistently shown that it can slow hair loss and stimulate new growth in both men and women with hereditary pattern hair loss, making it one of the best-supported non-prescription treatments available.\u201d<\/p>\n
Not only that, but minoxidil is approved by the FDA for certain types of pattern hair loss, which sets it apart from shampoos, serums, and supplements\u2014which might have promising data behind them, but not the same level of regulatory review, she says. Plus, minoxidil is fairly easy to get and use: \u201cBonus points: It is accessible and affordable,\u201d says\u00a0Sandra Oska, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Los Angeles.<\/p>\n
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Getty Images<\/p>\n
The impact of minoxidil is so profound that it\u2019s the standard that other, newer hair-loss therapies, like\u00a0exosomes\u00a0and\u00a0peptides, are compared to, according to\u00a0Carmen Castilla, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. Here\u2019s what to know about this incomparable ingredient.<\/p>\n
The benefits of minoxidil for hair growth<\/p>\n
Minoxidil helps with hair growth\u2014which is true, but it\u2019s a little simplistic. Part of the appeal of minoxidil \u201cis its ability to target multiple aspects of hair loss rather than a single pathway,\u201d says Dr. Castilla.<\/p>\n
For one, it can prolong the hair\u2019s growth phase. While the exact mechanism isn\u2019t entirely understood, \u201cit\u2019s thought to prolong the growth (anagen) phase of the hair cycle, transitioning follicles from the resting (telogen) phase into the growth phase,\u201d says Dr. Shah. That means your hair prioritizes growing over shedding.<\/p>\n
It can also bulk up hair follicles. Follicle miniaturization (which happens in male- and female-pattern baldness, or androgenetic alopecia) describes when hormones actually shrink the hair follicles, so the hairs grow thinner and shorter. Minoxidil reverses this, making hair follicles larger again. It also can \u201cincrease blood flow around the hair follicles through vasodilation,\u201d says Dr. Shah. \u201cThe overall result is that more follicles remain actively growing hair, and some previously thinning hairs become thicker.\u201d<\/p>\n
For that reason, minoxidil tends to be most helpful with androgenetic alopecia, which usually looks like gradual thinning at the crown or around the hairline. But it can also benefit others. \u201cIn some situations, I recommend it to patients to help support regrowth after a shedding event, provided the underlying cause is also being addressed,\u201d says Dr. Oska. For example, if you\u2019re seeing stress-related shedding after a major life event, you can try minoxidil to help with regrowth\u2014assuming the trigger has been resolved.<\/p>\n
The downsides of minoxidil for hair growth<\/p>\n
There aren\u2019t many downsides of minoxidil for hair growth, although it can have some mild side effects like scalp irritation, itchiness, dryness or flaking, redness, and burning or stinging, per Dr. Shah. That\u2019s because \u201csome formulations contain propylene glycol, which can cause irritation,\u201d she explains.<\/p>\n
Another drawback? You might notice\u00a0more\u00a0shedding when you first start using minoxidil. \u201cThis can happen because older hairs are shed as follicles transition into a new growth cycle,\u201d says Dr. Shah. \u201cWhile it can be concerning, it\u2019s often temporary.\u201d<\/p>\n
And finally, it\u2019s possible to see hair growth in areas other than your scalp\u2014but that only really occurs if you repeatedly touch your face (or some other skin) when you\u2019re applying it.<\/p>\n
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Katrin Bolovtsova<\/p>\n
How to use minoxidil for hair growth<\/p>\n
First, start minoxidil as soon as you notice shedding or hair loss, since it works best if you start it before significant follicle miniaturization has happened. \u201cHair-loss treatments are much better at keeping the hair on your head versus growing new hair,\u201d says Dr. Castilla. \u201cIn addition, further into the hair-loss process, hair follicles become less responsive to treatment.\u201d Not only that, but most people will start to see a difference only after four to six months of using it, so the sooner the better.<\/p>\n