Minoxidil, a medication initially used to treat high blood pressure, has been effective in combating hair loss and promoting hair regrowth. It is available in both oral and topical minoxidil.
- Both are proven to be effective
- There are differences in their mechanism of action and their pros and cons.
Minoxidil
Minoxidil is a medication commonly used to treat hair loss. It is typically used for androgenetic alopecia such as male pattern hair loss and female pattern hair loss. Minoxidil works by increasing the blood flow to the scalp and prolonging the growth phase of hair follicles (the anagen phase).
This helps to maintain the active hair, stimulate hair growth and slow down hair shedding or prevent further hair loss. As with most other medications, the effectiveness of minoxidil will vary individual to individual. For most effective results, minoxidil needs to be used regularly and possibly life long as hair loss may resume if it’s discontinued.
Oral Minoxidil
Oral minoxidil for hair loss or hair growth is a tablet taken orally. The tablet was initially developed to treat high blood pressure and later found to promote hair health.
It is a prescription only medication. The minoxidil treatment for hair loss is at a lower dosage usually starting at 0.25mg and increasing to 2.5mg daily if needed. The dose of oral minoxidil will be adjusted based on the person’s response to the medication and any side effects the medication is causing.
As the medication acts systemically it can promote hair growth on the scalp and other areas such as arms, legs and in some people the chest. Some individuals experience hair loss in other areas of the body due to alopecia so they may benefit from the extra growth whilst others may not like the extra growth.
Side effects:
There are some common side effects such as a drop in blood pressure, dizziness, lightheadedness and fainting. In some individuals it can increase heart rate or other cardiovascular symptoms such as chest pain or shortness of breath.
In some uncommon cases it can cause swelling of the hands, feet or face. It can also cause fluid retention and swelling in other parts of the body. In rare cases you can get an allergic reaction to minoxidil which should be dealt with immediately.
Topical Minoxidil
Topical Minoxidil is a liquid solution or foam. It is applied directly to the scalp and lightly massaged in to promote hair growth and reduce hair loss. Minoxidil solution is available in different strengths of 2% and 5%.
The topical solution is easy to apply and generally well tolerated. It can be used by both men and women and does not require a prescription. Hair will grow only in the area where treatment is applied. Certain studies have shown that applying minoxidil in early phases of hair loss can successfully boost hair growth and improve hair thickness.
Side effects:
Since the medication is applied to the scalp, it is common to experience some itchiness, dryness, redness and flakiness. If the solution is not washed in areas other than the scalp, such as neck, face and hands, it is possible hair may begin to grow there.
In rare cases it may increase the heart rate of an individual and may cause dizziness/lightheadedness in some. Although these are more likely to happen in oral tablets, some topical absorptions can also cause these side effects. It is best to consult a health professional if faced by these adverse effects.
Can you use both oral and topical minoxidil together?
It is generally not recommended to combine as it may increase the risk of side effects. It is best to consult with a healthcare professional before using different forms of minoxidil to ensure safety.
Safety and Efficacy of Minoxidil
Both the topical and oral Minoxidil have different effectiveness and may present different side effects.
Efficacy
The efficacy of both the formulations is dependent on individual preference. Topical minoxidil though easily accessible it can cause adherence issues. It needs to be applied twice daily and gives an undesired hair texture and irritated scalp.
The oral minoxidil is a choice for many and in a total of seventeen studies it has proven to be the leading hair loss therapy option. In a 3 year case study, the low dose minoxidil tablets showed to improve scalp hair growth while reducing hair shedding. The other studies cited greater efficiency in high doses of 1mg tablets.
In clinical trials, both the medications were determined equally effective with the oral form affecting hair density and thickness at a more significant rate. Furthermore the topical formulation is more tolerated due to its fewer side effects than the oral tablet.
Safety
As mentioned above, both oral and topical minoxidil can cause some common side effects. The safety of minoxidil defers from individual to individual and the form which it is taken in. The oral could be considered unsafe in individuals with blood pressure or cardiovascular issues.
Whereas the topical minoxidil can cause an allergic reaction resulting in skin rash or hives which can be considered unsafe for individuals with other scalp conditions or skin sensitivities.
Minoxidil is not considered safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding and should be avoided and a healthcare professional consulted if hair fall is of concern.
Minoxidil before and after
In some people the results from Minoxidil before and after its treatment can be very impressive. Minoxidil results start to show after 2 months of consistent use. Signs of hair regrowth may vary individual to individual, however the hair does start to begin thicker.
A study of 1000 males who had been using Minoxidil for one year showed 65% of reduced hair fall and 20% of significant hair regrowth. In order to maintain positive results, minoxidil needs to be used consistently. If stopped, new hair growth may cease and the hair fall may resume.
When to contact a doctor
In instances where Minoxidil may not be a suitable option due to reaction or unwanted side effects, there are other alternatives to explore. These options could include tablets, micro needling or injections and hair transplant. For any concerns regarding your hair loss, its best to talk to a doctor or pharmacist.
