Oral Minoxidil could be exactly what you need to help with your thinning hair. Many people are unsure if this could work. It seems too simple to be effective, yet it has helped many people. If you are thinking about talking to your doctor about the use of this medication, it helps to know as much as you can about it, including how it works and why.
What Is Minoxidil?
Minoxidil, also sold as Rogaine, is a stimulate designed to encourage hair growth. It is applied to the scalp of those who have hair thinning or hair loss in the most common form, but oral versions of it are available as well.
There are two forms of this medication, a topical and an oral pill. It is more common for patients to use the topical form, which is used as a foam or a tonic on the scalp. However, there are many people who will benefit from the use of an oral minoxidil table instead.
This medication is designed to help those who have female pattern baldness or male pattern baldness. It may also help people who are suffering from traction alopecia, telogen effluvium, and loose anagen syndrome, among other conditions.
It works by shortening the teleogen phase of the hair growth cycle, also known as the resting phase. This helps encourage hair to grow. When used, it may help encourage hair to grow, and continue to grow, as long as the medication is used. It does not cure hair loss.
Who Should Use the Oral Form?
It’s really up to your doctor to determine if the oral version of this medication is the best choice for your situation. However, there are a number of reasons why it could be your best choice.
- If you have not had any luck using the topical form and you’ve used it for six months on a routine and consistent basis, the oral option may work for you.
- If the use of the topical form causes any type of rash or irritation or you have an allergy to it, the oral form may be an option.
- Some people who use the topical form report that the hair texture does not feel right. It can cause hair tangling or dry hair that seems brittle and more likely to break.
If you have these or other complications when using the topical form – which is generally the first type prescribed and used – then you may be able to use the oral form with success.
It is possible for people who have used the topical form of Minoxidil who did not see any improvement or who saw very little improvement to see significant results with the oral form. That’s because some people have a missing enzyme in the hair follicle that may not respond well to the topical form. However, this does not happen when the pill form is taken because the enzyme is located in the liver, which will help to stimulate the medication to work.
What Can You Expect in Terms of Results?
Everyone is a bit different in terms of their experience with this medication. However, there are some studies that indicate that about a third of people who use this medication will see a significant reduction in their hair loss or hair shedding. About a third of people will notice improved growth within about six months of using the product. The company states that 2 in 3 people should notice benefits from taking this medication.
Keep in mind to get results, you need to give it time to work. Often, it can take 6 to 12 months of consistent use for a person to see any significant improvement in their hair growth or the slowing of hair loss.
Are There Side Effects?
There are a number of potential side effects that could impact people. However, the rate of side effects, including those that are severe or high risk, is very low.
Some people may develop excessive hair growth where hair grows on the face or body. This is more likely to happen if you are taking a higher dose of the medication. Some people also experience temporary shedding, which happens at the onset of taking the drug (and can happen with both topical and oral pills). Other potential risks include fluid retention, low blood pressure, dizziness, a high heart rate, and headaches.
What Should You Do?
If you have hair loss or hair thinning, it is worth it to speak to your doctor about the use of this medication. Most often, you will start with the topical product before the use of the oral form will be prescribed. Contact us at Unique Hair Concepts to schedule your complimentary consultation today.
