Rogaine foam how does it work

Treating female pattern hair loss. Updated August 31, Thank you [email] for signing up. Please enter a valid email address. Your Privacy Rights.

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By Rebecca Dancer. Rebecca Dancer. Rebecca is a contributing writer for Byrdie where she covers all things beauty. Byrdie's Editorial Guidelines. How to Use Minoxidil for Hair. What is Minoxidil? Minoxidil Type of ingredient: Topical treatment for hair growth Main benefits: Encourages growth, strengthens strands, stimulates the hair follicle Who should use it: In general, anyone with who is concerned about hair loss can use minoxidil. It is not recommended for pregnant individuals. How often can you use it: Apply as directed on the packaging to damp hair.

You should see results in two to three months with regular use. Is minoxidil good for hair growth? Are there any side effects to taking minoxidil? Can minoxidil make my hair fall out? But people who are pregnant or breastfeeding are not recommended to use it. You can get Rogaine at your local pharmacy or online at their site. You can also purchase the generic form, minoxidil, through online services like Roman , Hims , and Keeps. While Rogaine has been proven to be effective in regrowing hair, there is a catch.

Rogaine only works in people with a hereditary form of hair loss at the top and back of the scalp. You also have to use it continuously if you want to maintain your results. To make it easier, you can subscribe to a Rogaine delivery program through the product website. Less expensive generics are also available. Female pattern baldness is similar to male pattern baldness, except that women lose their hair in a different pattern than men.

Learn more. Give these tips a try. Thinning hair happens gradually, which means you have time to pinpoint the causes and figure out the best treatment measures. Here's what you can do. The Norwood scale can be used to help explain the stages of male pattern baldness.

Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Does Rogaine Work? How Rogaine works. Who gets the best results from Rogaine. Rogaine allows people to apply minoxidil directly to areas where they are experiencing hair loss , from the back of the head to the beard. Rogaine is most helpful for people with recent hair loss who are under 40 years of age.

New hair growth is usually lost when people stop applying the medication. Scientists have not worked out exactly how Rogaine helps promote hair growth and slow hair loss.

A common explanation is that it opens up the blood vessels in the scalp, which allows more oxygen, nutrients, and blood to reach the hair follicles.

It may also enhance the ability of cells in the scalp to produce DNA. Rogaine was developed to minimize the effects of male pattern baldness by promoting new growth for pigmented, terminal hairs, and limiting the scope of future hair loss. However, minoxidil, which is the active ingredient in Rogaine, was originally developed as an oral medication to treat high blood pressure.

While the medication could lower blood pressure for hard to treat individuals, people taking it also noticed that a side effect was the promotion of hair growth, although sometimes in undesirable places. Development of a topical application made it possible for individuals to put the medication in specific locations. Hair began growing back for a much smaller percentage of individuals, the report said. Experts consider Rogaine to be mostly safe, although the alcohol in the topical application can irritate the skin.

Also, Rogaine may lead to the following side effects:. People can also be allergic to minoxidil or other ingredients that the manufacturers use in the medication. If any of the following symptoms develop, a person should seek medical help and discontinue using the medication:. According to the American Academy of Dermatology , minoxidil is safe to use on the beard and eyebrows, as well as on the scalp.

Some 46 participants applied a minoxidil lotion twice a day. Side effects were reported to be mild and not statistically significant. Female pattern hair loss is not as rare as some people might think.