The human hair of men and women should appear full and healthy to signal: I am healthy and beautiful! Unfortunately, however, hair is also very susceptible to hormonal influences of the body, which, however, are not pathological. The result: hair falls out in the crown area in women and on the side of the top of the head (receding hairline) in men. A solution to this problem can be the active ingredient minoxidil.
What is minoxidil?
As a “side effect” it has been found that Minoxidil also helps against constitutional hair loss. But what is minoxidil? Originally, Minoxidil was used as a reserve agent for high blood pressure. As a “side effect” it turned out that this drug also helps against constitutional hair loss (androgenetic alopecia). It is possible to stop hair loss in 70-80% of cases, but it is necessary to invest at least three to four months of treatment for an effect, because the hair has a growth cycle that corresponds to this period. However, the hair then grows back thicker and stronger. New hair growth occurs in about one third of users. Women can hope for stabilization of hair loss in the crown area. There are two preparations available in Germany: Minoxidil for women with 2% active ingredient and Minoxidil for men with an active ingredient concentration of 5%.
Pharmacological action
The principle of action of minoxidil corresponds to the action of the reserve drug against hypertension. Because the drug dilates capillaries in the body and promotes blood circulation, researchers have found that this may also have a beneficial effect on hair. Applied to the scalp, the drug dilates blood vessels and promotes blood flow. This makes hair grow back thicker and stronger. The supplying vessels of the hair are thus better nourished in the long run, and strengthened step by step. The shortened cycle of hair growth is prolonged and hair stays longer in the scalp. Already dead hair follicles are partially reactivated and produce strong hair again. Due to the mode of action of Minoxidil, there must of course be a congenital hair loss, in which the hair reacts sensitively to the body’s own testosterone, which leads to problems at the hair root. In the case of so-called diffuse hair loss, which occurs due to nutrient deficiencies such as iron deficiency, vitamin deficiencies or thyroid problems, the cause should always be clarified, since in this case hair loss is only one of many symptoms.
Medical use and application
The application of minoxidil is simple: men apply the active ingredient to the upper scalp and in the area of the so-called “secret corners” and the tonsure. Women massage the drug into the crown area. The first time during the treatment, until the hair restorer takes effect, more hair may fall out because the hair is practically renewing itself. One can massage the liquid solution into the scalp either once or twice a day. It is up to the patient to decide, because massaging the solution into the scalp can dry it out a lot. The reason for this is the rather poor solubility of minoxidil, which is why the active ingredient must be dissolved in propylene glycol, ethanol and water. In order to make the drug ever more tolerable, chemists are conducting research to improve tolerability and reduce the possible side effects. One of the products of this research is minoxidil foam, which is said to penetrate the scalp better and be much easier to tolerate.
Risks and side effects
But where there is an effect, there can of course be side effects: Neither pregnant women should use minoxidil, nor people who have a hypersensitivity to the active ingredient. Some patients experience excessive hair growth on the body after using the drug; this is known as hypertrichosis. Careful consideration of risks and side effects is therefore also important here. Using minoxidil at the same time as other topical agents may compromise efficacy and is not recommended. Neuroleptics should not be taken together with minoxidil because this can lead to an increase in the effectiveness of the hair restorer. However, once started and used over a period of several months, the patient should continue taking the drug. Otherwise, the regained hair will fall out again, which would be a great pity.
