Stop Hair Loss and Promote Hair Growth with Minoxidil 5%
Minoxidil is actually a vasodilator type antihypertensive medication that is capable of slowing down or completely stopping hair loss and can also effectively promote hair growth. The medication is now off-patent and is easily available over the counter for androgenic alopecia treatment and is available in different forms like Minoxidil Foam or Minoxidil 5% or 2%. But Minoxidil users are also required to keep in mind that Minoxidil 5% is required to be administered for an indefinite period of time for supporting the existing hair follicles and also to encourage hair growth.
In order to achieve the maximum effects Minoxidil 2% or other variations should be applied once or if recommended then twice daily for an indefinite period of time in order to promote hair regrowth. For the best possible results the solution requires to stay in contact with the scalp for a minimum period of four hours before it is washed with water. Though Minoxidil is capable of stimulating the hair follicles but it cannot actually prevent the accumulation of the 5-alpha reductase enzyme which is considered as the primary mediator in male pattern baldness.
Though any form of Minoxidil including Minoxidil Foam is considered to be well tolerated by human body but some of common side effects of Minoxidil are – irritation or burning in the eyes and also in the treated area, unwanted hair growth in other areas of the body apart from the head. In case of occurring of these side effects users are recommended to stop using Minoxidil and also seek immediate medical attention to prevent any possible further complication. In certain cases some other more serious side effects are found to occur like dizziness and chest pain, tachycardia or rapid heart bit, swelling in hands and feet and also severe allergic reactions.
There is another aspect about using Minoxidil 5% or any other form of the product that one need to be extremely careful about. Though its results are considered to be dose independent but applying the solution in greater quantity do not necessarily ensures better results. As a matter of fact Minoxidil can promote hair regrowth only up to a maximum theoretical limit over application of the solution on a regular basis can very well result in complications such as irritation in the scalp or allergic reactions in other parts of the body.
Applying 1 to 1.5 ml of Minoxidil 2% or 5% solution on a dry scalp is best recommended by experts. As damp scalp is better permeable than a dry scalp applying Minoxidil after shower can produce better results but if there is any symptom of systematic absorption of the solution it should be immediately stopped and avoided in future. Here are some of common precautions that users should take to prevent any systematic absorption of the solution:
- Always wash hands properly after application
- Avoid applying it if there are scars or pimples on the scalp
- Never use an applicator that can scratch or irritate the scalp
- Never scratch your scalp with your fingernails while applying the solutions.
With proper use for a long time Minoxidil can really come up with good results and is a good solution for preventing hair loss and encouraging hair regrowth.