Different Types of Minoxidil Applications

Posted on May 7, 2015 by Merry

Minoxidil is often brought up in the media when health care professionals discuss male and/or female pattern baldness. The purpose of this article is to explain what minoxidil is, how it works, and the different types of minoxidil applications currently available on the market.

What is Minoxidil?

Minoxidil is an antihypertensive vasodilator that can help reduce or slow down the hair loss process in some men and women, or stop hair loss altogether and promote the formation of new, healthy, hair. The product has also been recently off-patented, and can be obtained as an over-the-counter medication to treat androgenetic alopecia, better known as male pattern baldness or female pattern baldness.

Minoxidil’s Origins

Minoxidil was originally used as a drug to treat high blood pressure, and was sold under the label Loniten. However, scientists discovered that one of the side effects of the drug was hair growth. As a result, minoxidil stopped being used as an oral medication to treat high blood pressure and started being prescribed to treat hair loss in men and women.

2% and 5% Minoxidil Concentrations

Minoxidil is available in a topical form in a 2% and 5% concentration. It is sold under the brand name Rogaine in North America, and while the 2% concentration can be used by both men and women, the Minoxidil 5% is only to be used by men, due to its more potent properties and side effects. In addition, the product is sold under the brand name Regaine in Asia and Europe.

How to Use Minoxidil for Hair

Minoxidil must be applied indefinitely, meaning it must be taken on a continual basis in order for the hair growth to be maintained. It should also be applied topically twice a day. Most experts also recommend that the minoxidil topical solution should be applied on the scalp at least 4 hours before the scalp makes contact with any water or other liquids.

Minoxidil Sprays, Droppers, and Foams

If you wish to use a minoxidil spray then you can spray the solution directly into problem areas on the scalp. This is a newer and cleaner minoxidil application that reduces the amount of serum wasted and directly hits the scalp. To increase scalp contact, you should pull back or spread apart hair that is thick and abundant so that the serum can fully reach the scalp and the adjoining hair follicles.

You can also use a traditional dropper instead and simply extract 1 ml of minoxidil solution from the bottle. Once you have applied the minoxidil solution to your scalp you will need to use your fingertips to spread it around on your scalp.

Finally, a Rogaine foam version is available where the foam can be directly applied onto the scalp and then massaged in, or the foam can be placed on the fingertips first and then massaged into the scalp.

Regenepure Minoxidil 5% Spray for male pattern baldness

Visit Minoxidil Spray website for more information