Rogaine - Does It Work?
Rogaine and Propecia
are the only 2 drugs that are approved for by FDA for treating hair
loss. Rogaine holds an active ingredient called Minoxidil,
this was originally created as a drug for treating hypertension which
is high blood pressure. It was discovered that one of its side affects
was growing hair. That’s when the FDA approved it as a drug
to help people with hair loss.
So how does it work?
Rogaine for women and Rogaine for men, work by revitalizing shrunken
hair follicles, which increases their size. The makers claim that
by using their product everyday, your follicles will start to increase
in size and the growing phase may become longer, producing longer
and thicker hair.
Rogaine is clear and alcohol based, and should be applied to a
person’s thinning area with its supplied dropper or it can
be sprayed on twice a day. The solution is approved and available
by regular (2%) and Extra Strength (5%). Those who have used regular
strength hair loss Rogaine formulas have claimed success rates of
30%-40%. People who have used Extra strength have success rates
of 50% to 60%. Currently priced at $20-$30 a month for a 2 oz. bottle.
Minoxidil is also available as a generic and can be purchased from
over the counter without a prescription.
You should note that Rogaine does not cure baldness and scientists
have been unable to determine just how the hair loss Rogaine formula
works. Though it is known that Rogaine increases blood flow to areas
of the scalp that surround these balding areas. It is believed that
Rogaine works by opening follicle’s potassium channels located
in the cells. It is thought that when these channels open, it may
produce hair regrowth. It therefore works unlike Procerin
and Provillus which are primarily classified as DHT Blockers
If you are completely bald, then Rogaine is not for you. It has
been found to be somewhat helpful in maintaining or growing hair
in the crown area, which is the top back of the head. Rogaine for
women is more effective at delaying hair loss than for men.
So what can you expect to get out of Rogaine?
Rogaine formulas only grow hair in a minority of men and women.
The best results in most cases is hair
growth with these treatments for hair loss is a thin coverage
of thin hair. The real benefit of Rogaine is keeping what hair you
still have and slowing your thinning. Rogaine can only create success
depending on how far your hair loss has advanced.
Rogaine has to be applied twice daily for life to get and maintain
and benefits. Research shows that using Rogaine once a day is not
effective. If you stop taking Rogaine after you have started you
will lose whatever hair you preserved or regrew within 2-4 months
and thinning hair and eventual loss will occur. Rogaine may restore
some hair growth but it can not prevent the hair follicles from
their eventual deterioration.
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