Can The Use Of Minoxidil Help Prevent Hair Loss?

A woman can be said to be suffering from androgenetic alopecia or female pattern baldness if she keeps losing around 150 hairs per day. Once hairs are lost, they will take lots of time to grow back. So, the best strategy is to get hair loss treatment early. Overall thinning of hair is the telltale sign of androgenetic alopecia. The hair loss in women could either take place in front of the head or on the top.

In normal circumstances, around half of an inch hair growth can be seen every month. The growth phase of a hair remains for 6 years. After this, the hair growth stops, rests for a while, and then falls out. This hair is then get replaced by new hair. In normal cases, at any point of time around 85% of the hairs are in the growth phase and the rest 15% is resting.

If a woman is suffering from androgenetic alopecia, over time the hair follicles get smaller and smaller. The amount of time taken for the growth of hair gets shorter with smaller hair follicles. Once strands of hair-fall take place, new normal hair doesn’t re-grow. Instead, the strands are replaced by finer and thinner strands of hair.

To stop hair loss in women, minoxidil (Rogaine) can be extremely helpful. In certain cases, re-growth of new hair has also taken place after the use of minoxidil on healthy hair. Minoxidil is the only drug approved by the FDA that androgenetic alopecia treatments. There are two types of formulae present and they are 2% formula and 5% formula. While the 2% formula is used by women, the 5% formula is used by men. This drug works through hair follicles’ growth phase prolongation.

Hair loss is either stopped or slowed down in most women when they use minoxidil on healthy hair. It has been found to work best when you first notice hair loss. Minoxidil is an OTC counter and doesn’t need a prescription for buying. Though it can be bought over the counter, it is suggested that you visit a dermatologist or a primary care doctor before starting the treatment.