Minoxidil Hairline

Minoxidil is a medication that was initially used to treat high blood pressure, but today, many use it to treat hair loss.

Topical minoxidil is approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration for the treatment of male pattern baldness.[1] According to research, it can be up to 60% effective in preventing hair loss and promoting hair growth.[2]

Whether the minoxidil product is in foam or liquid form, they both work by shortening the resting phase of hair growth, leading to a quicker transition to the growing phase.[1] There are four main phases in the hair growth cycle:

• anagen (growth);
• catagen (follicle shrinking);
• telogen (rest); and 
• exogen (shedding).

Typically, we retain most of the hair we grow, which lasts for months as our hair gradually sheds every day. Although it may be shocking at first to see your hair shedding, it is a natural bodily process for your hair to reach the next growth phase and grow new hair. Minoxidil products increase blood flow to the area applied and carry essential nutrients that support healthy hair like oxygen to nourish the follicles.

It’s important that you have an estimate of how much you’ll probably spend per month if you decide to use topical minoxidil to know if you can sustain it. Topical minoxidil doesn’t result in permanent scalp hair regrowth; it must be used continuously to maintain hair regrowth, if any.[3] If you are wanting a pharmacy grade treatment, the price of a 180 mL 5% minoxidil solution can be around $79, worth three months of use. If however you would like a doctor prescribed treatment, personalised to your hair loss situation, this can cost from $29 a month.

When considering topical minoxidil as a hair regrowth treatment, it’s crucial to be fully aware of the potential side effects. You may experience scalp itching, dryness, flaking, irritation, or burning. Let your doctor know if you experience any of these symptoms while using any minoxidil treatment. 
More severe side effects include weight gain, swelling of the face, difficulty breathing while lying down, rapid heart rate, chest pain, and lightheadedness.[2] You must contact your doctor immediately if any of these symptoms occur.

Using minoxidil hair products without proper guidance from a doctor can increase your chances of experiencing side effects, so consult a doctor before trying minoxidil or any type of hair loss treatment. 

Doctors usually combine minoxidil with other forms of treatment for better and more sustainable results. There are natural treatment options available in case you aren’t ready to commit to medical treatments. Vitamins, shampoos, and conditioners are also some of the over-the-counter products we offer at Mosh that can complement your minoxidil treatment.

While topical minoxidil benefits the skin and follicles that hairs grow out of, it doesn’t act on the outer hairs themselves. Plus, the solution has a greasy consistency, making it tempting to wash your hair – don’t do this before it dries.

You can comb your hair back or pull it back with a headband to expose the receding temples where you want to apply the medication. It’s also a good idea to use gloves when applying it and carefully wash your hands afterwards in case the product transfers to other areas of your body.

The medication for minoxidil hairline treatment can stain cloth and linens and leave behind an oily residue on surfaces, so take care not to lie down or put on any headgear before allowing it to fully dry to prevent any cross-contamination with other parts of the body, and to avoid any unwanted hair growth on areas of the body it comes into contact with.[3]

Minoxidil effectiveness doesn’t always work the same way for everybody. Although topical minoxidil products have standard recommended dosages, each person’s hairline and body may react differently. You should always follow your doctor’s recommendations regarding the amount to apply.

You may have a condition that makes more frequent doses less suitable for you. An increased risk of side effects can result from excessive topical minoxidil absorption into the body, so always consult your doctor before making changes to your dosage.

This is why we connect you with doctors who can address those concerns for you from the comfort of your home. Your doctor can help you get to the root of your hair problems and determine whether a minoxidil hairline treatment is suitable for your situation.

It is crucial to keep in mind minoxidil hairline treatment entails using the medication consistently for the best results. You shouldn’t expect to see any improvements overnight, so try not to become frustrated if they don’t take effect immediately. Because every person’s body is unique, the same process that could take someone else a few weeks could take you anywhere from three to six months.

Before the actual regrowth begins, you may find that you’re shedding hair. This is just a phase, so try not to worry if you find yourself going through it.[4] This is because minoxidil stimulates the onset of the anagen phase of your hair’s growth cycle. Hair growth occurs in four phases: the anagen phase (growth), the catagen phase (follicle shrinking), the telogen phase (rest), and the exogen (shedding).

About 97% of our retained hair is in the telogen phase at any given time, which lasts for months before moving on to the exogen phase, or shedding, and that last bit is necessary for your hair to reach the anagen phase and grow new hair.

Everyone’s hair loss is different, even for people with the same balding patterns. . Minoxidil is just one type of medication out of several variations that are used for thinning hairline treatment. If it’s not the right treatment for you, there are other options that you can consider.

If you are experiencing hair growth problems, you will need to consult a doctor to determine whether minoxidil is the right treatment for you. But you don’t have to continue researching online for a ‘hair loss doctor’.

With Mosh, our AHPRA-registered doctors offer online consultations where you can text, message, or video chat with them. They can answer any questions you have about ‘minoxidil hairline’ or ‘‘hair growth treatment’.

Your doctor will ask if you’re taking any other medications so they don’t interfere with the effectiveness of minoxidil or cause any unwanted drug interactions. You will also be able to determine which treatment is most suitable for you based on your medical background, including any prior treatments.

Mosh is an online men’s telehealth platform that specialises in services like skin care, weight and hair loss, and sexual and mental health. You can talk to a psychologist online, learn about erectile dysfunction, or even get advice on losing weight. We offer confidentiality and convenience in a discreet delivery service that sends doctor-prescribed treatment products from our network of pharmacies to your home.