What is minoxidil?
Minoxidil was first used to treat patients with hypertension. The drug is known as a vasodilator. It opens up the blood vessels to ease the blood flow and helps lower blood pressure.
How does minoxidil work?
Research has shown that minoxidil shortens the resting phase of the hair growth cycle, which causes it to enter the growing phase. There’s also evidence that it can help make the growing phase longer and increase the size of hair follicles.[1] The reason it is used for hair treatments is that this increased blood flow affects the hair follicles. As blood carries essential nutrients that support healthy hair like oxygen to nourish the follicles, it slows down the follicle-shrinking effect of dihydrotestosterone, a hormone linked to hair loss.
How much does topical minoxidil cost?
Different percentages of concentration and bottle volumes may also affect the price. At Mosh, 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.
What are the topical minoxidil side effects?
Consult your doctor immediately if you experience side effects like rashes, burning of the scalp, irritation/redness, scalp itchiness, dryness and skin flaking.[2] There are also other reactions not listed that may occur.
Are there alternative treatments to minoxidil?
While minoxidil can help slow down hair loss and make it more manageable, there are other treatments available, such as DHT blockers or natural hair growth treatments. Doctors may also pair minoxidil with other medications for better hair growth effectiveness.
If needed, your doctor can even recommend some over-the-counter products like vitamins, supplements, shampoos, and conditioners for hair health to use alongside your minoxidil treatment.
How much minoxidil is safe for daily use?
Aside from considering the minoxidil price, anyone looking to keep their hair healthy should consider the amount that can be safely used for treatment.
The standard dosage is twice a day, but people’s bodies react differently to minoxidil, so be sure to consult your doctor about it. If you have an existing skin condition or develop a reaction to it, you should let your doctor know. This could lead to too much absorption of minoxidil into the body, which may increase the risk of unnecessary side effects like flaky skin, swelling, or a faster heart rate.
The medication's dose will vary from patient to patient, depending on the user’s sensitivity to it. When buying minoxidil, the bottle usually comes with patient instructions, which you should read carefully. However, the doctor can also adjust the dosage and application frequency according to your personal situation. If your dose differs from the standard one, don’t change it unless your doctor instructs you to.
Topics like ‘minoxidil price’ and ‘minoxidil ingredients’ have been gaining interest lately. So if you’ve got questions like ‘Where can I buy minoxidil in Australia?’ or ‘Where to get minoxidil?’, our Aussie doctors here at Mosh can answer all your questions and tell you all about the different hair loss treatment options that are available and outline what, if any, might be able to help you with your situation.
Do I need to apply a lot of minoxidil for it to be effective?
Different products have different concentrations of the medicine, which is part of the reason why minoxidil prices can vary so widely.
But you shouldn’t make the mistake of thinking that higher percentages like ‘minoxidil extra strength’ are necessarily better. Someone sensitive to the medicine can get just as much out of a lower-strength solution as someone else from a more concentrated solution. Upping the strength or the number of applications beyond a physician’s advice won’t win you any extra benefits and may end up costing more.
The amount of medicine applied would depend on the strength of the medication, your personal medical history and the condition that you are treating (not all hair loss cases are the same). These will also determine the type of product you should use (minoxidil drops, minoxidil spray, hair growth foam), as well as the dosage per day, the interval between doses, and the duration of treatment.
The liquid form of minoxidil used for drops and sprays is made up of propylene glycol, water, and alcohol. Some users experience skin irritation due to propylene glycol, which is why the foam version was developed without it to reduce the likelihood of such symptoms.[3]
Is generic minoxidil just as effective?
While any generic minoxidil for sale might have the same key ingredients as the rest, if your goal is to save up those dollars and your hair, getting your hands on cheap minoxidil isn’t the way to do it. The value of hair loss treatment doesn’t lie in minoxidil price or strength; it’s in getting the right advice that suits your specific needs.
Remember that the best treatment is one that considers your personal medical history, lifestyle, surroundings, and even routines.
You don’t need to keep researching ‘minoxidil price’ or ‘minoxidil max’ on the web or wonder where to buy minoxidil. Minoxidil treatment is only one type out of many options that are available for maintaining hair health. Penny-pinching and guesswork aren’t always easier on the pocket. One effective treatment is heaps better than a series of cheaper ones that don’t work for you.
That is where we at Mosh can be of service to you. More than a men’s health clinic, we are an Australian online men’s health platform that specialises in services like skin care, weight and hair loss, and sexual and mental health. We don’t listen to those ancient social conventions that tell people which health issues are too sensitive or awkward to address properly.
If you’ve got a question about male pattern baldness treatments or the causes of erectile dysfunction, or you want to talk to a psychologist online, with Mosh, you can send a message or hop on a video call with AHPRA-registered doctors without leaving your house. No more snake oil salesmen or judgy receptionists. No more worrying about ‘minoxidil price’ or dealing with awkward searches for referrals.
At Mosh, we have a passion for men’s health. We understand that it can be a personal and arduous experience. That’s why we offer confidentiality and convenience in a discreet delivery service that sends doctor-prescribed treatment products to your home.
Say goodbye to anxious nights of wondering, ‘Why is my hair falling out? If you’re ready to take the first step towards taking care of your hair, talk to us at Mosh!