Minoxidil For Hair Loss

Minoxidil is a medication that gained popularity in the 1990s as an over-the-counter (OTC) hair loss treatment. Originally, it was used to treat hypertension and similar complications of high blood pressure.[2] As it was discovered to cause hair growth as a side effect, it was eventually developed as a topical medication to treat alopecia.[3]

Common forms of topical minoxidil are foams, sprays, and lotions or creams. Liquid solutions are also available, some with concentrations of the drug reaching 10% to 15%.

With that said, higher concentrations will require prescriptions, especially for custom formulations. Speak with your doctor if you’re interested in whether or not stronger minoxidil is a good fit for your treatment.

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.

There are a few side effects of minoxidil which may lead to the following unexpected reactions:[4]

• Shortness of breath or chest pains
• Fluid retention
• Increased heart rate (or other arrhythmias)
• Light-headed sensations
• Dizziness

Speaking with your doctor before starting a new medication can help you in understanding the side effects whilst trying to avoid and minimise their risks. Contact your Mosh doctor immediately if you experience any of the listed side effects or other adverse reactions during the course of your treatment.

Generally speaking, if your hair begins shedding, then you’re experiencing the effects of minoxidil.

Don’t be alarmed – this is part of the process,[5] though there are instances where the effects of minoxidil won’t result in the initial shedding.

It’s because minoxidil works to stimulate 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).

The telogen phase is where roughly 97% of our retained hair is at any given time, as this phase typically lasts for months before moving on to the exogen phase, or the shedding. In order for your hair to reach the anagen phase and grow new hair, it must first go through the shedding part.
The good news is that minoxidil is a well-documented hair treatment,[6] and has had medically backed results regarding its effectiveness.

When used as prescribed or indicated, it generally takes an estimated eight weeks of regular treatment[7] for hair growth to become noticeable when using minoxidil.  Tablets for hair loss that contain the drug may have a different timetable depending on the active ingredient and strength, however, and it would be best to speak to your doctor regarding its effectiveness.

Mosh offers a variety of hair growth and care treatments, including topical minoxidil. Additionally, there are also hair growth vitamins that can encourage and support hair growth with essential nutrient supplements.

Thanks to the progress in research, there are other options for hair loss treatments other than minoxidil. Supplemental over-the-counter products – such as our hair vitamins – can aid in fortifying the body, including hair growth and scalp health. Supplements for essential nutrients like zinc, iron, and vitamin B7 (also known as biotin) are good starting points.[8]

Meanwhile, there are more invasive options, which will require you to consult with your doctor first.

Treatments like platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections and laser treatments are gaining some popularity; however, while they have had observed positive effects, the research is not yet conclusive, and many studies on their effectiveness are under peer review.[11] Hair transplants are also popular and have some effectiveness, but is also an invasive procedure and comes with some risks.[9]

If you’re considering changing your hair loss treatment to an alternative, we strongly encourage consulting with your doctor first, even for OTC options. Every person’s bodily chemical makeup is unique – speak with your doctor first before introducing a new treatment into your system.

Personal health is a big deal, and we at Mosh help treat more than just a receding hairline. 

Mosh is an online health platform for men that aims to provide personalised clinical treatments for their health problems. Among the health concerns we help treat and address are hair loss, weight issues, and erectile dysfunction. If you’re going through mental health concerns and looking for a psychologist online, the services we offer can assist you there too.

The Mosh team includes several fully licenced AHPRA-registered doctors experienced in consulting for various health problems and concerns; you can rest assured that you’re in professional and expert hands.

Along with topical minoxidil and male pattern baldness treatments, the Mosh team will help you find a suitable doctor. When it comes to weight loss diet planning, our team is more than happy to help you lose those few extra pounds with our weight loss programs. You can schedule an online consultation with one of our doctors as soon as possible by completing our short online questionnaire.

Our time and health are two assets that we cannot get back once we’ve lost them. For the latter’s sake, make the most of the former, and don’t wait to get your health back on track.

Join our community and speak with your Mosh doctor today.