Minoxidil For Women: Benefits, Side effects and More

Most women worldwide face the problem of hair loss at some point in their lives, and some women experience hair thinning or uneven spots of baldness on the head. Hair loss problems are more common in women than in men. This hair loss condition is also known as Alopecia. It affects women emotionally and also impacts the quality of life. The central pattern of hair loss is androgenetic Alopecia. In women, this type of Alopecia begins slowly with thinning at the part line on the head, which increases to diffuse hair loss starting from the top of the head. There can be many reasons for this baldness or hair loss. This may include past medical history and stress, which can be emotional or physical. If you ever notice unwanted hair loss, you should talk to your dermatologist and treat it appropriately. Minoxidil, Pronounced as (mi nox’ i dill), is available in 2 forms: oral or topical solutions. Minoxidil for women is used to increase and activate the growth of hair and also slow down the problem of baldness. This drug effectively works in people. This drug is most effective and works well in people with age less than 40 and who have very recent hair loss. Minoxidil doesn’t have much effect on receding or diminishing hairlines. Also, minoxidil does not cure baldness completely. After stopping the drug, the hair loss might start again.

Overview of Minoxidil for women

Minoxidil was a drug that was approved and used for the treatment of hypertension, which is high blood pressure, but then people started having abnormal and unwanted hair growth in the parts of the body where they had lost it. This phenomenon was noticed for the time and then researchers confirmed that Minoxidil can cause hair growth when applied over the scalp.

After the approval from the researchers, the FDA approved minoxidil in 2% form as an OTC drug to treat hair loss in women, thus the safest and best minoxidil for women. So, from here, it started as a hair loss treatment, and now a 5% solution is also available in the market, which is of a more muscular strength required for hair loss in women. So, there are two types of minoxidil: one comes in 2% and the other in 5%. Minoxidil 5% might cause damaging side effects like abnormal hair growth on the face or other unwanted body parts.

Minoxidil doesn’t do wonders or miracles; it promotes and stimulates hair growth. But only some get the total volume and density of the hair back as earlier. It doesn’t act within minutes; using the minoxidil for at least 2 weeks starts working. The primary and required effects can be seen only after 3-4 months. It might also take longer to show its action, so the trial plan must be done for 6-12 months. If minoxidil starts working well for you, then you should keep using it to get consistent results; otherwise, if you stop the drug, then again, the hair loss might start.

How to use topical Minoxidil effectively?

Here are some steps you need to follow for effective use of minoxidil:

• Always apply minoxidil on dry scalp and hair only.

• Appropriately use the pump and the dropper provided with the drug.

• Apply it 2 times a day on the hair loss areas regularly or as directed by the doctor.

• Massage your scalp well after applying the solution so that the solution can reach the base of the hair follicles and the scalp to promote hair growth.

• Air dry your hair after doing this.

• Wash your hands, and extra solution dripped on other body parts.

• Keep it for at least 4 hours, and then shampoo it nicely.

On applying the minoxidil, if you ever feel any irritation or dryness, this might cause a problem called atopic dermatitis. Contact your doctor if you see so.

Also Read: How to Stop Alopecia Areata from Spreading?

Uses of Minoxidil for women

Women can use minoxidil for various reasons, Some of them are mentioned below:

• For overall scalp hair growth

• As a treatment for baldness

• Hair growth for thinning hair

• For sudden or patchy hair loss

• For hair loss after giving birth to a baby

• For genetically acquired hair loss

Topical and Oral minoxidil side effects

Is minoxidil safe? Although minoxidil is safe, it can also lead to some side effects; these can be as below:

• Hypertrichosis (abnormal hair growth on the face)

• Skin dryness and irritation

• Allergic reactions

• Burning and redness at the site of the application

• Unwanted facial hair

• Unwanted body hair

• Rapid heartbeat

• Fainting

• Pain in chest

• Weight gain

• Difficulty in breathing

• Tiredness

• Rashes

• Dizziness and lethargy

• Swelling of body parts

Precautions for using Minoxidil

Although topical minoxidil is an OTC drug, oral minoxidil cannot be purchased over the counter. Some precautions must be taken while you use it. These are as below:

• Before starting the use of minoxidil, tell your pharmacist if you are allergic to the drug or any other ingredients. Talk to them in detail.

• If you face any side effects of the drug, immediately stop using it and contact your doctor about the problems.

• If you have any cardiac problems or any diseases of the skin, then you must inform and consult your doctor about this before starting the use of minoxidil.

• If you are pregnant, then contact your doctor and ask before using it.

• If you are lactating, then consult with your doctor, as the drug can pass through the breast milk. This can cause problems for the baby.

Also Read: Benefits of Breastfeeding For Mom & Baby

Frequently Asked Questions