Is it safe to use minoxidil for hair growth? 7 side effects to be wary of

Hair loss, as a consequence of age or sure medical circumstances, is one downside that impacts each women and men. Be it residence treatments or medicated therapies, there appear to be many options that individuals could swear by. Whereas some do-it-yourself oil-mixes would possibly do the trick for you, your physician may inform you to go for minoxidil, a medicine for individuals with hypertension, which helps with hair loss. It might strengthen your hair follicles, and result in higher density. Nevertheless, you also needs to learn about minoxidil unwanted effects earlier than making it a part of your hair care routine.

What’s minoxidil?

It’s a vasodilator, a medicine that opens up blood vessels, developed to handle hypertension (hypertension). A 2007 examine, revealed in The Journal of Medical Hypertension, confirmed that it’s able to decreasing blood stress in most individuals with hypertension. “It really works by enjoyable blood vessels, and bettering blood circulation. Nevertheless, its unintended aspect impact — hair progress, led to its widespread use as a remedy for hair loss,” says inside medication knowledgeable Dr Arvind Aggarwal.

It’s primarily utilized in two methods:

• As an oral treatment, it’s prescribed for extreme hypertension, often when different therapies have failed.
• In its topical type, it’s utilized on to the scalp to deal with androgenetic alopecia, also called female and male sample baldness.

How does minoxidil promote hair progress?

It promotes hair progress by way of the next methods:

• Vasodilation (elevated blood movement): The treatment widens blood vessels, enhancing blood circulation to the hair follicles. “This elevated oxygen and nutrient provide helps to revive the dormant hair follicles. Higher blood movement ensures that follicles obtain the important vitamins required for hair progress,” says beauty and aesthetic surgeon Dr Shweta Mishra.
• Extended anagen section (progress section): Hair grows in cycles, and minoxidil extends the anagen (progress) section, making certain thicker and longer hair strands. “This prevents hair from getting into the shedding section too rapidly, which in the end results in fuller and voluminous hair over time,” says Dr Mishra.
• Decreased hair shedding: Initially, you might expertise “shedding,” however that is short-term. “Over time, this treatment strengthens the follicles, leading to much less hair fall and higher density,” says Dr Mishra.

Often, not less than 4 months of steady remedy with minoxidil topical resolution is required for hair progress, as per analysis revealed in Medical and Experimental Dermatology in 2022. “For hair loss remedy, males usually use a 5 p.c topical resolution or foam utilized twice each day, whereas ladies are sometimes prescribed a 2 p.c resolution twice each day or a 5 p.c foam as soon as each day,” says Dr Aggarwal.

What are the minoxidil unwanted effects?

Is minoxidil protected to make use of? Listed here are a few of the minoxidil unwanted effects you want to concentrate on:

1. Scalp irritation

One of many frequent minoxidil unwanted effects is gentle irritation, redness, or itching following utility on the scalp. It may possibly result in discomfort, and a burning sensation on the scalp, in line with analysis revealed in StatPearls in 2023. “This can be as a consequence of alcohol or propylene glycol in a few of the options,” says Dr Mishra.

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2. Preliminary hair shedding

“Chances are you’ll expertise elevated hair shedding within the preliminary weeks of utilizing the treatment topically,” says Dr Aggarwal. It may be alarming at first, however it’s often a short lived section earlier than new progress begins. This occurs as a result of weaker hair is pushed out, making means for brand new hair progress.

3. Dryness and flaking of the scalp

The record of minoxidil unwanted effects additionally consists of scalp dryness, and flaking. It might seem like you have got dandruff. “Whenever you discover these issues, as a substitute of going for a chemical-loaded shampoo, use a mild, hydrating shampoo to assist alleviate this situation,” suggests Dr Mishra.

4. Undesirable facial hair progress

Undesirable facial hair progress is among the minoxidil unwanted effects. Chances are you’ll discover undesirable hair progress on unintended areas such because the brow or cheeks. “This may occur if the liquid trickles past the scalp whereas making use of it,” says Dr Aggarwal.

5. Dizziness

It isn’t simply topically, however utilizing this treatment in oral type may result in adversarial results. “You will have gentle dizziness, which happens when the treatment is absorbed systemically, although that is extra frequent with the oral type,” says Dr Aggarwal.

6. Swelling in arms or toes

One of many uncommon minoxidil unwanted effects is swelling in arms or toes. “Having the treatment in its oral type can result in water retention, inflicting gentle swelling in arms or toes,” says Dr Aggarwal. This doesn’t occur whereas making use of the treatment.

7. Allergic reactions

Extreme itching or rashes are among the many uncommon minoxidil unwanted effects. “Some individuals could develop hives, extreme itching or rashes as a consequence of sensitivity to the elements within the treatment,” says Dr Mishra. If you happen to discover persistent rashes or swelling, cease making use of it or consuming it, and attain out to a health care provider.

Minoxidil is among the standard medicines for coping with hair loss. It might assist you to, however know the minoxidil unwanted effects, together with hair shedding, earlier than utilizing it.