woman Minoxidil Regaine 5

What is the risk for a woman applying Minoxidil (Regaine or Rogaine) 5 %?

The pharmaceutical companies which commercialize Regaine are too cautious regarding the potential side effects of the minoxidil in women. Indeed, a growth of hair on the lower part of the face has been noticed in women using the minoxidil 5 %, as well as a hypotensive tendency sometimes and a local irritation of the scalp. This growth of hair might be linked to the migration of the product, either via the blood circulation, or by the flow via the lymphatics through the face skin. Therefore we advise the user to check her face carefully. If hairs appear, it is recommended to stop the application of the lotion or to decrease the dose and the frequency.

difference Minoxidil Regaine Rogaine 2 5

What is the difference between Minoxidil and Rogaine?

Minoxidil is the scientific, generic name. Regaine or Rogaine are the commercial names of the minoxidil. These products are of course more expensive than the generic form which can also be bought at the pharmacist’s. Regaine often crystallizes less frequently than the generic form. I recommend to always buy spare spray tips in order to be able to replace those who get blocked   by  the minoxidil precipitation.

Minoxidil Regaine Rogaine heart cardiac blood pressure

Is it recommended to use Minoxidil (Regaine or Rogaine) in persons having cardiac problems?

A priori there is not contraindication. Indeed, Minoxidil (Regaine or Rogaine) is a powerful hypotensor which acts by arteries vasodilatation when it is taken in tablet. When it is used in the case of hair loss, it is applied on the skin on a local level. At this moment, there is a small local reduction and in certain particularly sensitive patients, a slight low blood pressure might occur. In this case, it will be necessary to decrease the dose or, worse, to stop the use of minoxidil.

Minoxidil Regaine Rogaine foamhair transplant replacement restoration

Do we know how Minoxidil acts?

Rather surprisingly, no one knows precisely how Minoxidil (Regaine or Rogaine) acts. When it is taken by the mouth (oral route), it has a hypotensive action by vasodilatation (dilatation of arteries). It is possible that it acts in the same way when it is used in its liquid form. It penetrates the skin and might act on the follicle vascularization on a local level. The fact remains that if no one knows exactly how it acts, we know very well  the effects it produces on hair: it lengthens the term of the hair cycle, which means that it gives hair the possibility to live longer and therefore to grow. We have also noticed an increase of the diameter of miniaturized hair.

women and minoxidil

Why is Minoxidil (Regaine or Rogaine) 5% not recommended in women?

I think this is the consequence of the drift of our notion of caution regarding the use of medications. Indeed, after many complaints from consumers in recent years, pharmaceutical companies, covered with legal advice, make every effort to avoid trials and convictions. From the moment that hair appeared on the face of women using Minoxidil (Rogaine or Regaine) (evidence that it is active on the hair), and this mainly when the rate of 5 % was used (evidence that a higher rate is more effective), the company chose to disadvise its use in women. I think it is perfectly legitimate for a woman to use it. They should just pay close attention to the appearance of facial hair. If it occurs (the frequency of appearance is very weak),  it is of course always time to decrease the dosage.

Minoxidil Regaine Rogaine pregnant pregnancy woman

Is Minoxidil (Regaine or Rogaine) recommended during a pregnancy / before / after?

We only have little proof of the Minoxidil (Regaine or Rogaine) toxicity in pregnant women. http: // thedrugsafety.com / minoxidil /.  The four cases mentioned in literature show anomalies in the fetus development. In these four cases, women used the oral route minoxidil, and not the liquid form.  As a result, the exposure was more important than when it is used in the liquid form at local level. However, we know that the minoxidil is fully or partly absorbed by the skin. So, it is disadvised to continue using the minoxidil during the pregnancy. However, the good news is that the pregnancy in itself protects the hair of the woman thanks to the increase of the estrogen rate. It will therefore be necessary to pay attention to resume taking minoxidil after delivery. The use of Minoxidil (Regaine or Rogaine) during feeding is moreover allowed.

Minoxidil spray bottle application

Which is the advice for the application of Minoxidil (Regaine or Rogaine) to avoid oily hair?

The users often complain about the tendency of the minoxidil to grease hair. It is due to the use of propylene glycol in the lotion composition. This product favors the solubilization of the minoxidil but is not volatile. When the lotion is applied on the hair, alcohol evaporates and only the minoxidil and the propylene glycol remain. There are therefore two good reasons to avoid applying the solution to hair itself. On the one hand, because the minoxidil which lands on the surface of the hair has no action on it and, on the other hand, because doing so hair will be “greasy”. It is therefore necessary to use small sprays with long beak such as those made for throat pains, and to pulverize in small touches in between the hair.

stopping treatment Minoxidil Regaine Rogaine

While the stop of the Minoxidil (Regaine or Rogaine) application is not recommended, why is it necessary to stop it for some days during a hair transplant? What are the possible consequences of this stop on the fall out of hair?

You must continue using Minoxidil (Regaine or Rogaine) until the day of the surgery. However it is imperative to stop it during about ten days after the surgery. We are just cautious about the possible effect that the alcohol in the solution might have on the grafts.

Minoxidil propecia delay time utilisation

At what moment does the treatment (minoxidil or propecia) become useless? When can you consider that the hair loss has stabilized?

The minoxidil as well as the finasteride are symptomatic treatments. It means that they treat the consequences and not the cause of the disease. This one is hereditary and up to now cannot be treated in a definitive way. Minoxidil (Regaine or Rogaine) and Finasteride only act on areas where hair remains. When the skin is absolutely beardless, it is useless to continue applying it. Unfortunately, it will not cause any re-growth at this level.

Minoxidil acceleration hair loss

I am quiet worried. For over two months, I am using Minoxidil twice a day as my Doctor recommended me to do. I have the clear impression that I am losing more hair than in the past. Is it normal?

Sometimes, and in a few cases only (around 5% of the patients using the treatment), a hair loss may occur in the part treated with Minoxidil. Usually, it is just a transitional loss which often starts between two weeks and two months after the beginning of the treatment. It may be due to the acceleration of the loss process of those hair which where going to fall soon. I advice you to wait for two more months and then the beneficial effects of the Minoxidil should be visible. If this does not happen, you will have to stop it and possibly start to use Propecia.