Male pattern hair loss is a common issue among men that affects their physical appearance and self-esteem. There are many treatments available to help combat hair loss, and the new addition is oral minoxidil. In this blog, we will explore what oral minoxidil is, how it works, and its effectiveness in treating male pattern hair loss.
What is Oral Minoxidil?
Minoxidil is a medication that was originally used to treat high blood pressure. However, it was discovered that one of its side effects was increased hair growth. As a result, minoxidil was later developed into a topical solution for hair loss treatment. Now, oral minoxidil is a prescription medication used to treat high blood pressure and in low dose, it can be used in male pattern hair loss.
How Does Oral Minoxidil Work?
Oral minoxidil works by dilating blood vessels, which increases blood flow to hair follicles. This increased blood flow delivers more nutrients and oxygen to hair follicles, stimulating hair growth. It also increases the size of hair follicles, which results in thicker hair strands.
Oral minoxidil is believed to work better than topical minoxidil due to the fact that the drug is going through the bloodstream and reaching the hair follicle more predictively as compared to topical solutions where the response may vary depending on how an individual is applying it.
Effectiveness of Oral Minoxidil in Treating Male Pattern Hair Loss
Oral minoxidil has been shown to be effective in treating male pattern hair loss. A study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found that oral minoxidil increased hair growth in 65% of men with male pattern hair loss. Another study published in the International Journal of Trichology found that oral minoxidil was more effective than topical minoxidil in treating male pattern hair loss.
Side effects of oral minoxidil
However rare, like any medication, oral minoxidil does come with minor side effects. These can include dizziness, headaches, excessive hair growth in females and fluid retention. It is important to talk to a healthcare professional before starting any new medication to determine if it is right for you.
In Conclusion
Oral minoxidil is a medication that has been found to be effective in treating male pattern hair loss. By increasing blood flow to hair follicles, stimulates hair growth and thickens hair strands. However, it is important to talk to a healthcare professional before starting any new medication to determine if it is right for you. If you are experiencing male pattern hair loss, oral minoxidil may be an option worth considering.
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