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

Hair loss, on account of age or sure medical circumstances, is one downside that impacts each women and men. Be it residence treatments or medicated remedies, there appear to be many options that folks 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 could strengthen your hair follicles, and result in higher density. Nonetheless, you must also find out about minoxidil negative 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, printed in The Journal of Medical Hypertension, confirmed that it’s able to decreasing blood strain in most individuals with hypertension. “It really works by enjoyable blood vessels, and bettering blood circulation. Nonetheless, its unintended aspect impact — hair progress, led to its widespread use as a remedy for hair loss,” says inner drugs professional Dr Arvind Aggarwal.

It’s primarily utilized in two methods:

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

How does minoxidil promote hair progress?

It promotes hair progress by the next methods:

• Vasodilation (elevated blood movement): The remedy 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, guaranteeing thicker and longer hair strands. “This prevents hair from getting into the shedding section too shortly, which finally results in fuller and voluminous hair over time,” says Dr Mishra.
• Decreased hair shedding: Initially, it’s possible you’ll expertise “shedding,” however that is momentary. “Over time, this remedy strengthens the follicles, leading to much less hair fall and higher density,” says Dr Mishra.

Normally, at the very least 4 months of steady remedy with minoxidil topical resolution is required for hair progress, as per analysis printed in Medical and Experimental Dermatology in 2022. “For hair loss remedy, males usually use a 5 p.c topical resolution or foam utilized twice day by day, whereas ladies are sometimes prescribed a 2 p.c resolution twice day by day or a 5 p.c foam as soon as day by day,” says Dr Aggarwal.

What are the minoxidil negative effects?

Is minoxidil protected to make use of? Listed below are a number of the minoxidil negative effects you want to concentrate on:

1. Scalp irritation

One of many frequent minoxidil negative effects is delicate irritation, redness, or itching following software on the scalp. It could actually result in discomfort, and a burning sensation on the scalp, in accordance with analysis printed in StatPearls in 2023. “This can be on account of alcohol or propylene glycol in a number of the options,” says Dr Mishra.

2. Preliminary hair shedding

“It’s possible you’ll expertise elevated hair shedding within the preliminary weeks of utilizing the remedy 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 method for brand spanking new hair progress.

3. Dryness and flaking of the scalp

The listing of minoxidil negative effects additionally contains scalp dryness, and flaking. It could appear to be you may have dandruff. “Once you discover these issues, as a substitute of going for a chemical-loaded shampoo, use a delicate, hydrating shampoo to assist alleviate this challenge,” suggests Dr Mishra.

4. Undesirable facial hair progress

Undesirable facial hair progress is without doubt one of the minoxidil negative effects. It’s possible you’ll discover undesirable hair progress on unintended areas such because the brow or cheeks. “This could 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 remedy in oral kind may result in antagonistic results. “You could have delicate dizziness, which happens when the remedy is absorbed systemically, although that is extra frequent with the oral kind,” says Dr Aggarwal.

6. Swelling in fingers or toes

One of many uncommon minoxidil negative effects is swelling in fingers or toes. “Having the remedy in its oral kind can result in water retention, inflicting delicate swelling in fingers or toes,” says Dr Aggarwal. This doesn’t occur whereas making use of the remedy.

7. Allergic reactions

Extreme itching or rashes are among the many uncommon minoxidil negative effects. “Some individuals could develop hives, extreme itching or rashes on account of sensitivity to the elements within the remedy,” 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 without doubt one of the well-liked drugs for coping with hair loss. It could show you how to, however know the minoxidil negative effects, together with hair shedding, earlier than utilizing it.