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Using Rogaine to Fight Hair Loss
Rogaine is developed from the drug Minoxidil, a drug previously used to lower blood pressure. It is sold in a topical form, and is applied directly to the scalp, ususally twice a day for at least four months for best results. This product seems to work best for those who are younger, have not been bald for that long and have a small area of hair loss. I've also seen a lot of information online about this product growing permanent hair on women's foreheads, due to it kind of running down from the scalp after it's been applied and running it's course there. That's pretty scary, although the good news is I could find no accounts of this happening to men.
There are also a lot of if/ands & buts with Rogaine. One of the main concerns is that it (minoxidil) was originally designed to help lower blood pressure and can also do that when used in Rogaine. It can also cause weight gain due to fluid retention, itching and flaking due to the dryness of the scalp. Women who are nursing/pregnant should also avoid this product as it may cause complications and birth defects.When you use Rogaine make sure you have no current damage to your scalp, such as any burns or cuts as that will allow more of the drug into your blood stream, something that is never recommended. When you are taking Rogaine, it is applied generally twice a day in 1mL portions to the balding parts of your scalp. It is also never recommended that Rogaine be applied to any other part of your body as it can cause many dangerous side effects.
Within 4 months you should start to notice new hair growth. The new hairs will be thin and light in color but they will be there. Within a year you should notice a major difference in your hairs thickness and color as all the hair that Rogaine has stimulated growth to should be fully grown in at this point. If at the 4 month point you see no results at all, you could consider discontinuing use, although at that point all of the hairs that are on their way back will recede again. The best way to judge results is by taking before and after pictures and examining them closely. If I were to try this treatment I would go at least 6 months before making a final decision.
Overall, Rogaine may be a perfect solution if you spot hair loss in the very early stages. That is where it seems to really be effective, especailly if are younger and haven't been losing hair long. If you are middle-aged and have been bald since early adulthood, I wouldn't recommend this product to you. The risks with blood pressure and weight gain also are something you don't need to deal with when you're older. There are good sides to this product, and remember, it is FDA approved, which means it is possible that it can and will work, as long as you are the right candidate for using the product.