{"id":2992,"date":"2019-11-17T11:00:50","date_gmt":"2019-11-17T19:00:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/barbersurgeonsguild.com\/a\/dispatch\/?p=2992"},"modified":"2023-11-28T21:31:59","modified_gmt":"2023-11-28T21:31:59","slug":"minoxidil-for-men-does-it-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/barbersurgeonsguild.com\/es\/magazine\/minoxidil-for-men-does-it-work\/","title":{"rendered":"Minoxidil for Men: Does It Work? Everything You Need to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019re losing your hair, then you know all too well how much it sucks. It can make you feel unattractive and self-conscious. It can cause stress and anxiety. You feel like you\u2019re losing your youth and your looks. You used to walk into a bar and wonder which girl you would take home. Now, you pull your hat closer to your head for fear that someone might learn the truth.<\/span><\/p>\n

Minoxidil for men offers a ray of hope.<\/span><\/p>\n

More commonly known as its brand name Rogaine, minoxidil has been treating hair loss <\/span>since the 1980s<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The moment you notice a receding hairline or a bald spot, you will feel like running to the closest pharmacy to buy minoxidil for men. Before you do that, learn about the pros, cons, and alternatives.<\/span><\/p>\n

When you know more about hair loss treatments, you get to choose an option that works well for you.<\/span><\/p>\n

How Minoxidil for Men Prevents Hair Loss<\/b><\/h2>\n

Gunter Kahn and Paul Grant discovered minoxidil’s hair-growth potential by accident while working at the University of Colorado. Grant approached Paul about a patient getting treated for hypertension. He had given her minoxidil during an experimental trial for Upjohn (now Pfizer).<\/span><\/p>\n

To everyone\u2019s surprise, the woman had grown a lot of hair while taking minoxidil. Like, a lot of hair! The patient said that she used to get her hair cut once every three to four months. Now, it was more like every three to four weeks.<\/span><\/p>\n

She\u2019d also started growing excessive hair on her legs, which she had never needed to shave before taking minoxidil.<\/span><\/p>\n

What was going on here?<\/b><\/h2>\n

It turns out that the drug designed to lower blood pressure could also <\/span>enlarge hair follicles<\/span><\/a>. The drug also elongated the hair growth phase of the follicles.<\/span><\/p>\n

Basically, minoxidil for men could give you more follicles that live longer and grow more hair.<\/span><\/p>\n

Minoxidil Doesn\u2019t Work for All Types of Hair Loss<\/b><\/h2>\n

Minoxidil works best for male pattern baldness. (It also works for female pattern baldness, but this article is directed at men.)<\/span><\/p>\n

According to the <\/span>American Hair Loss Association<\/span><\/a>, male pattern baldness accounts for about 95% of hair loss in men. That\u2019s good news for most men, but it means that others probably won\u2019t get the results that they expect from minoxidil for men.<\/span><\/p>\n

For example, if you have a receding hairline, minoxidil won\u2019t do much for you. The drug works best for men with thinning hair on top of their heads.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you have receding hair or bald spots along your hairline, don\u2019t turn to minoxidil. You\u2019re wasting your money and giving yourself false hope.<\/span><\/p>\n

Other Limitations of Minoxidil for Men<\/b><\/h2>\n

Your age affects how well minoxidil will work for you. If you\u2019re <\/span>under 40 years old<\/span><\/a>, then you have a higher chance of regrowing hair with minoxidil. The older you get, the less you can expect from minoxidil treatments.<\/span><\/p>\n

This might be the one time that you wish you had started losing your hair earlier in life!<\/span><\/p>\n

Minoxidil\u2019s effectiveness also declines the longer you wait to use it. For the best results, you need to start applications as soon as you notice thinning hair. If you wait until you have a noticeable bald spot on your crown, you may find it impossible to regrow much hair with minoxidil.<\/span><\/p>\n

There are also a few other limitations that you should know before you start using minoxidil for men.<\/span><\/p>\n

Minoxidil Only Works as Long as You Use It<\/b><\/h2>\n

Minoxidil is not a cure for thinning hair or baldness. It\u2019s a treatment that you need to use twice a day. If you stop using minoxidil for men, you will start to lose your hair, again.<\/span><\/p>\n

A lot of men find that this is a huge pain in the ass. Do you want to commit to putting minoxidil on your head twice a day for the rest of your life?<\/span><\/p>\n

What if you spend the night at someone\u2019s house? Are you willing to use the minoxidil in front of a girlfriend or casual encounter?<\/span><\/p>\n

Even if you don\u2019t feel embarrassed about letting your partner know that you use a hair loss treatment, you need to consider the smell. Minoxidil has an alcohol smell that isn\u2019t very pleasant. Some brands use fragrances to cover the scent. If you go with the cheaper options, though, you will smell funky when you get into bed.<\/span><\/p>\n

That\u2019s going to put a serious damper on your sex life.<\/span><\/p>\n

Minoxidil Can Get Expensive Over Time<\/b><\/h2>\n

A one-month supply of Men\u2019s Rogaine, the most popular minoxidil brand, costs about $25. Even when you buy in bulk, you can expect to spend at least $45 for a three-month supply.<\/span><\/p>\n

Assuming that you buy in bulk, you will spend about $180 per year on minoxidil. If you start using the hair loss drug at 25, you\u2019ll spend well over $8,000 by the time you retire.<\/span><\/p>\n

Actually, that\u2019s less money than you will spend. Inflation will push the price of all products up over time. When you choose a treatment instead of a cure, you have no idea how much money you will spend over your lifetime. That sucks!<\/span><\/p>\n

Possible Side Effects of Using Minoxidil for Men<\/b><\/h2>\n

Like any drug, minoxidil can cause side effects. Most of the side effects that men experience don\u2019t disrupt their lives. They\u2019re just annoying. Other side effects can be severe enough to put your health at risk.<\/span><\/p>\n

Luckily, the worst side effects are rare. Knowing potential problems, however, will make it easier for you to decide whether minoxidil for men is a good option for preventing your hair loss.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some bothersome side effects that men report after applying minoxidil include:<\/span><\/p>\n