Minoxidil is a drug that was developed for the treatment of high blood pressure. However, with time, it was soon found that the drug produced certain side effects such as undesired hair growth in some patients. The drug is a vasodilator which when taken orally it cause the vascular smooth muscles to relax thus lowering blood pressure. However, the drug contains a sulphate component which opens up some potassium channels in the hair follicles which stimulate hair growth. This is the reason why patients that took the drug also experienced increased hair growth. This discovery led to the development of another form of the same drug which is the topical minoxidil. The drug was approved by the US FDA for use as a topical drug in the treatment of mail pattern baldness in the 80's.

Today research on minoxidil in treating baldness has shown that the drug really does promote hair growth and can be used to slow down hair loss in mail pattern baldness. The drug has been seen to promote hair growth in the frontal and vertex parts of the scalp which are the typically affected areas in mail pattern baldness. The exact action of minoxidil in promoting hair growth is not known but some hypotheses have been put forward and some of them are still undergoing tests. A possible hypothesis about the function of minoxidil that may hold water is that the drug widens blood vessels and opens potassium channels. This also opens up way for more blood, oxygen as well as nutrients to reach the hair follicles. This will then increase cellular activity in those parts of the scalp that were experiencing hair loss. The result is that thinner hairs will be forced to shed, so as to give way for the stronger and thicker ones. Further applications of the drug will have to be continuously administered in order to maintain the new hair growth.

Minoxidil in treating baldness can also provide good results when it is used in conjunction with a strict diet and regular exercise. A good diet will ensure all the essential nutrients that are required during hair growth and hair fortification are available. Thus a good diet will ensure that not only are the building blocks of hair available but also that the hairs are supplied with extra nourishment that will make them stronger thus increasing their stay. Exercise on the other hand, encourages good blood flow to body extremities, such as the scalp. Once the scalp is supplied with a good blood flow, nutrients and oxygen will reach the hair follicles freely and efficiently. A good blood circulatory system will also ensure that toxins and undesirable secretions that are released by respiring hair follicle cells are removed and sent to the liver for detoxification fast. This is very important for accumulation of toxins in the scalp and also plays a part in promoting balding. With all this,, it is evident that minoxidil is a good drug that can be used to control male pattern baldness.