You’ve seen the ads, the ones that claim to be the ultimate hair loss formula.  I am not talking about the spray on bottles or homeopathic remedies.  The most popular and widely accepted hair loss formula to ever hit the market is Rogaine.  Rogaine’s medical name is minoxidil and it is famous for its abilities to stop hair loss and promote regeneration of new hairs.  Does it really work?  And, if so, how?

Minoxidil was first introduced as Loniten, a blood pressure drug taken orally.  It was quickly discovered that Loniten’s side effect was excessive hair growth and even reversal of the balding process.  The Upjohn Corporation then made a topical hair loss formula that contained 2% minoxidil and branded it as Rogaine in North America and Regaine in other regions.  It is now sold with 5% for men and still 2% for women.

The way this hair loss formula works is still quite a mystery.  It is speculated that its effectiveness comes from the fact that its chemical structure contains nitric oxide, which actually modulates the hair cycle.  Minoxidil also has the properties of a blood vessel dilator.  It is thought that these two properties together may make it able to change the way the hair cycle functions, although there is no concrete proof to this.

Does the miracle hair loss formula work?  Actually, yes.  The specially formulated composition for both men and women works wonders with a large amount of people.  Numerous studies concluded that Rogaine acts best on those with early signs of balding.  It is a hair loss formula designed more for preventative action rather than reparative.  It does not tend to work when there are large hairless patches already on the scalp.  Luckily, women are rarely affected by this pattern of hair loss.

There are some side effects to consider with minoxidil.  The most common is an itchy scalp due to the alcohol added to the application; this may also cause dandruff.  There are some rare but serious ones such as swelling of face and extremities, changes in heartbeat, faintness, cardiac lesions and negative effects on papillary muscles.  It is also possible to have an allergic reaction to this hair loss formula therefore it is important to do a test on a small area before applying to the rest of the head.

Rogaine is definitely not for everyone.  While it is the perfect hair loss formula for women who have alopecia due to genetic reasons or pregnant women suffering from postpartum alopecia, there are alternative hair loss formulas for those with androgen caused alopecia.  Antiandrogen medications must be prescribed by a physician for those with a proper diagnosis, while Rogaine can now be obtained at any drugstore without a prescription.

As with any medication, it is advisable to contact your doctor before starting any new treatment.  Find out the causes of your hair loss in order to embark on the treatment that is right for you.  If Rogaine or other brand names of minoxidil do end up being the best course of action, rest assured that this FDA approved hair loss formula is effective and safe.