Minoxidil (Rogaine) is a hair loss treatment suggested by the best dermatologist in Mumbai that can stimulate hair growth. It works by dilating blood vessels in the scalp, allowing more oxygen and nutrients to reach the hair follicles.
It’s usually applied twice a day to the affected areas of the scalp. It takes about four months to start seeing new hair growth, but some have results sooner.
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How to apply
You can apply minoxidil to the whole scalp in either a topical solution or a foam for your hair loss treatment in Mumbai. Both of these options are formulated to improve hair growth in men with thinning or balding scalps.
Part your hair so that it is easier to reach the thinning area on your scalp, and evenly apply the minoxidil to the affected area using your fingers. Wash your hands immediately after applying this medicine, to remove any minoxidil that may be on them.
You should apply minoxidil twice a day, ideally at twelve-hour intervals. It is best to apply the spray a couple of hours before you go to bed in order to prevent the spray from rubbing off onto your pillow before it has been properly absorbed.
Dosage
Minoxidil is available in liquid, solution and foam forms. Liquid treatment is usually applied with a dropper and the solution is applied with your fingertips.
It is important to use the correct dose of the product for your scalp. It is best to start by using a quarter of the spoonful, gradually increasing over two weeks to the full dose of 1ml.
Do not apply minoxidil, says our best hair specialist in Mumbai, to open sores on the skin or cuts. This may cause itching or redness.
If you have allergies to propylene glycol, a common ingredient in some topical formulations, switch to the foam version that does not contain this.
The most common side effect of minoxidil is scalp irritation and unwanted facial hair growth. If you notice these symptoms, discontinue use and contact your doctor.
In rare cases, minoxidil can affect your blood pressure and heart rate. If you notice any of these symptoms, or if you experience chest pain, difficulty breathing or swelling of your hands or feet, call your doctor right away.
Side effects
Minoxidil is a vasodilator that opens up blood vessels to improve blood flow, encouraging hair growth. While scientists aren’t entirely sure how it works, they believe it may stimulate growth by opening the anagen phase.
The medication, says our best dermatologist, comes in a gel, foam, or solution form and is available for women and men at two different concentrations (2% and 5%). You apply it twice daily for best results, using the applicator that your doctor prescribes.
It should be used as directed and never applied to an irritated scalp or sunburned skin. Overdosing can cause serious side effects, and you should stop using it if you experience itching, hives, difficulty breathing, or sudden weight gain.
In the short term, some people may notice temporary shedding of the hair on their head, but this is expected and should fade within 6 weeks. In addition, some people may develop swelling of their ankles or fluid retention in the legs. This is not a common problem, and fewer than 5% of users experience these side effects.
Warnings
If you use minoxidil on the whole scalp, the medicine may be absorbed through the skin and into the bloodstream. This can cause unwanted side effects.
To prevent this, apply the medication on your hair only as directed. Do not use it on other parts of your body or in other applications.
Before using this medicine, tell your doctor if you have any other health problems or if you are taking any other medicines. Also tell your doctor if you smoke or drink alcohol.
You should not use this medicine if you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant. It may harm your baby.
Conclusion
If you have children, talk to your doctor about ways to keep them away from this medicine. A recent case study suggests that it can cause dangerous low blood pressure and heart rate in small children if they accidentally swallow it.
