Minoxidil Spray

What is Minoxidil? Often sold under one of its brand names – such as Regaine or Rogaine – Minoxidil is one of the two approved medicines for the treatment of androgenic alopecia, or MPB. The other is the famous Finasteride. However, where that drug tackles the hormone responsible for MPB, Minoxidil boosts the health of your hair follicles. We know that this combination makes for a good team, and research suggests that the impact of using both when treating MPB is better in 9/10 men.

When you are taking any medication, it is important to know precisely what you are letting yourself in for. So, here are some things you need to know about Minoxidil – including how to take it and its adverse effects – before tackling MPB.

Minoxidil works as a vasodilator, widening blood vessels in your scalp to encourage blood flow to the area. This encourages more nutrients and oxygen to reach the scalp, helping to support hair follicles to return to health. In this way, Minoxidil works to “reset” the life cycle of your follicles, meaning that their growth phase is longer and the resulting hair thicker and healthier. This, of course, means hair regrowth.

Yes, whether as a topical solution, foam, or spray, Minoxidil has been shown in clinical trials to reverse male pattern hair loss. And, although Finasteride is more effective, Minoxidil is approved and licensed in the UK and by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for this very purpose. Studies have shown that over 60% of men who tried the treatment saw their hair loss stop or reverse.

No treatment for hair loss is instantly successful, and Minoxidil is no exception. So, expect to see a difference to your hairline after 3-6 months of continuous use. Whilst for some it can be longer, for others the timelines can be much shorter. Every man is different. Yet, there is one thing true for us all: to tackle balding, you need continuous treatment. If you stop using Minoxidil, MPB will return.

With hair loss treatment, it’s really a case of the sooner the better. Minoxidil therapy promotes follicular health, but if your hair loss has progressed too far without treatment, these follicles can be permanently damaged. If there are areas that have no hair and haven’t for a long time, you may not see regrowth from any treatment. With topical Minoxidil, there is no such thing as too soon.

Unlike Finasteride, which is taken as a pill, Minoxidil is applied topically as a spray. This can make it a little fiddly at first, but you will get the hang of it quickly.

If you’re using the 5% strength Minoxidil solution, apply it twice daily directly onto the affected area. (note, there is a stronger 10% solution available, which should be used more sparingly). Avoid drippage and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards – as you don’t want the active ingredient in unintended areas. Stick to the recommended dose, and if you miss an application, don’t double the next dose to “catch up”. This will only increase the chances of side effects – without improving the results.

Remember, there is no quick fix for hair loss – and Minoxidil treatment takes time. So, keep it up daily and you will see results.

While Minoxidil is an over-the-counter medication, it is crucial that people who do not need to take the medicine do not take it. Medication used incorrectly can be seriously harmful.

Minoxidil should only be used by men with male pattern baldness. Other types of hair loss – including alopecia areata – will not be effectively treated with Minoxidil. So, if your hair loss is accompanied by scabs and lesions, for example, do not take Minoxidil. This only increases the chances of the drug entering your bloodstream.

It is generally not recommended for people with uncontrolled high or low blood pressure (as per our guidelines). Combining Minoxidil with medications for these conditions increases the risk of side effects. Do not use the medication if you are under eighteen years old. If you are a woman, talk to a healthcare professional before using Minoxidil – particularly if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Regaine for women is available, but it is not in our offering and is a different licensed product

The side effects of Minoxidil are rare and, when they do occur, they are usually temporary and mild. However, you do need to understand the risks.

The most common side effect of Minoxidil is irritated skin where the spray has been applied. In the majority of cases, this is the result of the alcohol within the solution. If you already have scalp irritation or itchiness, however, do not apply the formulation.

Because Minoxidil is a vasodilator, it can lower your blood pressure slightly. Symptoms associated with this include dizziness, tiredness, and drowsiness, as well as swelling around the face and hands. Other side effects can include vision alterations, nausea, changes to your heart beat, chest pain, and flushing. Do not use the medication if you are under eighteen years old. If you are a woman, talk to a healthcare professional before using Minoxidil – particularly if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Regaine for women is available, but it is not in our offering and is a different licensed product.

If you experience any of these – or if you come out in a rash or have severe itching – stop using Minoxidil immediately and consult a doctor

Note: Shedding is a common short-term side effect, typically occurring during the first 2-3 weeks of use. This is nothing to panic about, and actually shows the treatment is working. It’s a positive sign. Shedding that persists beyond this timeframe should be reviewed by your GP to exclude other causes.

Of course, there are other options for treating hair loss. One of the most high-profile is the hair transplant. These work wonders for many men, offering an immediate boost in confidence. However, the choice between a hair transplant and hair loss medication is ultimately yours.

You’ll know already that hair transplants are incredibly expensive. You’ll probably know too that you will have to undergo real surgery – which can seem a little radical. Something you might not know, however, is that hair transplant surgery does not actually stop a progressive condition like MPB. Your hair follicles, transplanted or not, will still be vulnerable to DHT.

This means that, often, men who choose hair surgery are required to use Minoxidil or Finasteride all the same. This prevents further hair loss post-op – and prevents the need for further surgery too. Yet, it does mean that surgery is not the quick and tidy one-off solution many claim.

If you are still able to grow hair, we would recommend treatment with Minoxidil or Finasteride – or both. They are the only medically approved ways to prevent further hair loss, and even reverse it. Voy is an accredited online pharmacy, and Finasteride an FDA-approved treatment for MPB. Unlike many other online vendors, we’re clinical professionals, experienced in tackling men’s hair loss. So, just get in touch for expert advice and support.

Androgenetic alopecia, or male pattern baldness (MPB), strikes the majority of us. It’s caused by DHT, a hormone to which our hair follicles are sensitive. When there’s too much DHT in our system, the follicles – particularly those at the hairline and crown – weaken, shrink, and stop producing hair. Unfortunately, it’s not just older men that suffer. 20% of men in their 20s experience MPB, and 30% in their 30s too.