Minoxidil was first introduced as an oral medication for the treatment of severe and recalcitrant hypertension in the 1970s
Coincidentally, physicians observed hair regrowth and generalized hypertrichosis in balding patients, which led to the development of a topical minoxidil formulation for treating androgenetic alopecia (AGA) first in male and then in female individuals
Minoxidil works to relieve hypertension by acting as a vasodilator. This same vasodilatory property is responsible for the effectiveness of Minoxidil in stimulating hair re-growth
lt causes vasodilation of the blood vessel by releasing nitric oxide which is known to widen the diameter of the vessels
Use oral minoxidil at much lower doses than those used to treat high blood pressure as this can still stimulate hair to grow but has a much lower risks of side effects
Benefits
Clinical studies show improved total hair density in frontal region after 24 weeks
Density of terminal hair in vertex region improved after 24 weeks
New terminal hair observed in both vertex & frontal region
Improvement in blood microcirculation
Side Effects
Fluid retention (causing weight gain and/or ankle swelling)
Low blood pressure (may cause dizziness / fainting)
