The world of hair loss is a tricky one. There are so many options out there to choose from, and it can be difficult to weed through the claims and find what really works. Rogaine has been around for years in an effort to help men look their best with less worry about receding hairlines or thinning locks.
But does Rogaine permanently solve hair loss issues in men? Read on to find out!
In this blog post, we’ll go over what rogaine is, who created it, how it’s used, some complications people have come across when using Rogaine, and whether or not it will work for you.
What Is Rogaine?
Rogaine is a medical term used for the same hair loss tablets commonly known as minoxidil. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of minoxidil for both men and women suffering from hair loss.
It is made up of a 5 percent strength (for men) or 2 percent strength (for women), which can be purchased over-the-counter at pharmacies. Rogaine slows the rate of hair loss and may help you grow new hair. However, if you stop using Rogaine, it can take up to half a year for your hair to return.
Who Created Rogaine?
Minoxidil originally began research in oral form by UpJohn Company way back in the late 1960s. After many years of testing with no results, it seemed to have hit a dead end until UpJohn met with Dr. Charles Auerbach, who then suggested that they apply minoxidil directly to the scalp to stimulate growth.
It was during this stage that minoxidil gained FDA approval for its use as a treatment for hypertension, yet the UpJohn Company knew it had the potential to be used as an effective hair loss medication.
Once this discovery went public, UpJohn’s patent rights were sold to another company by the name of Johnson & Johnson who then re-branded Minoxidil into what we now know today as Rogaine.
Rogaine was released in 1988. It’s been approved for sale in various countries since then and is an accepted treatment option for hair loss all over the world.
How Is Rogaine Used For Hair Loss?
Rogaine comes in two forms, tablets and topicals like the hair growth shampoo from Nisim. As with any medication, you should follow the instructions for usage provided by your doctor.
Tablets: Rogaine tablets are typically used twice per day and come in a 2 or 5 percent strength tablet. You will need to use them consistently every day without fail until your hair loss issues have been resolved before ceasing their use.
If you stop using Rogaine after continuous use over a period of four months but your hair hasn’t stopped falling out, you can expect to see it return within six months of stopping treatment with these tablets.
Topicals: There are two types of topical solutions that can be purchased either as a generic brand or as a name-brand product from the company itself (Rogaine). The first type is known as Rogaine Extra Strength for Men and Rogaine for women, which comes in a 2 percent strength.
The second type is known as Rogaine Men’s Foam, which comes in 5 percent strength. You will need to apply this product twice per day over the course of four months to hopefully see the positive effects it has on your hair loss issues.
If you stop using Rogaine after continuous use over a period of seven months but your hair hasn’t stopped falling out, you can expect to see it return within nine months of stopping treatment with these topicals.
You should massage it into your scalp gently after applying and let it sit for a while, and then wash out any excess with water before going to bed at night.
How Long Does It Take To Work?
Rogaine isn’t an immediate fix. Men who begin using Rogaine will need to apply it for at least 4 months before they see any results, and some even reported seeing significant results after 6 or more months.
Do I Have To Use It Indefinitely?
Yes. Several studies have shown that Rogaine (minoxidil) is effective in slowing male-pattern balding – although it must be used indefinitely to maintain the benefits. Another study on minoxidil showed that men ages 18-41 were likely to experience improvement within 3-6 months of use; however, the study was only conducted on males with mild hair loss.
While Rogaine can certainly help people with MPBs in the short term, it is not a permanent solution. After stopping treatment, hair loss will begin again and any new growth that occurred with minoxidil use will be lost
Does Rogaine Work As A Permanent Hair Loss Solution For Men?
We all lose hair every day, but with male-pattern balding (MPB), hair loss is caused by androgens – hormones that exist specifically in men. This means that MPB can be treated via hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which would reduce those levels of androgens to normal amounts; however, those treatments are not without their own side effects.
While HRT is an option for treating MPBs, there doesn’t seem to be a way to stop them permanently. Rogaine was hailed as a permanent solution for MPBs when it first came out; however, we now know this isn’t quite true.
Rogaine can certainly help bar certain negative side effects from coming to fruition, but it can’t stop MPBs from happening entirely. If you stop using Rogaine, your hair loss will return even if the medication helped grow new hair.
What Are The Side Effects Of Rogaine?
People have reported a number of side effects while taking Rogaine, including:
- Excess growth on facial hair
- Muscle aches/stiffness (more frequent with larger doses)
- Flushing, Drowsiness, Headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Chest pain, irregular heartbeat
- Blood pressure changes
- Back pain, and Heartburn
It’s also worth noting that some people have developed a minor case of contact dermatitis after using Rogaine. While this is typically more commonly seen with minoxidil (the ingredient found in Rogaine), there have been some cases where it has occurred with the rogaine topical foam as well. This can be avoided by making sure to let your scalp air dry before applying and wearing sunscreen if you’re outside for an extended period of time.
Since many men usually start using Rogaine to regrow hair on their head, they can sometimes become self-conscious about other parts of their body that might be affected by rogaine (minoxidil) usage such as an increase in sweat production around the chest and back areas (hyperhidrosis). If this starts happening to you after continuous use over a period of four months, stop using minoxidil and seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Are There Any Precautions I Should Know About?
Rogaine should not be used if you have certain allergies to any ingredients present in the medication. In addition, you shouldn’t use Rogaine if you are a female (unless recommended by your doctor), or less than 18 years old (unless recommended by your doctor).
Rogaine is FDA-approved only for adults between the ages of 18-41 who suffer hair loss issues caused by genetic predisposition. If you’re not in this age bracket, ask your doctor for further guidance.
Rogaine will only have a positive effect on patches of hair loss, so if you have receding temples or a bald patch that extends from the back of your head and around to the top of your forehead (known as “an all-over horseshoe pattern”), don’t expect Rogaine to regrow new hair in that balding area.
