Every summer, we get a handful of new “it” men’s hairstyles. They range from more trendier styles, to more vintage-inspired throwbacks.
While most men typically stick to one general hairstyle for a long time, there can be benefits to switching it up.
A new hairstyle means a fresh and stylish look. And an added bonus: it makes you look more youthful too.
Take a look through this summer’s “it” styles and pick your summer ‘do.
Skin fade
This look is bold and playful, yet simple.
Hair designs
Trendy and young, these are the go to for the younger generation.
Undercuts
It looks like undercuts are here to stay. This vintage style is as fresh and relevant as ever.
Short slick-back
This style consists of shaved sides, a short back, and a slightly longer front to slick back.
High taper
Short is always in style. Visit your local barber to get a smooth-polished look.
Buzzed taper with a line up
This style looks best when done professionally. This look is clean and polished and never goes wrong.
Pomp
You’ll need lots of product to keep this pomp looking good in the summer heat.
Short cut
Too busy to style your hair? This style requires no work and always looks good.
Side part
This style is classic and slick. The part is highlighted with the longer hair on top so you have that fresh-cut look longer.
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Skin-care tips for the busy
Everyone wants beautiful, glowing, healthy skin. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to attain.
Luckily, thanks to these tips from top dermatologists, it doesn’t have to be.
Take care of your skin in your free time. It can be hard to find time to devote to your skin. Instead of trying to carve time out of your busy schedule, multitask. Skin-care products like masks and moisturizing hydration serums can be applied while you’re stuck in traffic or working on the computer.
Give yourself a facial massage. Not only are facial massages relaxing, they help fight wrinkles as well. Simply apply pressure to areas you tend to hold tension. These areas are prone to forming wrinkles. Common areas are the forehead, temples, inner eyebrows, and the outside of the nostrils.
Hydrate from the inside and outside. While its true that water will hydrate your skin from the inside out, you also need to moisturize from the outside in. creams, serums, and deep moisturizers will hydrate the superficial layers of the skin.
Shower in luke-warm water. Hot water can be too much for the face. Try luke-warm water instead.
Wear all the sunscreen. Sunscreen not only prevent from sunburns, it protects against sun damage like dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and even wrinkles. Don’t forget to apply to the neck, chest, and hands as well. They’re exposed to the sun just as often as your face.
Use hydrocortisone to counter-act swelling. If you’ve got a big event coming up and are plagued by swelling, you can use hydrocortisone cream to reduce the swelling. Just be sure not to make a habit out of it.
Utilize light acid peels at home. Acid peels are now available as wipes, moisturizers, and lip polishes. They’ll help you freshen up in a pinch.
Never rub your eyes. Treat your eyes with love and care. Be gentle with them!
Use your lips as a moisture guide for your face. If your lips are dry, chances are your face is too. As soon as you feel your lips getting chapped, apply a hydrating cream to your face.
Stock up on the fatty-acids. Starchy carbs like bread and rice can wreak havoc on your skin. Opt instead for foods like avocado and salmon which are rich in omega-3’s and fatty acids.
Does hair color determine density?
A question that comes up often is whether or not hair color plays a role in things like density, thickness, and eventually, hair loss.
While some people believe the lighter the hair color, the thinner the hair and less density coverage, this isn’t exactly the case.
Statistically, we see that those with a lighter hair color generally have thinner, finer hair. While those with darker hair typically have thicker hair strands. This has to do with the amount of melanin in the hair. The more melanin present in the hair strand the thicker it is.
One important thing to note regarding hair color and hair type, is that hair thickness or fineness and hair density or coverage is not the same thing. Hair thickness refers to the individual hair strands and how thick or thin they are. Hair density refers to the amount of hairs covering the scalp.
This is important because while we see those with lighter hair having finer hair strands, they tend to have a higher hair density.
Based on this information, there is no direct link between hair color and lack of density or eventual hair loss. While you can utilize trends regarding hair color and thickness and density to inform you about your possible hair type, there is no evidence suggesting that hair color is any indication of density or hair coverage.
More likely, your hair’s density is dependent upon your genetics. If your parents or grandparents have experienced progressive thinning, diffuse thinning, or have naturally low density, unfortunately, it’s likely you will as well, as hair traits are highly genetic.
While you can’t change your genetics, luckily, there are many options to help maintain your hair’s density and prevent it from thinning further. If you’d like to learn more about these options, give us a call for a consultation.
Herbs for hair growth
There’s a reason so many body-care products like shampoos, lotions, and soaps contain natural herbs. Herbs are enriched with natural nutrients that are beneficial to our bodies.
Best of all, using natural, organic ingredients in your body and hair-care product reduces the risks and side effects that come with using chemical-filled products.
Herbs can be used to benefit hair specifically by moisturizing, conditioning, restoring, soothing, cleansing, and even stimulating hair growth.
Below, is a list of the most beneficial herbs for your hair and how to implement them in your daily routine.
- Rosemary – rosemary promotes hair growth and keeps hair healthy. This herb is full of antioxidants which are free-radical fighters. This wards off grey and thinning hair. Rosemary revitalizes hair by increasing shininess, bounciness, and softness. Additional benefits of rosemary are soothing scalp irritation caused by itchiness or dandruff. You can utilize rosemary in your hair care routine by doing a rosemary rinse, making rosemary oil, or using store-bought rosemary serum.
- Nettle – while itchy when you run into them in the wild, this herb is rich in vitamins A, C, K, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids. All of these vitamins and nutrients are great for your hair. Nettle benefits your hair by stimulating the scalp via improved circulation. Additional benefits of nettle is reducing oil-production, adding volume, and increasing the strength of your hair. You can use nettle safely on your hair by making a DIY nettle tea and apple cider vinegar rinse or drinking nettle tea.
- Fenugreek seeds – fenugreek seeds are full of natural proteins as well as vitamin C. Protein and vitamin C are two nutrients essential to healthy hair and hair growth. The seeds work great as a conditioner due to their viscosity or ‘mucilage.’ Benefits of fenugreek seeds are softer, bouncier hair that is easier to manage. The seeds work great as a rinse, mask, or conditioner.
Stress and hair loss
Do you suffer from high stress levels?
If so, your stress could be causing your hair loss.
Stress has been linked to 3 main types of hair loss: telogen effluvium, trichotillomania, and alopecia areata.
In patients with telogen effluvium, hair follicles are converted back into the resting phase, which causes the follicles to stop producing and growing hair. Additionally, current hair growth can fall our during brushing and washing.
Trichotillomania is less common and has to do with a stress response wherein patients pull at their hair. Excessive pulling of hair shocks hair follicles and can cause them to stop producing new hair growth.
Alopecia areata is more common and can be caused by many things, not just stress. In a patient with this condition, the immune system identifies hair follicles as foreign bodies and attacks them. This of course, causes hair loss.
If you suffer from any of these 3 types of hair loss, your stress levels may be to blame. If you have just begun noticing hair loss, you may be able to reverse it with stress management and lifestyle changes.
Effective methods of stress management include talk or behavioral therapy, yoga, exercise, meditation, and dedicated relaxation time, just to name a few. Each method works differently for everyone, so don’t give up if one method doesn’t work for you. Keep trying until you find the best outlet for your stress.
Effective stress-minimizing lifestyle changes include a healthy work-life balance, setting boundaries with relatives, friends, and your employer, utilizing public transportation, and establishing a routine.
If you have been experiencing hair loss for some time, your hair follicles have likely died off. Once a hair follicle has died there is no way to bring it back to life. But, all hope isn’t lost. You may be a candidate for hair transplantation. Feel free to read up more on that here.
Botched hair transplant surgery – don’t let it happen to you
Botched hair transplant surgeries are on the rise. A botched hair transplant surgery refer to an unfavorable end result of a hair transplant surgery. It can mean a botched scar from an FUT/Strip procedure, a botched recipient zone with little to no graft survival rate, or extreme permanent shock loss due to a hair transplant mega-session.
According to Dr. Yazdan, patients that come in for a consultation to repair botched hair transplant surgeries done elsewhere has increased dramatically over the past 5 years. He states that when he first began transplanting hair about 10 years ago, fixing botched hair transplants made up an extremely small sample of his patients. Now, resolving botched cases accounts for almost half of his active surgery patients.
While there are methods to help repair botched hair transplant surgeries, such as scar revision/repair, scalp micropigmentation, and additional hair transplant procedures, it is much easier and more cost-effective to have the surgery done right the first time.
Botched hair transplants have damaging and lasting effects. Not only do they cause patients to spend double or triple what they would have if their first surgery was successful to fix their hair, but the valuable donor area of the scalp can be permanently damaged. This damage means that even a corrective surgery may not be possible.
In order to protect yourself from becoming a victim of a botched hair transplant surgery, make sure to thoroughly investigate your future hair restoration surgeon. Make sure to also educate yourself on standard hair transplant practices. Knowledge will be your best line of defense in preventing a botched surgery.
Here at Modena, we are experienced in correcting botched hair transplants. If you or someone you know has been a victim of a botched hair transplant surgery, give us a call for a consultation today.
Hair loss procedures to avoid
Many individuals who are experiencing hair loss may not yet be ready for a hair transplant surgery.
A large portion of balding individuals fit into this category. Many women, those with diffuse thinning hair loss, and young men who have just begun balding discover they are not candidates for hair transplantation at this time.
Thankfully, there are many other hair restoration options available to them. Prescription medication, over the counter topical medications, specialized shampoos, laser therapy, and PRP therapy, to name just a few.
Upon consultation with an experienced hair restoration surgeon, the best course of treatment can be determined for your specific type of hair loss.
But with all of the great, safe, and effective medical science advancements we’ve had in the field of hair restoration, there has also been some not so great, not so safe, and not so effective hair restoration techniques that have become available.
Below is a list of some hair restoration procedures you should avoid. These procedures have not been shown to be effective. Rather, they’ve been shown to cause more damage than good. Keep in mind that while minimally invasive, hair restoration is still a medical procedure. Safety and effectiveness should be held as top priorities.
Hair flap procedure. The hair flap procedure is a serious medical surgery done in a hospital setting. It involves partially cutting a portion of the scalp on each side of the head. The scalp is still attached to the head on one side. The unattached sides are twisted and rotated so that the hair-filled piece of scalp is now covering the area of baldness. The scalp is sewn done in this position. The problems with this procedure are many, but most importantly, an unsightly ‘knot’ or ‘bulb’ is left to scar over on each side of the head. This is not cosmetically appealing. The patient trades in severe and visible scar tissue for a few more strands of hair. Additionally, this procedure is dangerous and not recommended by experienced U.S. hair restoration surgeons.
Linear graft transplant. This procedure involves transplanting grafts in a trench technique. The doctor or technician extracts grafts through scalp incision and transplants them in trenches created across the hairline and scalp. While this method is easier on the surgeon or technician, it leaves behind long scars across the scalp. Additionally, the end result does not look natural or appealing because hair doesn’t naturally grow in straight trench-like lines.
Square/Round graft transplant or Hair plug transplant. Hair plugs or square/round graft transplants are an outdated way of transplanting hair. This method produces an unnatural plug-like grouping of hairs across the scalp.
Saw palmetto for hair loss
Saw palmetto is a plant with small berries found in nature across the U.S. For years, it was used by Native Americans as food and medicine. It is believed that saw palmetto treats hair loss, bladder infections, and enlarged prostates.
Evidence on the effectiveness of saw palmetto for hair loss is limited. But the initial research and reviews are promising.
So how does it work?
Saw palmetto may block the enzyme that converts testosterone to DHT. If you are unfamiliar with DHT, DHT is responsible for scalp hair loss in many individuals. You can read more about DHT here.
Saw palmetto works similarly to prescription medications that work to block DHT, such as finasteride.
If you are interested in trying saw palmetto, you can find it in four different forms: whole dried berries, tablets, liquid extract, and powdered capsules. The research studies that have been done used tablet and capsule forms of the natural medicine in their patients.
Due to the increased research on saw palmetto for treating hair loss, there are now some shampoos and conditioners that contain the plant extract.
Because of the side effects of saw palmetto, you should be cautious of drug interactions. Because the natural remedy acts similarly to finasteride, therefore the two should not be taken together. Additionally, saw palmetto may cause the blood to thin which causes increased bleeding. Make sure to inform your doctor before any procedures or new medications are prescribed.
Should you use it?
Saw palmetto may be a great natural remedy option to halt hair loss and promote hair growth. This plant extract works similarly to finasteride but is not as strong as the hair loss prescription drug.
Don’t expect a miracle. If you have just recently begun noticing hair loss or thinning, then saw palmetto may be a good option for you. But if you’ve been experiencing hair loss for some time, the plant extract is unlikely to be beneficial. Remember that once a hair follicle dies, there is no bringing it back to life.
For those with prolonged hair loss, you may need to take a more aggressive course of action. Read up on alternative methods of hair restoration here.
Caffeine for hair loss
New evidence suggests caffeine is a natural aid to reducing hair loss and stimulating hair growth. While more research needs to be done to confirm the effects, the testimonials and reviews looks promising.
Let’s explore how and why caffeine may help those experiencing hair loss.
Caffeine is a stimulant. Most commonly, its consumed as a drink, like through coffee or black tea. It can also be taken as a supplement.
When taken internally, caffeine boosts energy, halts hunger, improves mood, and keeps you awake. It does this by boosting your metabolism. Metabolism is a cellular process in which cells are excited and get to work. In laymen’s terms, caffeine stimulates your nervous system, promoting an active and engaged body and mind.
When applied externally, like to the skin or scalp, caffeine helps rejuvenate and liven skin cells. This rejuvenation of the skin cells comes from the ingredient’s natural stimulant properties. Many people report a fresh, tingly sensation after using skin or hair products with caffeine.
Caffeine to reduce hair loss and promote hair growth.
Early research shows that caffeine can help to extend the life cycle of your hair, which means more and longer hair growth. This is believed to be due to the metabolic effect caffeine has on our cells.
One theory is that cellular stimulation counteracts the miniaturization of the hair follicle. Another is that caffeine counteracts the negative effects of testosterone on the hair follicle which causes hair loss.
Many individuals state that short-term, their hair feels stronger, healthier, and shinier after applying the caffeine stimulant. Long-term benefits include increased hair length and increased hair growth density across the scalp.
While caffeine is sounding to be like a great natural method to promote hair growth and halt hair loss, you shouldn’t expect a miracle. If you’ve been experiencing hair loss for some time, introducing a caffeine-boosted shampoo isn’t going to reverse your past years of hair loss. Remember that once a hair follicle has died, there is no bringing it back to life.
The dangers of getting surgery abroad
Some individuals who are desperate to get a surgery or procedure done, but find themselves with a lack of funds, seek treatment abroad.
In developing countries, procedures and surgeries can be done for a fraction of the cost compared to here in the U.S. For some, the cheaper price tag outweighs their concerns about the risks of cutting corners.
Whether you’re in the U.S. or abroad, all medical surgeries carry risks. While the risks are usually relatively low, with the benefits far outweighing the risks, in the U.S. the patient is made aware of all potential outcomes prior to partaking in the procedure.
In other countries, things like lack of regulation, lack of sanitary quarters, lack of education and lack of expertise increase the risks of surgery dramatically.
Regulation. In the U.S., we have strict regulations on doctors via the medical board of doctors. There are associations and government run organizations that outline and regulate strict guidelines for how medicine should be practiced. They also outline and regulate the areas in which medical surgeries and procedures can be done, maintaining sanitation. All of these regulations reduce risks of danger to the patient, such as infection and death. These regulations keep the patient safe and help secure the positive outcome of the procedure. In developing countries, they don’t have these same organizations that keep strict guidelines for medical practice. This lack of regulation means increased danger for the patient. Your risk of infection and having a botched surgery increases dramatically.
Education. In the U.S., doctors go through intense training and schooling before being allowed to practice. Additionally, they have to get specific training and maintain current yearly training hours to keep up their knowledge and skills. In other countries, doctors are not held to this same high standard of continuing education. Because they may not be as skilled, they may not know the correct techniques for surgical procedures.
If you find yourself contemplating getting a procedure done abroad, stop and think about the risks that are increasing. While you may save money short-term, you’ll end up spending more long-term to correct a botched surgery. And most importantly, risking your health is not worth any dollar amount.
Is salt water good for your hair and skin?
With summer in full swing, we find ourselves spending more time at the pool and beach. With salt-water pools and naturally salty ocean water, you may be wondering if salt water is good for your hair and skin.
Skin
Salt water is full of vitamins and minerals. These nutrients are especially beneficial to those with skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.
Salt water has healing properties. Ever heard of taking a salt water bath? Or doing a soak in Epsom salt? Salt water helps to detoxify the skin, treat injuries, and reduce swelling.
Hair
The nutrients present in salt water work well at breaking down your hair’s natural oils. So if you’ve got overly oily hair, salt water can help keep your hair’s oil levels balanced.
Salt water opens up your hair’s cuticle which means damage for colored hair. Salt will cause your color to fade and look dull.
Salt water is dehydrating. Because of osmosis, salt water actually pulls water out of your hair’s strands. This will leave hair feeling dry and dehydrated.
In summary:
Pros – salt water is full of vitamins and minerals, has natural healing properties, helps balance out oily hair
Cons – its dehydrating and damages colored hair
What can you do?
Rinse hair with plain water before taking a dip in the ocean
Use a leave in conditioner before and after spending the day at the beach
Use hair products with SPF to protect your strands from harmful sun rays
How to determine how many grafts you need for hair transplant surgery
The most common questions regarding hair transplants are how many grafts are needed and how much the procedure will cost.
To get an idea of the cost of your surgery, you’ll first need to get an idea of how many grafts you’ll need. While the cost is not always directly correlated to the graft count, the two numbers are often correlated.
To best answer these questions, you should meet with an experienced and qualified hair transplant surgeon. During a consultation, the stage of hair loss, scalp and follicle health, density of hair coverage, quality of donor area, medical history, and many other factors can be evaluated to give you an accurate idea of the amount of grafts you’ll need.
An additional factor to keep in mind is that hair goals differ from patient to patient. What makes one patient happy may not make another patient happy. These goals definitely play a role in the amount of grafts needed.
For first time patients, scalp hair transplant surgeries typically range between 1,000-3,500 grafts needed. All of the factors above will determine your exact graft count needed.
If you’d like to get a surgical quote to determine how many grafts you’ll need and how much the cost of the procedure will be, give us a call for a free consultation today.
If you’d like to learn more about what factors go into graft count quotes, read here.
Is a hair transplant surgery the right choice for you?
Hair loss effects over 80% of men and 50% of women over the course of their lifetime. This extremely common condition leaves many searching for a solution.
While medical management offers great methods to restore hair, such as PRP therapy, laser therapy, prescription medication, specialized shampoos, and even over the counter medications, these recourses are only effective for the right candidates.
If you’ve been experiencing hair loss for some time, have progressed hair loss, or didn’t have any luck with medical management, you may be wondering what your next option is.
Hair transplant surgery is an ideal option for those with progressed hair loss. This medical procedure involves taking hair follicles from other areas of your scalp or body and transplanting them into the areas of hair loss.
Modern hair transplant surgery is much different than plugs, wigs, or hair pieces that have been methods used by balding people in the past. Hair transplant surgery is your own natural hair that grows in on its own where it’s needed.
Due to the natural, organic nature of hair transplant surgery, patients are able to regain their youth and hair without it ever looking like they were bald or sought a medical recourse.
In order to determine if you are an ideal candidate for hair transplant surgery, you should meet with a qualified and experienced hair transplant surgeon. After a scalp and hair loss evaluation, you and your doctor can determine the right amount of grafts needed to meet your hair goals.
If you’d like to learn more about hair transplant surgery, and figure out if it’s the right option for you, give us a call today.
Scalp massage for hair growth
Is your hair feeling unhealthy or not growing as much as it used to?
Try scalp massages to bring health and growth back to your hair.
Scalp massages are easy, take minimal time, and can be done by you every day!
This little act has a great impact.
When the scalp is massaged, the skin and hair follicles underneath are stimulated. Stimulation in the scalp means improved blood flow and circulation. Improved blood flow and circulation means more nutrients being fed to your scalp and follicles.
Scalp massages can be done while shampooing and conditioning in the shower, utilizing hot oils, or when relaxing after a long day.
Benefits of scalp massages include more nourished hair and even hair growth. If you’ve been experiencing lack of hair growth and unhealthy-feeling hair, scalp massages could be just the thing you need to get your hair back to health and growth. Consider adding warm oils which increase the benefits.
If you’ve been experiencing hair loss, it is unlikely scalp massages will help. When we begin experiencing hair loss, we need to take more aggressive approaches to stop the hair loss and possibly reverse it.
If you’d like to learn more about your options for stopping and reversing hair loss, give us a call for a consultation.
How safe is hair transplant surgery?
With any medical procedure, there is some degree of risk and safety concern involved.
In general, when done in the U.S. by experienced and qualified hair restoration surgeons, hair transplants are safe and effective.
The danger and risk comes into play when regulation, skill, technique, certification, and cleanliness are lacking. While these risks are more common abroad, it’s possible to run into these issues in the U.S. as well.
Some potential issues that could jeopardize the safety and effectiveness of your hair transplant are a botched surgery due to lack of experience and skill, excessive scarring due to punch technique, infection due to unsanitary conditions, and further hair loss due to trauma.
To ensure you have a safe and effective hair transplant surgery, research thoroughly. Below is a list of some things to keep in mind as you’re meeting with hair restoration surgeons and deciding on which facility you’ll go with.
Before and after pictures. Peruse your potential surgeons before and after pictures of other patients. This will be your best indication of their skill and ability level.
Certified by the ISHRS. Make sure your hair restoration surgeon is certified by the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgeons. This is one way you’ll know your surgeon is knowledgeable in the field of hair transplants.
U.S. medical doctor in a U.S. facility. Make sure your surgery will be conducted in a clean and sanitary environment. Don’t risk getting your surgery done abroad. Other country’s doctors and facilities are not held to the same high standards as here in the U.S.
Follow all instructions. Heed all after-care instructions carefully. Keeping the area clean will reduce your risk of infections and complications.
Hair transplants for hair line lowering
Many men who experience hair loss experience it in the form of a receding hair line. A receding hair line is when the front hair line loses hair over time causing the hair line to appear as if it’s being pushed back. This also gives the appearance of a larger forehead.
While other types of hair loss such as diffuse thinning or crown balding can be concealed relatively easy, a receding hair line is harder to disguise. Luckily, there’s an option for those wishing to have a more youthful hair line.
Hair transplants.
Hair transplants are a great option for those suffering from hair loss, thinning, or a receding hair line. Transplanted grafts can be placed in any area of baldness or thinning, creating natural density and coverage across the scalp.
When transplanted grafts are placed in or around the hairline, they restore the hair line to a more natural, youthful level. Bringing the hair line forward also reduces the amount of exposed forehead.
For some with naturally large foreheads, hair line lowering helps them achieve the smaller forehead they always wanted.
If you’d like to learn more about hair transplants for hair line lowering, give us a call for a free consultation today.
Does laser therapy for hair loss actually work?
Laser therapy for hair loss involves using red light to promote hair growth, prevent future hair loss, and reverse recent hair loss. Laser therapy can be done in your doctor’s office or at home via special hats, brushes, and combs.
While laser therapy sounds like a great, convenient way to prevent and reverse hair loss, does it actually work?
Because there are so many brands and versions of laser therapy for hair loss and so little market regulation, there are many laser therapy tools that are just plain ineffective.
For example, in order for the red laser light to be effective at promoting hair growth, it needs to be on the scalp for approximately 20-30 minutes at a time. Tools like brushes and combs are not held on the scalp, rather moved and swept throughout the hair. In addition, most people spend less than 5 minutes brushing their hair per day. This is not enough time nor direct scalp contact to be effective.
Because there are so many options and brands available and so little market regulation, it’s difficult to know if the tool you’re buying is even made to work. Just any ol’ red laser light isn’t going to be effective at promoting hair growth. It needs to be the right laser light levels in the right places. A simple google search will pull up over 20 “top” brands for laser therapy on the market today. What’s important to keep an eye out for is FDA approval. Most of the “top” brands are not FDA approved. This means their safety and effectiveness is not researched, proven, or corroborated. Make sure the brand you choose is FDA approved, thoroughly researched, and recommended by hair restoration surgeons.
Here at Modena, our favorite laser therapy method for hair loss is Capillus laser caps. Capillus is the only FDA approved laser hair cap on the market. It’s easy to use and effective when used consistently. Capillus has no known side effects and has a high success rate. Best of all, its 100% portable.
If you’d like to learn more about Capillus and laser therapy for hair loss, and see if you’re a candidate for this hair loss treatment, give us a call today for a free consultation.
What you need to know about Rogaine
What is Rogaine?
Rogaine or Minoxidil as it’s known generically, is a topical medication used to treat hair loss caused by androgen alopecia. Androgen alopecia is also known as male or female pattern baldness. It occurs due to many factors such as age and genetics.
Minoxidil works by widening hair follicles. This creates a thicker hair strand which gives a fuller, denser look to your hair. It also lengthens the time your hair is in the anagen phase of the hair growth cycle. During the anagen phase, your hair develops in the follicle and grows longer. A prolonged anagen phase means more and longer hair growth.
What you need to know about Rogaine:
Rogaine is effective in approximately 40%-60% of individuals who use it. In order to see these results you must use the medication as instructed, daily and consistently.
Rogaine must be used indefinitely to keep up results. It is not a cure to hair loss, rather a treatment method. This means that you must continue using it, even after seeing your desired results, in order to keep your hair from reverting back to previous or worsened hair loss.
While adverse or allergic reactions are rare, they are a potential risk factor. Side effects include itching, burning, redness, and irritation. Some individuals have reported an increase in hair loss symptoms. If you have any of these symptoms after using Rogaine, discontinue use immediately. But in general, minoxidil is safe and effective when used properly.
Minoxidil is a great tool, but don’t expect a miracle. Rogaine is a great tool when it comes to maintaining hair, preventing future hair loss, promoting hair growth, as part of a medical management of hair loss plan, recovering from hair transplant surgery, or reversing recent hair loss. But, it is not going to regrow or reverse years of hair loss. Once a hair follicle has died, there is no bringing it back to life. If you have been experiencing hair loss for some time, Rogaine on its own is not going to treat your hair loss. You most likely will need a more aggressive approach to restoring your hair. It is often beneficial when coupled with hair loss medications, hair transplant surgery, and alternative methods of hair restoration such as PRP and laser therapy.
