Rogaine: Uses and Limitations

Your hair is falling out and you want to stop it. What should you do? Many men in this position turn to drugs like Rogaine for hair restoration. However, does Rogaine actually work? What is to be gained from Rogaine?

Rogaine is the trade name of the drug Minoxidil which was developed in 1963 by the Upjohn Company as a vasodilator. One of its side effects was discovered to be hair growth. Hair growth was a side effect of Minoxidil, but not in all cases.  A recent study in the ‘American Pharmacist’ has shown that Rogaine only works in about half of all cases. Moreover, any hair regrowth affected through the use of Rogaine is often swiftly lost again if the drug is discontinued.

 As nice as it would be to simply be able to rub some foam onto your scalp and then suddenly regrow a full and youthful head of hair – Rogaine has proved to be ineffective for treating hair loss in isolation, without supplementary restoration aids.

Technically speaking – Rogaine’s properties as an anagen agonist may increase the rate and thickness at which new hairs grow back, however increased DHT circulation to the scalp due to the drug’s vasodilation properties, quite often results in men losing more of their hair than the drug is capable of restoring.

The use of various inactive ingredients such as preservatives, binding agents, texturisers, colors and scents also lead to many of Rogaine’s unfortunate side effects such as itchy scalp, irritation, and aggravated hair loss to name some of the most common.

Rogaine and other Minoxidil derivatives can be more effective when taken alongside other vitamin rich and DHT blocking formulas. A premier hair growth shampoo like groMD regenerates hair growth with a special formula containing rich vitamins, oils, minerals and fats. The use of hair growth shampoo on hair helps to reduce protein loss in both damaged as well as undamaged hair. GroMD is rich in lauric acid and has a high affinity for hair protein and easily penetrates inside the hair shaft, which is due to its low molecular weight. 

Moreover, if true hair restoration is sought, Rogaine simply can not match the effectiveness, comprehensiveness and permanency of a hair transplant. A hair transplant may seem more intimidating than the ease of treatment offered by Rogaine, but, as the old adage goes – you get what you pay for. Investment in a quality hair transplant is never wasted and the results are yours for life.

If you want to explore a hair loss solution with a near 100% effectiveness rate or if you have any questions or concerns regarding the merits of different hair loss treatments, please contact us at Modena Hair Institute today for more information. At Modena Hair Institute we pride ourselves on consistently providing our patients with the highest standard of custom hair restoration treatment available, directly tailored to their individual needs. Dr. Yazdan is eagerly awaiting your visit or digital consultation. Contact us today!

Dr. Amir Yazdan, MD, is an internationally renowned hair transplant surgeon, expert guest on Dr. Phil and The Doctors, creator of the GroMD hair restoration product line, ISHRS member, accredited member of the IAHRS and a visceral advocate for patient care. Learn more about Dr. Yazdan or read rave reviews from his patients.

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