Are you losing your hair? Hair loss is a common issue for men and women as they enter their later twenties and thirties. Some individuals even start losing their hair in their late teens – how is it possible? If you have thinning hair, you have a window to slow the process and possibly reverse the situation.
Fortunately, science made some interesting discoveries in the last 20-years that revolutionized the issue of hair loss in men and women. Minoxidil is a potent hair loss preventative that’s a popular ingredient in hair loss formulas like Rogaine.
Are there any alternatives to Minoxidil? This post looks at other compounds that could help slow and prevent hair loss in men and women.
What Is Minoxidil?
Minoxidil is a common ingredient in many hair loss formulations. Originally invented by the Upjohn company in the 1950s, Minoxidil showed promise at treating stomach ulcers and high blood pressure.
However, scientists studying the compound noticed Minoxidil had a surprising side benefit of increasing follicle stimulation and hair growth in the scalp’s vertex and crown areas. The FDA approved Minoxidil for use in blood pressure treatments in 1979, but it wasn’t until the 90s and early 2000s where Minoxidil entered the formulations of hair loss treatments.
Today, Minoxidil is a foundational ingredient in many topical hair loss products from dozens of brands. It’s available most commonly as a solution, but there are also foam products available. Most hair loss treatments contain a 5% concentration of Minoxidil.
Where Can I Buy Minoxidil?
Minoxidil is available in many over-the-counter hair loss products. Rogaine, Keeps, and many more use it as a foundational ingredient in their treatments. You don’t need a doctor’s prescription to purchase Minoxidil products, with many companies selling them over the internet.
What are the Pros and Cons of Minoxidil?
Pros
- Available over-the-counter without a prescription.
- Effective at strengthening hair follicles and producing new growth.
- Approved as safe for use by the FDA.
- Minimal side effects
Cons
- More effective in younger patients under the age of 30-years.
- It requires a daily application for efficacy.
- It might not restore hair growth in bald spots.
- Results differ from person-to-person.
- It may cause scalp irritation in some users.
What Companies Offer Minoxidil Treatments?
There are dozens of companies offering Minoxidil treatments to reduce hair loss. Here are two of the most popular options.
Rogaine
This hair loss treatment is available online through leading retailers like Amazon. You don’t need a doctor’s script, and you can order it over-the-counter. Rogaine contains a 5% Minoxidil solution, and it has hundreds of positive user reviews. The product comes with a three-month supply, retailing for around $45.
Keeps
Keeps is an online subscription service for preventing hair loss. The company offers you a three-step approach to preventing hair loss. Keeps provide you with Finasteride treatment (more on that in a moment). It also provides Minoxidil in a foam or solution, with a 5% concentration. Keeps also offer online consultations with doctors for Finasteride prescriptions.
What are the Alternatives to Minoxidil?
Minoxidil is an effective hair loss treatment if you use it every day. However, some people might find it causes scalp irritation. If that’s the case, you’ll have to use an alternative product to slow and prevent hair loss.
Here are a few alternatives to using Minoxidil.
Finasteride
Finasteride is an FDA-approved drug available through prescription. The drug also sells under its brand names, Proscar and Propecia. There are also generics available for a third of the price of brand-name drugs.
Finasteride is a hormonal drug, blocking the conversion of Dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is the androgenic hormone commonly associated with the onset of male pattern baldness and increased hair loss in the affected individual.
Finasteride, when taken orally, can help with restoring hair growth on the hairline, crown, and vertex of the scalp. In most cases, Finasteride is reasonably well-tolerated by users, without any adverse side effects. However, it’s not a good choice for women, as it may cause an increase in the growth of facial hair in some users.
Some male users (around 3.8%) may experience a decline in libido and sexual function when administering finasteride medications.
If you want to try Finasteride to control or reverse your hair loss, you’ll need a doctor’s script. However, many online platforms, like Keeps, let you consult with a doctor remotely through an app. You’ll answer a few easy questions, and you get access to all the Finasteride you need.
Revita Shampoo
Revita shampoo contains a potent blend of ingredients designed to block the conversion of DHT. The combination of hair-stimulating compounds contains amino-acids, hydrating molecules, and anti-oxidants that rejuvenate your scalp’s health, helping you grow back your hair.
The revolutionary B-2 compound effectively restores hair growth in the vertex, hairline, and crown.
Keeps Ketoconazole Shampoo
Keeps add ketoconazole shampoo to its three-step treatment, including Finasteride and Minoxidil. The ingredients in the shampoo help to condition the scalp back to health, eliminating dryness and dandruff. Users typically see results in three to four weeks.
Ketoconazole is a generic of the Nizoral® compound, and there is some evidence that suggests it is effective at preventing hair loss. However, used alone without any supporting compounds, Ketoconazole shampoo won’t provide the same results as Minoxidil.
Are Minoxidil Alternatives Worth It?
When you look down at the drain in the shower and find it clogged with your hair, it’s a harrowing experience. Losing your hair has a psychological effect on your self-confidence and self-image. Many men decide to go for hair transplants or pigment injections to stop their hair from falling out or make it less noticeable.
When you start losing your hair, you’re willing to try anything to slow or stop the condition. However, there are few treatments proven to provide results. Minoxidil is one of the few compounds available that shows efficacy in slowing or stopping hair loss in men and women.
Its non-hormonal ingredients mean that it’s safe for use in men and women without any side effects. Applying Minoxidil to your scalp twice a day gives you the best chances of preventing, slowing, or reversing hair loss caused by aging or genetic predisposition.
Frequently Asked Questions
What companies provide Minoxidil treatments?
There are dozens of hair loss products that include Minoxidil. Two of the most popular options are Rogaine and Keeps. Rogaine is available through online retailers like Amazon, and you can pick up a month’s supply for around $15. Keeps is an online hair restoration brand offering Minoxidil as part of its three-step hair restoration treatment. The foam product is $20 for a month’s supply, while the solution is $15 (the same price as Rogaine).
Is Minoxidil legal? Do I need a prescription to buy it?
Minoxidil was originally a treatment for ulcers high blood pressure problems. However, researchers noticed the compound had off-label use as a hair restoration product. Minoxidil helps to stimulate hair follicles and strengthen your hair. If you want to try Minoxidil to slow or prevent hair loss, it’s available without a prescription. Most hair products come with a 5% Minoxidil solution, effective at rejuvenating new hair growth in the scalp’s vertex and crown.
Is Minoxidil foam or solution the better choice for hair restoration?
Both Minoxidil solution and foam effectively slow and prevent hair loss in men and women. There is no evidence to suggest that the foam or solution is more effective. Choosing between foam or solution is a personal preference. The foam is for fast applications in any situation. The foam lets you treat your hair in seconds without the solution spilling everywhere. However, foam Minoxidil products are more expensive than solution-based products.