We hope you'll find this site informative, educational and encouraging. Learn how hair grows, why you lose hair, and what you can do about it. Plus, you'll have the opportunity to exchange ideas and feelings with others experiencing hair loss. Are you losing hair? Or, just worried that you might start looking like your father someday? Either way, it is important to understand how your hair grows, why you lose hair and how it happens. There are various reasons, but most men's hair loss is hereditary. Hair loss affects other men like you - both physically and psychologically. Ask yourself whether you need to take any action. As with any other medical condition, early detection is critical in taking control of your hair loss problem. Then examine various treatment options, and you'll understand why Minoxidil is the answer. Use only as directed.
In 1988, Pharmacia Corp. (then Pharmacia & Upjohn) introduced the first FDA approved product proven to stop hair loss and to regrow hair. Since then Minoxidil (Generic Rogaine) for Men and Minoxidil for Women have safely been sold to millions of people around the world (known as regaine in some parts of the world) as an over the counter product (in the US).
Minoxidil is a topical solution applied directly to the scalp and is not taken internally (as with Propecia). The only other product to gain FDA approval to help men regrow their hair is Propecia (cannot be used by women). Scientists have uncovered the fact that men who suffer from Male Pattern Baldness have a higher level of Dihydrotestosterone or DHT in their scalps. Propecia helps to block the formation of DHT which helps to lower the levels of DHT in the male scalp. There are key differences between Minoxidil and Propecia, here is a quick look:
> Minoxidil is available without prescription unlike Propecia which requires one.
> Propecia is ingested and is distributed throughout the body unlike Minoxidil which only affects the scalp.
> Minoxidil works by reactivating hair follicles where Propecia stimulates growth by altering male hormones inside the body.
What are the first signs of hair loss?
Signs include receding hair line, thinning hair on the top of the scalp, and a finer, thinner hair texture.
How does Minoxidil work?
Minoxidil reactivates or revitalizes shrunken hair follicles, increasing their size. While you continue to use Minoxidil, follicles gain greater volume, their growing phases become longer, and they produce longer, thicker hairs. This is counter to what people who suffer with male pattern baldness experience. Usually, as males with MPB get older their hairs slowly become thinner as their follicles shrink. Minoxidil works to counteract this.
Should I use Minoxidil even though I am not experiencing hereditary hair loss?
Minoxidil should only be used if you are experiencing hereditary hair loss. In other words, if there is a history of hair loss in your family (on your mother's or father's side) then there is hereditary hair loss in your family. If you are losing your hair for any other reason (medication, stress, illness, etc.), we recommend that you consult your physician.
What kind of results can you expect?
Minoxidil has to do a lot of work on and in your scalp before you will begin to see anything different on top (ie: hair). In the beginning, you will need to realize that your follicles are "seeing" results, even if you are not. While Minoxidil works hard on your scalp to regrow hair it is important to realize that Minoxidil can help stop further hair loss by revitalizing and stimulating hair follicles.
During the first two months you may lose or shed more hair than usual. This will be especially true in the first 2-4 weeks as the follicles make way for new growth. You will also be establishing your twice-a-day application regimen. Don't worry if you see an increase in the number of hairs falling out into the sink every day. This is actually a sign that Minoxidil is working and your follicles are coming back to life.
After the first couple of months, you may start to see results. Minoxidil makes miniaturized follicles larger and prolongs the growth phase of your hairs' natural growing process and increasing the number of active follicles in this phase. Eventually, new growth may appear as soft, almost clear hair, which is another sign that Minoxidil is actually working by stimulating growth. Eventually, those clear hairs may grow to normal size, length and color that you are accustomed to. Remember this, everyone is different. Some people notice results in 2 to 4 months, but to see your best results, it can take up to a year.
While hair loss is often accepted as a natural part of aging, today's advanced options in hair grooming and treatment allow us to take control of our appearance. More options are available than ever before, from treating your hair loss to just helping you look your best. Research shows that it is common for men who experience thinning hair to feel less attractive, insecure or past their prime - and all of this can lead to feelings of stress and anxiety. However, the latest news is encouraging: With the right grooming and treatment regimen, you can stop your hair from thinning, and ultimately feel better about your looks.
Why are you losing hair?
Some 95 percent of men's hair loss is caused by a hereditary condition called androgenetic alopecia. This condition sets off a process known as miniaturization, causing hair follicles to become smaller and reducing the period of time hair has to grow. This miniaturized hair follicle has a shorter growth cycle and is structurally smaller. It produces a thinner, shorter and more brittle hair, which results in less scalp coverage. The process of hair loss can begin, for some individuals, as soon as in their teens, while others begin to notice thinning hair in their 20s or 30s, or even later in life. Scientific research has proven that the gene for hair loss comes from either or both sides of the family, and contrary to popular belief, is not traced only to the mother's side. The best indicator you have is your immediate family - if your family members are experiencing hair loss, you may also be at risk.
More than 45 million men experience thinning hair in the United States, so if you are seeing signs of hair loss, you are not alone.
Androgenetic alopecia is caused by heredity, hormones, and age. It leads to progressive miniaturization of hair follicles and shortening of the hair's growing cycle. The active growth phase becomes shorter and the hair follicles smaller, and thus the hair follicles gradually produce finer and thinner hairs. Eventually, there is no growth at all. It is important to understand that some hair loss is normal and should be expected by men of all ages. A full scalp has an average of about 100,000 hair follicles, and this number normally decreases with age. It is normal to shed between 50 to 100 hairs each day.
Other hair loss disorders:
In addition to androgenetic alopecia, other hair loss disorders include:
Alopecia Areata
Unlike androgenetic alopecia, alopecia areata often generates an abrupt hair loss. It is an auto-immune disorder, which causes hair follicles to stop producing hair. Typically, it can be recognized by patchy hair loss with often total loss of hair. The National Alopecia Areata Foundation estimates that 4 million men, women, and children suffer from this type of hair loss.
Telogen Effluvium
A temporary condition, telogen effluvium looks more like androgenetic alopecia, with generalized thinning that begins abruptly. It is normally brought on by a shock to the system, such as stress; surgery or illness. Understanding your hair - The hair follicle Everyone is born with about 100,000 active hair follicles. The number of follicles you have will never increase. In fact, the number normally decreases to about one half that number by the age of 60.
> A hair follicle is a cavity of cells that forms a "bulb" around the base of the hair in the scalp.
> A healthy follicle produces a strong, thick, colored hair.
> A hair grows at the rate of about 1/2" per month (hair growth rates are different for everyone).
The hair growth cycle
The healthy follicle repeatedly goes through two significant phases throughout its life: Growing and Resting. At any given time, 10-15% of your follicles are in a resting phase. After resting for 2-6 months, the follicle then sheds its hair and produces a new hair, repeating the normal growth cycle.
> Growing Phase - the follicle grows a hair for 2-6 years.
> Resting Phase - from 10-15% of follicles rest for 2-6 months. At the end of the resting phase, the follicle "sheds" its hair. Then the growing phase begins again.
Hereditary hair loss
Men who experience hereditary hair loss have an increasing number of follicles that shrink and become miniaturized. A miniaturized follicle:
> Has a progressively shorter growing phase, resulting in shorter hair, and more frequent shedding.
> Produces thinner, smaller hair.
> Eventually dies, producing no hair at all. Once hair loss begins, it continues in a natural progression. Men and Their Hair Men's hair has long been viewed as a sign of success, vitality, sex appeal and even youth. In fact, leading psychologists agree that today's male body image remains closely linked to the appearance of the hair.
