What
is Minoxidil?
Minoxidil was first used in tablet form
as a medicine to treat high blood pressure,
but it was noticed that some patients
being treated with Minoxidil experienced
excessive hair growth (hypertrichosis)
as a side-effect. Further research showed
that by applying Minoxidil in solution
form directly to the scalp, it could
prove to be beneficial to those experiencing
topical hair loss.
How Minoxidil Helps Reduce Hair
Loss and Increase Hair Growth
Whilst minoxidil encourages hair growth
and hair loss stabilisation, the exact
molecular mechanism operating in the
cells that result in hair growth from
Minoxidil is not known. Some experts
believe that minoxidil dilates the blood
vessels around hair follicles, increasing
the nutrient supply and encouraging increased
hair growth, however, this is still an
unproven theory, as vasodilator drugs
other than Minoxidil do not appear to
promote hair growth.
Another theory is that topical Minoxidil
induces a significant increase in DNA
synthesis in hair follicle cells. Minoxidil
is a stable and inactive drug. When applied
to the scalp and absorbed into the skin
Minoxidil is converted to an active,
unstable product called 'Minoxidil Sulphite'.
Our body produces a catalyst called sulfonyl
transferase that converts the inactive
Minoxidil into the unstable active Minoxidil
Sulphite. Minoxidil sulphite activates
potassium channels in cells and this
is thought to lead to hair growth.
Whilst there is no conclusive evidence
as to why Minoxidil encourages hair growth,
the fact is that it does, be it to varying
degrees.
What is Medroxyprogesterone?
Medroxyprogesterone (MPG) can be found in our Minoxidil 4 and 5% solutions depending on the recommendations of the trichologist for each individual. MPG helps to prevent the hormone derivative 'dihydrotestosterone' from interfering with the hair follicles function. This complements Minoxidil's reaction with the follicles, and adds to the response that is achieved. When MPG is added to Minoxidil it becomes a prescription-only treatment but in many cases Minoxidil will be provided without MPG contained.
What is Azelaic Acid?
Azelaic Acid (AA) is added to our 12.5%
Minoxidil cream. It works by inhibiting
the enzyme 5-alpha reductase from the
areas where the blood supply is being
increased because of the Minoxidil, thus
helping to prevent testosterone converting
to dihydrotestosterone, which is the
hormone that causes hair loss. 12.5%
minoxidil + Azelaic Acid is a prescription
drug due to the quantity of Minoxidil
that it contains and is exclusively available
from the Belgravia Pharmacy.
Getting the Best From Minoxidil
Belgravia trichologists have found that whilst Minoxidil can help reduce hair loss and boost hair growth, the degree of success will often depend on the Minoxidil’s strength. The Minoxidil formulations that we provide vary from a mild 4% lotion to a stronger 5% Regain lotion, or an extra-strength 12.5% cream, which is our form of Minoxidil used to treat very stubborn patches of thinning hair and baldness. Depending on what is recommended to the individual hair loss sufferer, we can also provide Minoxidil containing an extra booster – Medroxyprogesterone (MPG).
Medical experts have also found that
treatment for male pattern hair loss
can be further enhanced by combining
the use of Minoxidil with Propecia ,
which is the most recent clinically proven
and medically approved drug for hair
loss. Courses consisting primarily of
Minoxidil and Propecia are
the most popular and successful treatment
combinations prescribed at the Belgravia
Centre. Click on the link to find all
you need to know about Propecia .
A Belgravia hair
loss treatment course consists of
more than just Minoxidil or Propecia,
we find that ‘treatment courses
boosters’ are just as important.
Find out about treatment course boosters
and how a Belgravia hair
loss treatment course ensures the
highest likelihood of hair re-growth.
Side Effects
Like most other drugs there can be side
effects from the use of Minoxidil. During
the past ten years of treating tens of
thousands of men and women at the Belgravia
Centre we estimate less than one in one
hundred (1%) incidents of side effects
from the use of Minoxidil. Side
effects from Minoxidil ranged from mild
facial hair growth, headaches, rashes
and palpitations. All were mild and needed
no medical treatment. They either diminished
in a short time during use of Minoxidil,
or shortly after stopping use of Minoxidil. |
