Minoxidil or Rogain
Like many other discoveries, the discovery of Minoxidil was by chance. It was around the 1980s when scientists realized that this substance applied to the skin showed signs of hair growth. After verifying it, the finding became a benefit for millions of Americans and, later, for people around the world. Minoxidil foam, which we focus on in this article, is marketed as Regaine or Rogaine.
In short, like Pilexil, they are brands under which Minoxidil is marketed. Probably, if you have already done a quick search for this Minoxidil foam, you have found two names:
Regaine: is the name of the product in Spain.
Rogaine: It is for sale in the United States and is simply another brand name, which also belongs to the manufacturer Johnson & Johnson Limited.
How does Rogaine work?
The main objective of Rogaine foam is to stabilize hair loss and stimulate hair growth. This skin foam contains 5% Minoxidil, a clinically proven active ingredient. This medication is sold in pharmacies without a prescription, although it is convenient for a doctor to recommend it, once it has been determined that your type of alopecia is androgenetic.
This type of baldness causes the hair follicles to progressively lose and the hair growth cycle is reduced. And that’s what Minoxidil is trying to reverse the foam: it increases blood flow and stimulates the follicles to go from the resting phase to the growth phase, increasing the duration of this.
How is Regaine foam used?
The product is applied in three steps twice a day (usually in the morning and at bedtime):
Prepare the area where you are going to apply the foam and expose the scalp, which must be completely dry.
Turn the can upside down and press the nozzle. The manufacturer’s recommended dose is one gram, which can be measured with half a cap.
Spread the foam on the area of the scalp where you want your hair density to improve, such as the hairline or the crown. Gently massage and wash your hands.
Let the medication air dry completely.
If you use Minoxidil foam well and it works in your case due to your type of alopecia and your particular characteristics, you will begin to notice more visible results after approximately 4 months.
The manufacturer warns that after two weeks you may begin to notice more hair loss. This phase should not last more than 6 weeks and it is a necessary stage: the weakest hair falls out to make way for stronger hair.
Minoxidil foam: advantages and disadvantages
What are the advantages and disadvantages of using Rogaine? We recapitulate some of the most interesting points:
Advantage
Effects against hereditary baldness. Minoxidil is used particularly in cases of androgenetic alopecia, which is the most common. When this substance works, you begin to notice less hair loss and, in some cases, new hair growth that is softer and lighter at first and that can become thicker over time.
An alternative for initial stages. The use of Minoxidil can be an alternative for the initial stages of common baldness and is widely used by men who begin to lose hair at the entrance, one of the first signs. In fact, it is in men who are at an early stage or who have mild hair loss that the best results are obtained.
For men and women. This product is developed in two differentiated lines for both men and women.