How does minoxidil help with hair growth?

Minoxidil is a medication that has been widely used for hair growth since the 1980s. It was initially used as an oral medication to treat hypertension, but it was discovered that one of its side effects was hair growth. This led to the development of a topical formulation of minoxidil for hair loss.

Minoxidil works by dilating the blood vessels in the scalp, which increases blood flow to the hair follicles. This increased blood flow delivers more oxygen and nutrients to the hair follicles, which can help stimulate hair growth. Additionally, minoxidil is thought to stimulate the production of growth factors and enzymes that promote hair growth.

Minoxidil is most effective for people with androgenetic alopecia, which is the most common type of hair loss in both men and women. It is not as effective for other types of hair loss, such as alopecia areata.

Minoxidil is available over-the-counter as a 2% or 5% solution or foam. It is generally well-tolerated, but some people may experience side effects such as scalp irritation, itching, or dryness.

In summary, minoxidil is a medication that can help promote hair growth by increasing blood flow to the hair follicles and stimulating the production of growth factors and enzymes. It is most effective for people with androgenetic alopecia and is available over-the-counter in 2% or 5% solutions or foams.