Why is minoxidil not recommended for women

During this procedure, surgeons remove a narrow strip of scalp and divide it into hundreds of tiny grafts, each containing just a few hairs. Each graft is planted in a slit in the scalp created by a blade or needle in the area of missing hair.

Hair grows naturally this way, in small clusters of one to four follicles, called follicular units. As a result, the graft looks better than the larger "plugs" associated with hair transplants of yesteryear. As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content.

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For many women, hair loss happens on the top or the front of the head. Fortunately, minoxidil Rogaine can help stop the hair loss in its tracks. In some cases, it can even help regrow new hair. But there are disadvantages to using the medication, which comes as a topical lotion or foam, especially for women. Normally, hair grows about half of an inch each month. Each hair grows for up to six years, then it stops growing, rests for a while, and eventually falls out and is replaced by a new hair that grows for six years.

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:. This medicine usually comes with patient instructions. It is important that you read the instructions carefully. It is very important that you use this medicine only as directed.

Do not use more of it and do not use it more often than your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chance of it being absorbed through the skin. For the same reason, do not apply minoxidil to other parts of your body. Absorption into the body may affect the heart and blood vessels and cause unwanted effects.

Do not use any other skin products on the same skin area on which you use minoxidil. Hair coloring, hair permanents, and hair relaxers may be used during minoxidil therapy as long as the scalp is washed just before applying the hair coloring, permanent, or relaxer. Minoxidil should not be used 24 hours before and after the hair treatment procedure. Be sure to not double your doses of minoxidil to make up for any missed doses.

If your scalp becomes abraded, irritated, or sunburned, check with your doctor before applying minoxidil. Minoxidil topical foam or solution is for use on the scalp only. Keep this medicine away from the eyes, nose, and mouth. If you should accidentally get some in your eyes, nose, or mouth, flush the area thoroughly with cool tap water.

If you are using the pump spray, be careful not to breathe in the spray. While minoxidil is usually the first treatment used in female pattern hair loss, other options are available. These include prescription pills, light therapy, microneedling, platelet-rich plasma, and hair transplants. Oral prescription medications that affect hormone levels may work for women who have a hormonal component to their hair loss. Examples of these treatments include finasteride FDA-approved for treating hair loss in men, but not women , spironolactone, flutamide, or dutasteride AAD, n.

Laser therapy, also known as low-level light therapy LLLT , is a treatment for female pattern hair loss that you can do at home. There are no standard dosing regimens, but a few studies have shown that LLLT may be effective in treating hair loss and stimulating hair regrowth Fabbrocini, The FDA has approved low-level light therapy devices combs, helmets, and other devices for the treatment of both male and female hair loss, but more research is needed in this area AAD, n.

Microneedling is a minimally invasive procedure that is under investigation as another potential option for women with female pattern hair loss. Fine needles are rolled over the skin of the scalp to puncture the upper layers of scalp skin. The small punctures trigger a wound healing response that releases growth factors and may help stimulate hair growth Fabbrocini, Also, the wounds can improve the penetration of topical medications, like minoxidil.

A few studies have shown that microneedling—especially when paired with hair-growth promoting remedies—can help hair regrowth Fabbrocini, Researchers are studying platelet-rich plasma PRP as a treatment for hair loss.

Your blood is collected and separated into different parts. Platelets, one of the components of blood, are separated and treated. The platelet-rich plasma is then injected into your scalp. PRP has growth factors that may stimulate hair growth, and some surgeons use this therapy in conjunction with hair transplantation.

Early clinical results are promising, but more research is needed to determine the effectiveness of this treatment in female pattern hair loss Fabbrocini, Hair transplantation is the most invasive treatment for hair loss. It involves surgery to physically move hair follicles from one part of your scalp to the area of hair thinning. Hair transplants are not for everyone—they are usually reserved for people who have already tried medical treatment without success.

Most medical insurance plans do not cover hair transplant surgery, so cost may be an issue for some people. Some surgeons are combining hair transplants with platelet-rich plasma therapy Fabbrocini,