Hair fall is a very sensitive topic for all of us. It is so sensitive that we resort to various proven therapies, expensive treatments, and even hair transplants just to get the hair back. The hair fall problem tampers with our social image and directly hits our confidence level.
Majority of the men and women around the world are confident and have the inhibitions to expose themselves or allow themselves to be seen due to this common issue. The increase in the number of specialized clinics and centers for hair treatments and hair transplants is proof of this mindset of people to get back the lost hair in no time. Sometimes it turns out to be an effective and worthy investment but most of the time the treatments are expensive but less effective. Leave alone being less effective, it becomes a topic of discussion when its adverse effects are so severe to the user how are going to discuss minoxidil side effects here?
We are sure many of you can relate to this scenario where you started using a chemical-based product for a very long time to get rid of one issue but ended up damaging your health big time because of nil awareness of the product you are using.
Minoxidil is one such product used for hair growth and we are going to discuss minoxidil’s disadvantages when used continuously for treating hair fall.
How did minoxidil come into existence?
Minoxidil was not a drug developed for hair fall but to lower blood pressure. Interestingly doctors noticed excessive hair growth in patients using it. This interesting side effect led to the development of a special formulation for promoting hair growth used for the male pattern and female pattern baldness
Minoxidil was first introduced as an antihypertensive medication and the discovery of its common adverse event, hypertrichosis, led to the development of a topical formulation for promoting hair growth. To date, minoxidil topical solution is the mainstay treatment for androgenetic alopecia and is used as an off-label treatment for other hair loss conditions. It’s available as a solution and as topical foam
Hypertrichosis– Hypertrichosis is defined as excessive hair growth anywhere on the body in either males or females.
Androgenetic alopecia– Androgenetic alopecia is a common form of hair loss in both men and women. In men, this condition is also known as male-pattern baldness. Hair is lost in a well-defined pattern, beginning above both temples. Over time, the hairline recedes to form a characteristic “M” shape
How minoxidil does promote hair growth?
Hair goes through several phases while growing. Although the precise mechanism of action for minoxidil isn’t fully understood, researchers think minoxidil hair growth is because of two main reasons: moving hair follicles into an active growth state and stimulating blood flow throughout your scalp. Minoxidil shortens the resting phase of hair growth and moves your hair into the active phase. But there is a truth bomb that has to burst. Minoxidil topical is used to help you regrow hair on your scalp and will not cause permanent regrowth of scalp hair. You must continue using the product to keep the regrowth of your hair. As long as you use minoxidil, your hair growth phase is active. Once you stop using the drug the hair again goes back to the resting phase and all the falls off.
The side effects caused by minoxidil can be grouped into 2 categories.
They are:
-
COMMON EFFECTS:
- Irritation is mild to severe because it is made of alcohol base or propylene base
- Eczema (Eczema is a condition in which patches of skin become inflamed, itchy, cracked, and rough. Some types can also cause blisters.)
- Abnormal hair growth on the body
- Application site redness
- Worsening of hair loss
- Burning
- Changes in the color or texture of your hair
- HARMFUL EFFECTS:
1.ALLERGY TO MINOXIDIL ITSELF:
Some people may become allergic to the drug itself and get irritation, swelling of the head, redness, and swelling of the whole face. In that case usage of the solution has to be stopped immediately and there is no replacement.
Sometimes the allergy might be because of the base used in the solution which is alcohol or propylene. In that case, a cure is possible by changing to minoxidil with different bases like coconut or foam base instead of the solution.
- FLUID RETENTION (EDEMA)
Signs of edema include:
- Swelling or puffiness of the tissue directly under your skin due to fluid retention.
- Stretched or shiny skin
- Skin that retains a dimple (pits), after being pressed for several seconds
- Increased abdominal size
3.ABNORMAL SEXUAL FUNCTION:
The side effects include diminished libido, loss of libido, erectile dysfunction, ejaculation disorder, and decreased seminal volume.
4. A VISION CHANGE:
Long-term use of 5% minoxidil may cause retinal opacification, thinning and atrophy, and a superior field defect. Minoxidil’s role in the growth of new blood vessels can in turn cause retinal capillary rearrangement and increase the risk of vessel thrombosis and occlusion
- ABNORMAL HEART RHYTHM
Minoxidil can increase your heart rate and cause or worsen chest pain. It can cause poor heart function or worsen existing heart problems. Doctors usually prescribe other medications, such as water pills (diuretics) and beta-adrenergic blocking drugs, with minoxidil to help prevent heart problems.
- LOW BLOOD PRESSURE
Minoxidil is a potent oral antihypertensive, developed at the end of the 1980s. As discussed earlier in the blog Minoxidil was developed to lower blood pressure initially. When used continuously the patients demonstrated hypotension despite leading a healthy lifestyle
Lightheadedness is a potential adverse effect of minoxidil when used excessively.
- AFFECTS LUNGS:
Rapid weight gain, especially in your face and midsection, shortness of breath, a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out, fluid build-up in the lungs, pain when you breathe, feeling short of breath while lying down, wheezing, gasping for breath, cough with foamy mucus are some adverse side effects of minoxidil.
- EFFECT ON BREASTFEEDING MOTHER:
This drug is secreted in human milk when systemically absorbed. A breastfed infant who was born 4 weeks preterm developed facial hypertrichosis while her mother was using 5% minoxidil topically twice a day. The infant appeared normal at 2 weeks of age but had considerable black hair on the forehead at 2 months of age. The mother discontinued minoxidil and at 6 months of age, the infant had lost the excess hair.
- HEADACHE:
Minoxidil Oral side effects include headache, nausea, or vomiting. These side effects may be temporary and naturally resolve once your body adjusts to the medication. Most of the side effects of minoxidil go away when you stop using the product.
The major drawback of minoxidil is although it helps in hair regrowth; as such it is not a cure for hair loss.
Cautions while using minoxidil
- Once started, need to use indefinitely; hair growth should be apparent by 4 months
- Can be easily removed from the scalp; avoid contact with the scalp once applied
- Hair color may change
- Use caution in patients with heart disease
- Solution is flammable; keep away from fire or flame
- Avoid contact with eyes
- Not for use when infection, redness, or inflammation present
The chemical products not just rip the natural healthy look of your hair but also damages various parts of the body and rarely cause severe irreversible effects. Having said that, imagine removing all the toxic chemicals found in your regular hair care products and the results summing to a win for all the planet and animals.
The concept of clean beauty is creating waves in the skincare industry. We at Yeka have found the perfect natural product which is a one-stop solution for all your hair loss concerns.
Yeka’s Moringa Herbal Hair Oil is perfect for hair regrowth, hair fall control, and dandruff control hair oil that also prevents premature greying of hair. It is made of fresh handpicked organic moringa leaves with great care and hygiene.
How to use:
- Moderate Hair fall:
Use weekly thrice before hair wash. Apply on
scalp and leave for a minimum of 1 hour and wash off. Slowly increase the duration to overnight for better results.
- Heavy Hair fall:
- Take the required quantity of Yeka Moringa Herbal Hair Oil and apply it to the scalp and whole hair.
- Massage gently for a few minutes.
- Leave it overnight and wash your hair the next morning.
You can join the tribe of 15000 + customers whose hair has magically transformed effortlessly in a short period.
A life aligned with nature is the best way of living. Our Indian roots trace back to the good old natural organic products and a healthy lifestyle that is an example to the whole world even now. As discussed earlier in this blog are you ready to boost your confidence and assert your public image most naturally? Patience and mental preparedness to deal with the hair fall problem and the secret natural product shared will do magic to your hair.
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