Does minoxidil really work for hair loss?

I know it might depend on why a person's hair is falling out in the first place. I'm not losing but know people who are, and, I might start losing hair later!Does minoxidil really work for hair loss?
American Academy of Dermatology, one of the most influential dermatology associations in the world, has stated in its campaign in August 2003, that the 2 most efficient solutions for people suffering from hair loss were: minoxidil topical solution, finasteride (better known as Propecia) oral drug and hair transplant.





This in itself could be implied that minoxidil does work because it had undergone many tests to prove its effectiveness before being approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).





Minoxidil and finasteride can be ingredients for many drugs, but only Rogaine and Propecia are approved for hair loss problems by FDA (first one in 1988 and the other 10 years later).





Both of these hair loss treatments were discovered by chance: initially minoxidil was used for high blood pressure problems and finasteride was used for increased prostate.





Minoxidil grows hair but does not stop hair loss





Rogaine, having minoxidil as active ingredient (in 80% ethanol solution, water and Propylene Glycol) is applied topically twice a day and helps the hair growth with visible effects on the crowns of men's heads and on the forehead areas for women (but it does not cure the hair loss).





Propecia, having 1 mg of finasteride, is taken orally and decreases the level of androgens, the hormone that causes the hair loss.





While we don't no exactly how minoxidil works, for finasteride is quite clear: restrains the action of 5 alpha enzyme and that shrinks the transformation of testosterone into DHT (dihydrotestosterone ). The positive effect is that having less DHT, the miniaturization of the hair follicles will also be decreased. But having a diminished level of testosterone can lead to side effects like: depression, a loss of muscle mass, a decreased sex drive, an erectile dysfunction.Does minoxidil really work for hair loss?
Based on researched I have done on the internet, below is some information that you may find helpful.








There is no simple answer to the question “does minoxidil work” because for some people it does, for others it doesn't. Minoxidil is to be used daily and the positive effects have to appear in 2-4 months. If you haven’t seen results after 6 months of topical application, then that is the sign that it doesn't work for you and a new drug should be tried.


The overall conclusion is that minoxidil works because it is effective at recruiting hair at the follicles, especially when used with DHT inhibitors such as Propecia. It is also true that many users do not give minoxidil sufficient time for it work. They either do not apply as instructed or simply give up too soon. It can take anything between 6 and 12 months for some to see any results. Of course, many users get results within 3 or 4 month of starting.
It has some mixed results and they can say it works because has worked for some people. A more proven treatment for hair loss is hair restoration. Hair Restoration generally costs between $4000 and $5000 but can get as expensive as $12000 depending on the doctor, and how much you are getting to restored. The website I found mentioned that grafts cost between $3-$10 per graft but the number of hairs a doctor puts in per graft can very so it suggested seeing a doctor and asking him/her about it. If I was doing hair restoration I would see a few different doctors and weigh the pros/cons of each one to make your best decision. Who knows you may be able to mention the different prices to each doctor to see if you can get your favorite to lower his/her price!
It's possible. Hair growth is more like its side effect because its primary use is as a vasodilator for hypertension. Another possible cause for hair loss is high levels of androgens (testosterone) and one of the treatments for that is finasteride which is also to treat prostate cancer. There's hair implants and other new techniques that are always being introduced. So don't worry too much about.
minoxidil is very expensive and has alot of side effects:(
If you are balding in the back first then rogane aka minoxidil usually works but, if you are balding from the front first then it usuaklly does not work for those peole.