***Why Minoxidil is not Enough to Fight Hair Loss

In the 1980’s, Minoxidil was a drug used in the treatment of high blood pressure. Eventually, medical researchers noticed that one of the side effects of this drug was unexpected hair growth. The possibilities were immediately apparent, and by 1988 the FDA had approved Minoxidil (Rogaine) for the treatment of hair loss.

Rogaine is a topical solution that is massaged directly into the scalp where it can help to counteract the effects of DHT. This hormone accumulates in the hair follicles of men with male pattern baldness, interfering with the growth of healthy new hair. In reality, no one really understands why Minoxidil works, since it does not act to block the actual formation of DHT in the body the way other treatments for hair loss do. Nevertheless, Minoxidil has a toxic effect on DHT on the scalp, and it can help restore the ability of damaged hair follicles to begin growing healthy hair once again.

The Limitations of Minoxidil

Minoxidil can certainly play a constructive role in the preservation of hair after the onset of male pattern baldness. However, there are some limitations to Minoxidil that make it a less than ideal solution.

First, it needs to be applied continuously for a period of many months before it will begin to work, and treatments must continue for life if its effects are to be permanent. Needless to say, this can entail a significant financial investment.

Second, studies have shown that Rogaine is effective in less tha
40% of those who use it. And even when it is successful, the new hair that grows tends to be somewhat thin in comparison to fully healthy hair.

Finally, the production of too much DHT in the body can cause other health complications besides hair loss. Since Minoxidil is the only hair loss treatment that does not inhibit the body's overproduction of this hormone, it does not provide the same overall health benefits as other hair loss treatments.

An Alte
ative Approach

Fortunately, there are other approaches to treating hair loss that can do what Minoxidil cannot. The drug Propecia is the only prescription medication available that can counteract male pattern baldness, as its primary ingredient (Finasteride) is able to block the process through which DHT is manufactured in the human body. However, this drug has some significant side effects, and while these apparently do not manifest in the majority of men who take Propecia, this is still something that must be taken into consideration.

Natural supplements such as Procerin contain ingredients capable of blocking DHT production do not have this downside. While supplements perhaps do not have the sudden impact of Finasteride, if taken faithfully for a period of weeks, the restorative effects of these products can produce some terrific results at a fraction of the cost of Propecia.

Double Trouble for Hair Loss

Minoxidil's ability to negate some of the ravages of DHT in the scalp certainly gives it value as a hair loss treatment option. But if it were to be combined with a natural supplement that has been proven through clinical studies to be able to block DHT production while invigorating hair growth, these two types of treatments working together could make an especially big impact.