How to Properly Use Topical Hair Loss Medications
- There are two types of hair loss medications that you may be able to access: over-the-counter treatments using topical minoxidil, as well as prescription treatments.
- Both topical prescription hair loss treatments and over-the-counter minoxidil are to be applied directly to the scalp, not the hair. It should be applied at least two hours before bedtime.
- Always follow the dosing instructions as closely as possible that are provided with your topical treatments for hair loss, as they will take into account the applicator provided with your medication.
- During the start of treatment, additional hair shedding may be noticed - this is normal. It usually resolves within 2 months, and by 4-8 months after starting treatment, hair may begin to regrow.
- If you miss a dose of your topical hair loss treatment, simply take it as soon as possible; unless it’s near to your next dosage time, in which case, you can skip it.
- It is generally recommended that you continue using topical treatments for hair loss indefinitely; otherwise, the hair that has been maintained or regrown will be lost as well.
With any type of new medical treatment that you’re starting, there’s always a concern about making sure that you’re using the product accurately, effectively, and safely.
To answer questions like “do topical hair growth products work?”, as well as help you gather all the information you need about how to properly use topical hair loss medications, the team at Felix has put together this page for you.
If you’re interested in talking to a healthcare practitioner about whether there are hair loss treatments that may benefit you as part of your hair loss management plan, just complete a short online assessment to get started.
What Are Topical Hair Loss Medications?
There are currently two types of hair loss medications:
- Topical minoxidil (available over-the-counter)
- Prescription topical hair loss medications
How Do You Use Topical Hair Loss Treatments?
The standard method for using over-the-counter products including topical minoxidil is applying 1 mL of the minoxidil 5% solution, or one-half capful of the minoxidil 5% foam, twice daily to the area that’s experiencing hair loss.
Using the solution versus foam is based on your personal preference. However, the foam formula of topical minoxidil doesn’t contain propylene glycol, which is an ingredient that’s known to commonly cause contact dermatitis. There are also scent-free versions of minoxidil available.
When applying topical minoxidil, it’s important to remember to try and get the medication on your scalp, rather than your hair. Additionally, early in the course of your treatment, you may experience some hair shedding. It’s believed this is caused by the telogen follicles in your scalp being stimulated to reenter the anagen phase.
Thankfully, this increased hair loss usually stops within around two months. Talking about the potential for this situation with your practitioner can also help reduce prematurely discontinuing treatment, due to fears that it isn’t working.
Treatment should continue for at least 6 months prior to assessing the benefit of therapy. Treatment will need to be continued long-term, in order to maintain the response gained. If treatment is stopped, regrowth will be lost; usually over the course of several months.
It takes at least 4 months before you’ll begin to exhibit a visible effect from using topical minoxidil, which is why practitioners typically reassess patients for signs of response after 6 to 9 months. It’s recommended to use this product for at least 12 months before concluding on its efficacy for each person.
SIDE NOTE: Prescription hair loss medications are applied the same way as over-the-counter minoxidil, directly onto the affected areas; at least 2 hours before bedtime to allow for drying.
How to Properly Apply Topical Hair Treatment
As we mentioned, Minoxidil is available over-the-counter in both 2% and 5% liquid solution form, as well as the 5% foam variety. The 5% options are used for both men and women, while the 2% is typically only used for women.
To use these medications, you apply it directly to the scalp of the affected areas. It functions by promoting hair growth through lengthening the growth phase of the hair follicles, as well as causing more follicles to produce hair. These new hairs that are produced tend to be larger and thicker.
You should always follow the dosing instructions that are included with either your over-the-counter or prescription topical treatments for hair loss, so that you can get the best possible results.
In order to apply topical hair growth products, follow these instructions:
- Make sure your hair and scalp are completely dry, before applying your medication.
- Apply the amount prescribed to you directly to the area of the scalp being treated, starting in the center of the area and working outwards. Follow the instructions your practitioner provides for how to apply the solution, based on the applicator provided.
- Don’t shampoo your hair for at least 4 hours after applying minoxidil
- After applying your topical medication for hair loss, immediately wash your hands to remove any medication that may be left on them.
- Don’t use a hairdryer to dry the scalp area after applying your topical medication for hair loss. Blowing the area with a hairdryer may reduce the efficacy of your treatment.
- Allow 2 to 4 hours for topical treatments for hair loss to dry after applying it, including before going to bed. Minoxidil in particular is known to stain clothing, hats, or bed linens if your hair/scap aren’t fully dry after applying the medication.
- Avoid transferring the medication while wet to other parts of your body. This can happen in scenarios where the topical medications for hair loss get on your pillowcase, clothing, or if your hands aren’t washed properly after applying the treatment.
It’s important to note that you’ll need to use topical treatments for hair loss for at least 4 to 6 months, in order to determine whether it’s starting to work. At first, you could notice an actual increase in hair shedding, but this doesn’t mean the treatment isn’t working or making things worse. Effects of use usually stabilize after 12-18 months of consistent use.
These topical treatments for hair loss are generally recommended to be continued indefinitely. If you stop using them, any hair that has been maintained or regrown during the course of your treatment, will be lost.
If you’d like to talk to a healthcare practitioner about whether prescription topical hair growth products could be beneficial for you as part of your treatment plan, just complete a short online assessment to get started with Felix today!
Do Topical Hair Loss Products Work?
Over-the-counter topical hair growth products like minoxidil and prescription topical hair loss treatments work a little bit differently, though their intended effects are similar.
Over-the-Counter Topical Hair Loss Treatments
The pathophysiologic mechanism that minoxidil uses to influence the follicular structure and follicular cycling isn’t fully understood at this time.
Minoxidil is a vasodilator, and the induction of vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) may be one of the mechanisms minoxidil uses to help maintain the vascularity and size of dermal papillae (the collections of mesenchymal tissue that’s located beneath the follicles, which contributes to follicular development).
The volume of dermal papilla directly correlates with the size of emerging hair follicles, therefore, minoxidil-induced support of the dermal papilla could be relevant here.
Also, over-the-counter topical hair loss treatments containing minoxidil are a regulator of potassium ion channels. This may also be part of the reason topical hair loss treatments do work for some people.
Prescription Topical Medications for Hair Loss
These are hormonal treatments that work at the base of the hair follicles.
Specifically, they work by counteracting the effects of DHT, which is a broken-down form of testosterone, which plays a major role in hair loss. Too much DHT can cause hair follicles to shrink, and ultimately, fall out.
At least 6 months of consistent treatment should be done, prior to having an assessment about the response to these types of topical hair growth products.
If you’d like to talk to a healthcare practitioner about what prescription topical hair loss medications may be appropriate for you, complete a short online assessment to get started with Felix today!
Can Both Women and Men Use Topical Hair Medications?
Yes, there are versions of both over-the-counter and prescription topical hair loss treatments that are appropriate for men and women.
For women, Felix’s online pharmacy offers topical minoxidil as an option. However, at this time, we don’t provide prescription topical hair loss treatments at this time that are safe and effective for use by women.
What Happens If You Miss a Dose?
This depends on how long it’s been since your last dose.
In most cases, you should apply the topical hair growth product as soon as possible after remembering that you’ve missed a dose, but if it’s almost time for your next dose, you should skip the missed dose.
When that occurs, you can return to normal dosing schedule after either applying the missed dose in between, or skipping the missed dose.
SIDE NOTE: It can be a good idea to set alarms nearby to where you are during your chosen application period(s) daily, to help you remind yourself when it’s time to apply your medication, as well as help minimize missed doses.
When Should I Talk to My Healthcare Practitioner About Hair Loss Treatments?
Starting topical hair loss treatments as soon as possible after you notice hair beginning to thin is the best way to treat hair loss. This is because many of these topical products are often more effective at preventing additional hair loss, rather than promoting hair regrowth.
This means that you can salvage as much as your hair as possible, before it thins or falls out. Just complete a short online assessment (at your convenience), and one of our practitioners will be happy to evaluate whether we have topical medications for hair loss that may be beneficial as part of your treatment plan.
With Felix in your corner, you can take back control of your hairline and quality of life, so that you can get back to living life on your terms - the way it should be.
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