Written by Menswear Style in Hair on the 10th March 2021

Did you know that as many as two thirds of men experience some degree of hair loss by the time they turn 35? So hair loss and receding hairlines (otherwise known as androgenetic alopecia) are very common issues. If you worry about your hair getting thinner or if you think your hairline is receding – no need to stress! You are definitely not alone and there are a ton of things you can do right now to stop your hair loss. While there are lots of questionable and unproven ‘miracle’ cures for hair loss advertised all over the internet, there are only two treatments that have science backing them up. We are talking about Minoxidil and Finasteride. They both work in different ways but are very effective as a solution for hair loss. For this article, we’ll dive deeper into the basics of Minoxidil.

What is Minoxidil? 

Minoxidil is a topical solution, meaning that it’s only used externally on the skin. It is applied directly to the scalp to help combat hair loss. It is currently sold under many different trade names around the globe, Rogaine being one of them. The discovery of Minoxidil happened accidentally. It was first made to cure ulcers but did not work as was intended. One of the side effects found was vasodilation – the widening of blood vessels. Soon after this discovery doctors started using Minoxidil topically to help men battle male pattern baldness. Due to its ability to increase blood flow of the hair follicles on the scalp, it’s a very effective product for hair loss. Because the hair follicles get better blood flow, they get back the ability to make stronger and thicker strands of hair. This increases the overall volume of your hair and helps prevent additional hair loss.

Why Minoxidil Is Effective And Why You Should Be Using It 

You can get Minoxidil in two different forms: as a topical solution or as a foam. Both work the same way, but the solution does a better job of getting the Minoxidil where it needs to go: onto the skin of the scalp, where it gets absorbed into the hair follicles. Foam-based Minoxidil tends to go onto the hair itself, more so than onto the scalp and hair follicles. Minoxidil should be applied to the scalp twice a day, every day. By doing this you will help increase your hair density and you should notice some regrowth of the hair in areas where it was thinning. If you want the best possible chances of success it’s advised to start using Minoxidil as soon as possible, in the early-to-mid stages of hair loss. The moment you notice that your hair is starting to thin out or your hairline is receding, don’t hesitate and start applying the solution. The sooner you start the better the results will be.

Minoxidil Side Effects 

As with any medicine, side effects from Minoxidil are possible, but rare. Some men have reported experiencing some skin irritation when they started using the product, and in some cases it is possible that the scalp dries out causing dandruff. Most often, these unpleasant side effects are caused not by the Minoxidil itself, but by the harsh additives and preservatives that make up the treatment, including ethanol (alcohol) and propylene glycol (PG). One company that has addressed these side effects head-on is Freshman. Freshman has caused a sensation in the men’s hair loss community by becoming the first company to offer a Minoxidil formulation that’s free from alcohol and propylene glycol, harsh additives that are known to cause side effects including irritation, itchiness, scalp dryness and dandruff. Their formulation was specifically developed for guys who have sensitive skin on their head. Instead of these additives, the Freshman Minoxidil formula is based on a patented formula containing essential oils, which has been shown to absorb quickly into the scalp, with less risk of irritation and scalp dryness.

How Well Does Minoxidil Work And Should I Be Taking It? 

Especially in younger men and men in the early stages of male pattern baldness, Minoxidil has proven its worth. If you have recently noticed more hairs than usual falling out or you feel like your hairline is receding, consider getting Minoxidil as your main treatment option. If your father or uncle both have balding heads chances are high you will experience the same. When this is the case, Minoxidil works fantastic as a preventative treatment. So the sooner you start applying it, the longer you can keep that head full of hair. As for what solution you should get, that’s really up to you. Some prefer the topical cream and others swear by the foam. The most popular and convenient treatment is the 5% solution. Scientific studies have shown that anything higher than this is not proven to be more effective. Contact a hair loss specialist - such as the pharmacy team at Freshman to help you get the correct diagnosis and help determine which is the optimal treatment for your needs.

Effective, preventative and to be considered 

Now you know a lot more about Minoxidil you can make an informed decision on your choice of treatment. It’s been on the market for many years, has been widely researched, and 70% of men using it report it to be a very effective treatment option. The most common side effects can be avoided by choosing an alcohol and propylene free product, like the one from Freshman.

We team up with Freshman to educate men on alcohol-free minoxidil, side effects, and whether it actually prevents men’s hair loss.