Rogaine Hair Growth Facts
Rogaine is a drug used to treat male pattern baldness. This product was approved by the FDA in the late 1980s as a safe and effective way to stop hereditary hair loss and regrow hair. Originally, patients needed a doctor's prescription to purchase Rogaine, but in 1996 the Food and Drug Administration approved the drug for over-the-counter sale. Rogaine can now be purchased in drug stores alongside shampoos.
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Features
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The active ingredient in Rogaine is Minoxidil. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, Minoxidil can slow down hair loss and stimulate hair growth. This medication will not cure baldness, and most new hair growth will fall out within a few months if the patient stops using Minoxidil.
Time Frame
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Rogaine will need to be applied to the scalp for at least two months before results are visible. In some cases, it may take up to one year before new hair growth is seen. When using Rogaine, it is important to be patient while waiting for results, as using more of the product will not speed up hair growth and may increase the risk of negative side effects.
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Types
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Rogaine is produced in both men's and women's formulas. Men's Rogaine contains five percent Minoxidil and is available as a liquid or foam which is applied directly to the scalp and used twice daily. Women's Rogaine contains two percent Minoxidil and should also be applied twice a day, directly to the scalp.
Considerations
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According to the Rogaine website, women should not use Men's Rogaine. The formula is also not recommended for people under the age of 18 or those who do not have a family history of hair loss. Rogaine is intended to stop and sometimes reverse the effects of hereditary hair loss while the product is being used. Rogaine will not remedy a receding hairline or sudden hair loss. Scalp irritation such as itching, dryness, flaking, burning, or irritation may occur after using Rogaine. A doctor should be consulted if the symptoms are severe.
Warning
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Patients who experience the following symptoms after using Rogaine should contact their doctor immediately; weight gain, difficulty breathing, rapid heartbeat, light-headedness, chest pain, or swelling of the face, hands, ankles, or stomach. These serious side effects are not considered normal and can be reported to the FDA's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program by calling 1-800-332-1088.
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