3 year follow up of 68 Year-old Male on Oral Minoxidil

Minoxidil, brand name Rogaine, received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1988 as the first drug proven to promote hair regrowth. It is a vasodilator, and it is speculated that, by widening blood vessels and opening potassium channels, it allows more oxygen, blood and nutrients to the hair follicle. This can also cause follicles in the telogen phase to shed, usually soon to be replaced by new, thicker hairs in a new anagen phase.

68-year-old male before and after using low-dose oral minoxidil to maintain and thicken his existing hair.

Minoxidil was initially developed in the 1970s as a potent peripheral vasodilator agent for the treatment of severe refractory hypertension.

Top view before and three years after beginning low-dose oral minoxidil.

Multiple studies have explored using low-dose oral minoxidil (<5 mg daily) for treating many forms of alopecia, including male-patterned and female-patterned hair loss, to treat hair loss without adverse reactions. The low adverse-effect profile of low-dose oral minoxidil aids in long-term adherence to treatment and positive clinical response. *

Source: NIH – National Library of Medicine