• Skip to content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Shop ModernMom
  • Become An Insider

ModernMom

The premiere destination for moms

  • Parenting
    • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Kids
    • Tweens and Teens
    • ModernMom Monday Videos
  • Cooking
  • Living Healthy
    • Breast Cancer
    • Health & Fitness
    • Body after Baby
    • Beauty
    • Relationships
    • Love
  • Lifestyle
    • Crafts
    • At Home
    • Education
    • Travel
    • Pets
    • Decorate
    • Money
    • Brooke Burke
  • Celebrate
    • Holidays
      • Easter
      • Valentine’s Day
      • New Year’s
      • Christmas
      • Hanukah
      • Halloween
      • Thanksgiving
    • Birthdays
    • Parties
  • Must Have
  • Contests
  • Entertainment

Can Women Use Rogaine?

December 10, 2010 by ds_48512 Leave a Comment

It’s not just men who have to deal with hair loss. Thanks to genetics, some women experience thinning hair as young as age 25. A common treatment method for hair loss for both men and women is minoxidil, which is sold under the brand name Rogaine, as well as in generic forms. It’s not a magic bullet, but using the medicine as directed could help many women regain lost hair.

Function

Minoxidil was originally intended to be used as an oral medication to lower blood pressure, according to WebMD. Excess hair growth was one side effect of the anti-hypertensive medicine, which sparked the idea of using the product to fight hair loss. Rogaine and generic versions of minoxidil are available for both men and women over-the-counter in either 2 percent or 5 percent topical ointments. Only the 2 percent version is approved by the FDA for use by women, though you may be able to use the 5 percent version under the supervision of your doctor.

Using Rogaine

Apply Rogaine directly to the affected areas of your scalp to see improvement. You should use apply it twice a day to a dry scalp. Massage the ointment in, making sure you coat the affected area completely. You should apply the solution after shampooing your hair or else wait for four hairs before washing your hair. Let the ointment dry fully before adding styling products to your hair. Since it can stain clothing and bed linens, always let it dry before putting on a hat or putting your head down on a pillow.

What You Can Expect

Patience is important when using minoxidil. Your hair will not magically return overnight. The hair that does come back may be a bit thinner than your old hair, according to MayoClinic.com. It may not grow as long as the hair you had previously, but it should be enough to cover over any areas of thinning.

Downsides

When you first start using Rogaine or another minoxidil product, you may lose more hair in the first few weeks. It can take as long as three months for your hair to begin to grow back. Some women may not see any results after six months. If that is the case for you, you may want to talk with your doctor about other options. To continue to see hair growth, you must keep using the product, according to MayoClinic.com.

Side Effects

Since it is a topical medication and a low dose, side effects from minoxidil tend to be rare. You may experience a rash or irritation on your scalp, especially if you use Rogaine on the same day that you dye or otherwise treat your hair. Rare side effects may happen if you use too much of the product, such as blurred vision, dizziness and swelling. Avoid these by always using Rogaine or other minoxidil products as directed.

Comments

comments

Filed Under: Fashion/Beauty

About ds_48512

Based in Pennsylvania, Emily Weller has been writing professionally since 2007, when she started writing theater reviews. Her writing covers a wide range of topics including theater, vegetarianism, travel and news. Weller has a Master of Fine Arts in dramaturgy and theater criticism from CUNY/Brooklyn College.

Reader Interactions

Primary Sidebar

Search

Tell a friend

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

ModernMom TV

Featured

The Little Boy On First Base

To all the coaches, parents, and fans of little … [Read More...] about The Little Boy On First Base

Must Have

STEM-related Toys to Include in Your Child’s Easter Basket This Year 

April has arrived which means it’s time to pull out the food … [Read More...] about STEM-related Toys to Include in Your Child’s Easter Basket This Year 

Did you know?

Cures & Remedies for Head Lice

Cures & Remedies for Head Lice

How to Help Young Kids Lose Weight

Married Man Hides His Feelings For You

How To Know If A Married Man Hides His Feelings For You

Coconut Oil

Why Coconut Oil Is So Good For Pregnant & Nursing Mothers

Advantages & Disadvantages for Children in a Single-Parent Family

substitution for oil in baking brownies

Substitution for Oil in Baking Brownies

Bake Frozen and Pre-Breaded Chicken

How to Bake Frozen and Pre-Breaded Chicken

Signs of Gestational Diabetes

Pregnancy & Signs of Gestational Diabetes

How to Bake Thin Sliced Turkey Cutlets

What Can I Use as an Egg Substitute When Baking Corn Bread

What Can I Use as an Egg Substitute When Baking Corn Bread?

Footer

  • About Us
  • Contact ModernMom
  • Advertise With Us
  • Press
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Contributors

Copyright © 2023 Modern Mom. All Rights Reserved.

Reproduction of any portion of this website only at the express permission of Mom, Inc.

The information provided on ModernMom is for educational use only. It should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.