Minoxidil - the first real treatment for hair loss

Over 50 years old and used by tens of thousands

Minoxidil is one of only two pharmaceuticals currently licensed by the US Federal Drug Administration as a treatment for hereditary hair loss. With a surprisingly long history, and after hundreds of studies and trials, it has a demonstrated ability to slow hair loss in the majority of cases, as well as actively promote regrowth in up to a third of cases. Given its long track record of results and safety, it is a powerful tool to help you keep your hair fit and healthy.

Discovered by accident when the only alternatives were “miracle-cures”

It's a sad reflection on the quackery that was the hair-loss “miracle cure” industry that when the first proper pharmaceutical treatment was discovered by accident, researchers actively downplayed it for fear of not being taken seriously. In the 1960s, researchers at Upjohn (now a part of Pfizer¹) dismissed reports of hair thickening and regrowth in their clinical trials of new oral hypertension drug, Minoxidil, as an unimportant side effect. However, it was always going to be impossible to keep quiet that the new drug promoted hair growth, and a letter in the New England Journal of Medicine in 1980² finally acknowledged what was considered by then an "open secret".

Occupied with launching oral minoxidil for heart disease, Upjohn didn’t commence clinical trials of a topical version of the drug to combat hair loss until 1978, despite being deluged with volunteers. An initial placebo-controlled 6-month dose study³ of 0.01%, 0.1%, 1%, and 2% solutions showed significant increases in hair counts⁴ from solutions 0.1% and above, and clinically observable hair growth starting at 1% and above. Finally realising what they had on their hands, Upjohn moved to large-scale clinical trials in multiple centres across the United States⁵.

Hundreds of studies have demonstrated its effectiveness and safety

Since the initial research by Upjohn, there have been approximately 310 separate trials and studies into the efficacy and safety of Minoxidil⁶. In summation, the findings demonstrate that in excess of 80% of cases minoxidil will delay hair loss versus a placebo or non-treated case, and in slightly over 30% of cases, it will stimulate observable regrowth. The only side effect noted is local irritation of the scalp, which is correlated with increasing dose strength. For 2% strength topical solutions, this irritation was classed as moderate to severe in 6% of cases[^7]. When patients cease twice daily treatment their hair typical thins to a level similar to that of the non-treated or placebo groups within 48 weeks.

In a post-marketing surveillance study by Upjohn of in excess of 11,000 men and women who had been using minoxidil for a period longer than one year, 92% rated it as excellent, good or fair at stopping hair loss. Compliance with a twice daily regime appears to be the most significant factor in determining how well minoxidil works for a patient.

One of the most powerful tools to keep your hair fit and healthy

Minoxidil is the oldest and most studied FDA-approved pharmaceutical treatment hair loss for both men and women. It has a long history of proven effectiveness and safety with tens of thousands of people using it daily for over a decade. It has the proven ability to slow (and in a lucky third of cases roll back) early stage hair loss. The keys to using it effectively are to tune the dosage to the sensitivity of your scalp and maintain a safe and convenient application. At Men's Hair Fitness we are building on this successful history with a new subscription service that will deliver the marketing-leading minoxidil spray Regro to your door every month at a great price, see our treatments for details.