Hair loss can be a devastating thing for most men, with many wondering how they are ever going to manage without their thick, flowing locks.
And while some make the most of it, shave their head, and embrace their new look, there are some who hunt high and low for a remedy to their unfortunate, yet wholly natural, problem.
On the modern market, there are many hair loss treatments, one of the most famous being Rogaine. But just how effective is it, and can it stop a receding hairline?
What Is Rogaine?
Rogaine is a widely used hair loss treatment designed to stop thinning hair in its tracks, and restore some of the natural thickness back.
Available in the form of foam, Rogaine is generally applied to the hair with an included applicator, and depending on the type of hair loss, the severity of the thinning, and your gender, it can prove relatively effective.
Rogaine & Receding Hairlines
Unfortunately, one thing that Rogaine is not good for, is recession at the front of the scalp.
This is because, for reasons not entirely known by scientists, the area around the hairline doesn’t respond well to many hair loss treatments.
What Is Rogaine Good For?
While Rogaine has not shown to be effective on a receding hairline, it does deliver noticeable effects on the rest of the head, most notably slowing thinning around the crown area to the rear of the scalp.
It is also suited for slowing and even reversing (in some cases) the generalized thinning of the texture of the hair, although the results tend to be random and specific to the individual, and can depend on the extent to which the hair has thinned.
Rogaine has also been shown to be effective against female pattern baldness, most notably because there is a much lower concentration of testosterone (and thus dihydrotestosterone) in the female body.
When Not To Use Rogaine
There are also several types of people who Rogaine is not suited for, either from a medical perspective, or due to the extent of their balding.
Completely Bald Men
Many experts do not recommend using Rogaine if you are completely bald, or have no (or limited) hair on the scalp.
This treatment works best in the very early stages of hair loss, when minor thinning just starts to become noticeable to the individual.
Completely bald people will not see any new hair growth as a result of using Rogaine, and as such it is not advised.
Receding Hairlines
Men with receding hairlines are not advised to use this product, as it is widely reported to be ineffective on the temple region of the scalp.
Users who have just started to recede (barely noticeably) might see some thickening and improvement, but by and large, this product does not work on the front of the head.
This does however depend on the individual, and there have been cases where users have reported some hair growth and thickening when using the product in those areas.
Under 18s
Rogaine is not recommended for those under the age of 18, even if they are experiencing some hair loss early in their lives.
For starters, most hair loss in teenagers comes as a result of excessive product use or dying, nutrition, or as a result of stress, and other methods should always be taken to counteract the problem before resorting to hair loss drugs.
Those With Medical Hair Loss
Those experiencing hair loss as a result of an illness – such as cancer – or as a result of subsequent treatment such as chemotherapy, should not use Rogaine.
This is because the hair loss experienced during said treatments is usually temporary, and the components within Rogaine could negatively affect treatment or cause unwanted side effects.
Similarly those with other conditions such as alopecia areata, nutritional deficiencies, scarring of the scalp, and thyroid diseases shouldn’t use Rogaine.
People With Scalp Issues
Rogaine also shouldn’t be used by those who experience dry scalps, psoriasis, infections of the scalp, and painful skin.
The components in Rogaine could aggravate these conditions, cause further damage or skin problems, and potentially cause further pain.
Potential Side Effects Of Rogaine
Of course, even those who are recommended to use Rogaine might also experience some negative side effects.
For Men
For men, the side effects can include, but are not limited to: itching, skin rash, acne at the site of application, burning scalp, facial hair growth, increased hair loss, inflammation and soreness at the root of the hair, reddened skin, and swelling of the face.
Other side effects can also signal that too much medication has entered the bloodstream.
In this instance, the side effects could include: blurred vision, changes in vision, chest pain, dizziness, fainting, fast or irregular heartbeat, flushing, headache, lightheadedness, numbing/tingling hands, swelling of face, hands, feet, and lower legs, and rapid weight gain.
For Women
While more effective on women, they are also open to their own range of potential side effects.
These can include: contact dermatitis, itchiness, flaking skin, redness, irritation, burning, unwanted hair growth, temporary hair shedding, low blood pressure, potential fetal development impairment in pregnant women, allergy symptoms, hives, itchiness, inflammation, rashes, headaches, heart palpitations, nausea, vomiting, and changes to the color of the hair.
Final Thoughts
And there we have it, everything you need to know about Rogaine, and its efficacy on hair loss and receding hairlines.
While Rogaine is not effective for frontal hair loss, it can prove beneficial for those with thinning hair, or hair loss at the scalp.
However, medication should never be used without consideration and consultation with a trained medical professional or pharmacist.
So, if you are experiencing thinning hair, and you want to catch it quickly, then why not make an appointment, and see if Rogaine is the one for you?
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