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In today’s era, not only the elderly but also a large number of young people are becoming victims of rapid hair fall, decreasing density and emerging baldness in the center of the head. These days, a lotion or spray named ‘Minoxidil’ is going viral as a magical solution in the world of social media and internet with the claim of saving the flying hair on the head and re-growing new hair on the head. On the Internet and on different online platforms, people are openly sharing the miraculous pictures and transformation videos of their ‘hair growth’ after using Minoxidil, seeing which lakhs of youth immediately buy it without any doctor’s advice and start applying it on their heads. But is Minoxidil really safe for everyone and is this shining truth visible on social media completely true? Let’s take an in-depth look at the lesser-known aspects, benefits, and serious side effects associated with the use of Minoxidil that every baldness sufferer should know about.
What is Minoxidil and how does this hair growth formula work?
Minoxidil is originally a vasodilator drug that was initially used to treat high blood pressure, but as a side effect, it led to hair growth on the body and head of patients, after which it started being used as a topical solution to treat baldness. When it is applied on the scalp, it widens the blood vessels there, thereby speeding up the supply of oxygen, blood and essential nutrients to the hair follicles. This process reactivates the weakened hair roots and helps in new hair growth by slowing down the hair fall. This is why people suffering from alopecia or androgenetic alopecia consider it a boon for their hair, provided it is used correctly and as per scientific rules.
Viral transformation pictures on the internet and its increasing craze among the youth.
Nowadays, on social media platforms like Instagram, YouTube Reels and Reddit, influencers and common people using Minoxidil are sharing such ‘before and after’ pictures which confuse the youth who want to grow hair overnight. These viral posts show how thick hair has grown on bald heads within a few weeks or months, leading people to buy bottles of Minoxidil from medical stores without thinking. However, many times these pictures are either edited to get likes and views or the long medical process behind them, the problem of initial hair loss (shedding phase) and the compulsion of continuous use are hidden. This is why dermatologists believe that indiscriminate use of any medicine by getting trapped in this misleading web of social media can prove to be dangerous for health.
Dermatologist’s warning before applying Minoxidil and its major side effects
Dermatologists and hair transplant surgeons say that Minoxidil is not a cosmetic oil but a powerful medical drug, which should always be used only after doctor’s prescription and advice. According to dermatologists, within the first two to four weeks of starting Minoxidil, hair starts falling rapidly, which is called ‘shedding’, and seeing this phase, people often get scared and stop using it, which makes the situation even worse. Apart from this, many people face problems like severe itching, dandruff, redness, and irritation on the scalp with its regular use. If this medicine accidentally gets applied on the face or forehead, there may be a problem of unwanted hair growth, which becomes a cause of mental stress for the users.
Once started, lifelong bond and once quit, baldness returns.
The biggest truth and warning related to the use of Minoxidil is that it is not a permanent cure for any type of baldness, rather it only works as long as you are applying it regularly. Dermatologists explain that if a person starts using Minoxidil and suddenly stops it after a few months or years, all his new and old hair starts falling out rapidly and the condition of the scalp becomes worse than before. This means that Minoxidil becomes a lifelong routine that you cannot afford to leave. Therefore, before applying any expensive or chemical-laden product to your scalp, it is very important to get yourself checked by an expert doctor to understand the real causes of your hair fall—such as hormonal imbalance, nutritional deficiency or stress.