The science-backed fixes behind stronger, cleaner, better-growing hair
Minoxidil (Rogaine) is considered to be the best treatment for thinning hair. The foam form is recommended over the liquid version, as the latter contains propylene glycol, which can cause skin irritation.
Typically, minoxidil is available in gender-specific formats. The men’s version is 5% strength; the women’s version is half that strength. Don’t be put off by the blue box on the product that says, “Not for use by women.” There’s no reason women can’t use the men’s version — the FDA approved 5% strength minoxidil for men to use twice a day, and for women once a day. (If you need reassurance, the Kirkland Women’s Minoxidil is 5% strength, and the instructions say to apply once daily.) Women should be careful to apply it specifically where needed, using a small brush like a toothbrush for accuracy, because wherever minoxidil ends up, it will cause hair growth.
Minoxidil isn’t active on its own. For minoxidil to work, it relies on a specific enzyme called sulfotransferase to be present within the hair follicle. When minoxidil interacts with the enzyme, sulfotransferase converts it to minoxidil sulfate, which in turn increases blood flow to the hair follicle.
Not everyone has sufficient amounts of sulfotransferase in their hair follicles, so for them, minoxidil doesn’t work as they’d hoped. If you haven’t seen results from minoxidil after a few months, apply retinol to the scalp before minoxidil. This can be done with a storebought retinol like Roc or Differin adapalene or with a prescription retinoid (up to .025%. More than that will be too irritating). Retinol boosts sulfotransferase levels, which in turn should properly activate the minoxidil. Retinol will also help minoxidil penetrate deeper.
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