Minoxidil Works: How It Works, Explained Simply

Video Transcript

Minoxidil is one of the most widely used treatments for pattern hair loss. It is available over the counter, as a liquid, a foam, or a tablet. To understand how it helps, it helps to remember the hair cycle. Each follicle grows for a few years, then rests, then sheds. In pattern hair loss, affected follicles spend less time growing and gradually shrink, producing finer, shorter hairs. Minoxidil is thought to work partly by widening the small blood vessels around the follicle and by prolonging the growing phase. Over months, that can help some follicles produce thicker, longer hairs again. One thing to expect early on is a temporary increase in shedding, as resting hairs are released to make way for new growth. This usually settles. Results are gradual. It typically takes several months of daily use before any change is visible. And the effect depends on continued use. If minoxidil is stopped, the benefit is gradually lost over the following months. It is approved for use in both men and women, though the strength and form that suit each person can differ. This video is for general education only. It is not medical advice. Ask your doctor what's right for you.