What Is the Minoxidil Mechanism of Action for Hair Growth?

Just how does Minoxidil work to help enhance hair growth? Learn more about the exact Minoxidil mechanism here.

Minoxidil is one of the most commonly used medications for men and women who are experiencing hair loss. You may be familiar with Minoxidil as the active ingredient inside of the brand-name medication, Rogaine. But, whether you opt for the brand name or a generic Minoxidil, you should experience the same results.

‍

People using Minoxidil topically on the scalp may notice their hair growing in faster, thicker, and denser. It normally takes a few months to start noticing the positive effects of treatment. Also, there may be a shedding period at the beginning of treatment due to the hairs in the resting (telogen) hair phase being shifted over in bulk to the growing (anagen) hair phase. Ultimately, this is a good thing for hair growth.

‍

Minoxidil was originally used as an oral medication to help with high blood pressure. And, we know that it helps with high blood pressure by dilating vessels by activating the potassium channels in the vasculature when used for this indication.

‍

But, when it comes to using Minoxidil for your hair, how does it provide the benefits that it does to your scalp and hair follicles?

‍

Below, we will cover what we know so far about how Minoxidil helps to provide its well-studied hair growth benefits.

‍

What we know about the mechanism behind Minoxidil for hair growth

‍

Even though Minoxidil has been used since the 1980s for its potential to improve hair growth, we still don’t know fully what is happening to achieve this outcome.

‍

However, we do know a few things that may be part of the story behind how Minoxidil works for hair growth.:

‍

Minoxidil may help increase the length of the anagen (growth phase) of the hair cycle by acting directly on the hair follicles as a growth factor. This may delay the aging of some of the matrix cells of the hair follicles.
Minoxidil may help limit some of the negative androgen effects on androgen-sensitive hair. This is important when it comes to pattern hair loss, as the androgen DHT is the known culprit for the hair follicle damage that drives the shrinking and eventual loss of hairs.

‍

Minoxidil applied topically to the scalp can help turn on a pathway called the endoperoxide-synthase one pathway which is known to stimulate hair growth.

‍

Minoxidil is known to induce the expression of growth factors that cause the development of more vessels around the hair follicle area. This is beneficial for hair growth as more vessels mean more nutrients and oxygen being easily available to the hair follicles.

‍

Minoxidil can stimulate the dilation of the existing microvessels surrounding the hair follicles, potentially leading to improved hair growth.

‍

Minoxidil has been found to increase intracellular calcium levels which leads to the expression of more ATP synthase. This ATP synthase increase promotes stem cell differentiation which may be part of the reason behind Minoxidil’s hair growth functionality.

‍

Also Read: Dermaroller and Minoxidil: Benefits and Studies

‍

Strut Health prescription combination hair loss formulations online

‍

Here at Strut, we aim to offer unique and innovative hair loss formulations that think outside of the box.

‍

We offer a variety of hair loss prevention and hair growth-enhancing formulations, including many with Minoxidil. In our Women’s Hair Growth Formula, our Topical Finasteride Formula, and our Topical Dutasteride Formula, Minoxidil is combined with other active ingredients to help deliver synergistic results.

‍

If you are interested in seeing if one of our customizable prescription-strength Minoxidil hair loss formulations is a good fit for you, you can have a free online questionnaire and image-based visit with our U.S. licensed doctors today.

‍

If you are a good candidate for one of our medications, it will be shipped to your front door with our free shipping.

‍

If you have any questions during your treatment, our staff and doctors are available for free unlimited follow-ups to help you out.

‍