Rogaine™ For Men
2% Minoxidil or 5% Minoxidil Solution

Rogaine™ uses the drug Minoxidil in its topical solution.

How does Rogaine™ work? Although no side by side studies have yet been undertaken, some facts can be stated with a reasonable degree of certainty. For instance, although researchers do not know for sure exactly how Minoxidil works in treating hair loss, it is generally understood that it operates in a fashion unlike that of commonly used DHT blocking ingredients. As such, it is generally accepted among researchers that it does not stop the synthesis (creation) of more harmful DHT in the body, nor does it block DHT which already exists in the body from getting into the scalp and hair follicles.

Minoxidil was originally developed as a blood pressure medication. When it is applied to the scalp topically, it may have the effect of dilating blood vessels in the scalp. Although clinical research has not yet shown exactly what effect this blood vessel dilation has, it could result in helping to sustain hair follicles which have been weakened by DHT. The problem is that meanwhile, the harmful DHT is still being produced in the body and is also still getting into the scalp and hair follicles and causing the hair in those susceptible hair follicles to become thinner and shorter throughout their growing cycles.

Does Minoxidil work on the front receding hair line?

The makers of Rogaine™ have indicated on their web site (www.rogaine.com) that Minoxidil is formulated to work only on the top/crown portion of the scalp, the area that doctors call the VERTEX. Accordingly, they state that it is not intended for frontal baldness or receding hairline.

The FDA states the same thing: Use of Minoxidil 5% solution is "to regrow hair on the top of the scalp (vertex only, see pictures on side of carton)." Additionally the FDA states "Minoxidil 5% solution is not intended for frontal baldness or receding hairline." To verify this information, read this Drug Facts Label data sheet published by the FDA on Minoxidil.

Hair Genesis™ helps both men and women to strengthen and revitalize their hair and to regrow hair on all areas of the scalp: not only the top - crown area, but also the front receding hairline area and the back area (where Minoxidil-products such as Rogaine™, generic Minoxidil, Avacor™, Hair Advantage™ and others do not work effectively or at all.) Click here to learn more about how HairGenesis works.

Hair Genesis™ is the only Non-Drug hair growth / hairloss treatment remedy with proven results backed by independent, peer-reviewed, published FDA-Regulated research. 

How effective is Minoxodil for Hair Growth?

Clinical studies by the makers of Rogaine™ (the first hair growth treatment to use the drug Minoxidil) have shown that only about 1 out of 4 men and about 1 out of 5 women will experience re-growth of their hair, and then it is only very moderate regrowth. And those that do see such limited growth, must continue to use the Minoxidil product on-going, or their hair will fall back out again within three to four months after stopping usage of it.

According to the FDA Drug Facts Guidance for Industry (scroll down to page 2 - Other Information), the accepted percentages of success in hair re-growth in using Minoxidil, based on clinical studies is:
- 26% of the men reported moderate to dense re-growth and 33% had minimal re-growth; this was after four months of use.
- 19% of the women reported only moderate re-growth and 40% had minimal re-growth; this was after eight months of use.

You may also find the same data on percentages of success with Minoxidil at drugstore.com which retails Rogaine™ products. On their site, do a search for Rogaine. Click on Rogaine for Men. Then click the link for buying Rogaine for Men - one month supply. Scroll down the page about halfway to the section titled: "Indications" - Hair Regrowth Treatment for Men. Or click on Rogaine for Women after doing the search. Then click the link for buying Rogaine for Women - one month supply. Scroll down the page about halfway to the section titled: "Directions"- Other information.

Minoxidil must be used twice a day, every day, continuously

According to clinical studies by Rogaine™, Minoxidil must be used twice a day, every day, continuously. It works better on those who are younger and whose hair loss is recent, according to clinical studies by Pharmacia and Upjohn.

Moreover, clinical studies on Minoxidil also show that if you ever stop using it, your hair will soon fall out again (often within 3 to 4 months or even sooner) and you will look as if you had never used it. (click on the "fall out" link above and scroll down to "How long do I have to use Women's Rogaine?")

A potential Rogaine™ user contacted rogaine.com web site by email. This is the actual reply to the customer's question about the necessity of continuing to use Minoxidil (for the rest of one's life):

"Continued use of all Rogaine™ (Minoxidil) formulas is needed to maintain hair regrowth. If you stop using Rogaine™ (Minoxidil), the normal hair loss process will start again. You will probably lose your newly regrown hair within 3 to 4 months and will look the way you would have looked if you had never used Rogaine™. Just remember your results and success depends on proper application of Rogaine twice a day, every day, directly to the scalp."

Rogaine™ For Women
Only 2% Minoxidil Solution

Minoxidil solutions greater than 2% are not made available for women as using such a product can produce unwanted facial hairs to grow.

Known Potential
Side Effects of Using
the Drug Minoxidil
(According to the FDA)

rapid heart beat
chest pain
faintness (light-headedness)
sudden unexplained weight gain
water retention
swelling in the hands or feet
scalp irritation or redness
unwanted facial hair growth

Minoxidil is actually a blood pressure medication, known as a Vasodilator. It dilates blood vessels to treat high blood pressure. When applied topically to the scalp, it is still absorbed into the bloodstream and may affect an otherwise healthy individual who does not have high blood pressure and therefore has no need for such medication. Furthermore, it should not be used by people with certain medical conditions or who are taking certain medications.