Written by: Timothy Sonniah

Hair loss is a common problem for both males and females; most people cannot explain why they lost their hair. Androgenetic alopecia is a condition whereby both males and females experience hair loss; this condition is chronic. It may lead to baldness if not treated as soon as one begins to experience hair loss (Ellis, Justine, and Sinclair.). Androgenetic alopecia affects individuals between their middle ages up to the ages of eighty to ninety years.

Hair is among the components of a human being.

In most cases, it boosts the appearance of a person; therefore, hair loss, in most cases, makes a person self-conscious. It perturbs the self-esteem and confidence of the person. The decrease in self-esteem in most cases results in loss of self-worth as one is not satisfied with his or her appearance, stress, and adverse circumstances could lead to anxiety and suicidal thoughts.

To prevent the above from occurring, most professionals always suggest the use of a vasodilator to treat Androgenetic alopecia (AGA). Minoxidil is a drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat Androgenetic alopecia and other conditions which lead to hair loss. Generally, Minoxidil acts as a stimulant to the dermal papilla cells and the epithelial cells responsible for hair growth in human beings.

However, as Minoxidil is among the most effective methods of preventing hair loss and promoting hair growth, there are several side effects associated with it, including itching and inflammation, among others (Aronson). The essay will discuss how Minoxidil attracts the hair follicles and promotes hair growth, positive and negative side effects of Minoxidil, the chemical composition of Minoxidil and its tests, the mechanism the drug uses in attacking hair follicles. 

Minoxidil prevents hair loss and promotes hair growth in both females who are experiencing premature baldness or partial baldness. It generally does this by stimulating hair growth through causing prolongation of anagen as well as stimulating the growth of hair follicles. When administered orally, Minoxidil Sulphate leads to the relaxation of vascular muscles and opens up potassium channels in the hair follicle.

Due to the piperidine-pyrimidine derivative, during the process of growth, the hair follicles take up a significant amount of time in the anagen phase; this increases the volume of terminal hair. In addition to this, increasing the anagen period promotes not only hair regrowth but also increases the thickness and length of the hair follicles.

Moreover, Minoxidil makes the telogen phase in the hair growth process shorter and then increases the anagen phase, the hair growth period. The drug concentration varies as the 2% solution is meant for women experiencing hair loss, while the 5% solution of Minoxidil is for men. In most cases, Minoxidil promotes hair growth. Individuals gently apply the drug solution on the areas with hair thinning and massage gently; this helps the drug reach the hair follicles faster, but effective one has to use the solution for over four months to see the results. 

Minoxidil solution is quite renowned for its use in promoting hair growth, treating pattern baldness in both males and females, and in treating hair loss. Constant use of Minoxidil increases the volume of hair and makes the hair shafts thick and more durable by increasing the anagen phase of hair growth and thus reducing the thinning of hair (Weiss, Virginia, and Dennis.).

However, there are several negative impacts associated with Minoxidil. Application of Minoxidil on irritated, sunburned, or damaged skin could lead to adverse implications; this could lead to excessive absorption of Minoxidil into the human body, which could lead to health complications and even fatality. 

Moreover, when used for a long time, Minoxidil causes the burning of the scalp, swelling of face and areas of application, skin rash, and numbness of feet, face and hands, flushing, and irregular heartbeats among others. 

Minoxidil is a piperidine-pyrimidine derivative that has a chemical structure of 2, 6-diamino-4-piperidinopyrimidine-1-oxide (C9H15N5O). When dissolved into a solution form, the Minoxidil solution consists of several active components, including water, propylene glycol, and ethanol (NCBI). These components serve as catalysts in the dissolving process of Minoxidil.

The propylene glycol (PG) is responsible for the delivery of Minoxidil into the hair follicle. However, propylene glycol often induces local irritation, which causes the formation of Minoxidil foam free of the propylene glycol.

Nonetheless, this foam also contains other compounds that are non-medicated, which include; Butylated Hydroxytoluene, cetyl alcohol, and stearyl alcohol. Moreover, Minoxidil foam penetrates the skin quickly and dries faster while spreading less on the peripheral region than the Minoxidil solution.

Being a vasodilator, Minoxidil leads to the dilation of blood vessels, which in turn allows more nutrients and oxygen to travel to the hair follicle. Consequently, more hair forms as the strength of the already grown hair are improved, and thus reducing thinning of the hair. Minoxidil also leads to hyperpolarization of cell membranes, which leads to sloughing off hair the telogen phase in hair growth; the hair is later replaced by darker, thicker, and stronger strands of hair, which do not break or thin out.

The drug promotes the life span and survival of dermal papillary cells, which are also referred to as the hair cells through activation of Akt, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Jin and Sung. ). Moreover, Minoxidil reduces the rate at which cells die and prevents their death by improving the ratio of BCl-2/Bax.

 In conclusion, Hair loss is a condition which affects both male and females in society. If not dealt with, the state could lead to a decrease in self-esteem, stress, and low confidence, and in adverse situations, it could lead to depression. Androgenetic alopecia is a condition whereby both males and females experience hair loss; this condition is chronic and may lead to baldness if not treated as soon as one begins to experience hair loss.

The state, in most cases, affected individuals from their middle ages up to their late eighties. There are cosmetic and medical methods of dealing with this condition. Minoxidil is a vasodilator drug that treats Androgenetic alopecia. It generally does this by stimulating hair growth by causing prolongation of anagen as well as stimulating the growth of hair follicles.

Minoxidil acts as a stimulant to the dermal papilla cells and the epithelial cells, which are the cells responsible for hair growth in human beings. The drug treats hypertension as it makes blood vessels dilate and lower the pressure. However, there are several adverse effects of Minoxidil, including the burning of the scalp, swelling of face and areas of application, skin rash, and numbness of feet, face and hands, flushing, and irregular heartbeats among others.

Minoxidil is a piperidine-pyrimidine derivative that has a chemical structure of 2, 6-diamino-4-piperidinopyrimidine-1-oxide (C9H15N5O). Unlike the solution Minoxidil (MS), the foam Minoxidil (MF) is more effective as the rate at which its active components deliver to the hair follicle is relatively higher compare to the standard Minoxidil solution.

Works Cited

Aronson, Jeffrey K., ed. “Meyler’s side effects of the drug.” the international encyclopedia of adverse drug reactions and interactions. (2015).

Ellis, Justine A., and Rodney D. Sinclair. “. “Male pattern baldness: current treatments, prospects.” Drug discovery today 13.17-18 (2008): 791-797.

Jin, Su-Eon, and Jong-Hyuk Sung. “Hair regeneration using adipose-derived stem cells.” Histology and histopathology 31.3 (2016): 249-256.

NCBI. “Minoxidil and its use in hair disorders: a review.” (n.d.). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6691938/.

Weiss, Virginia C., and Dennis P. West. “. “Topical minoxidil therapy and hair regrowth.” Archives of dermatology 121.2 (1985): 191-192.