No results with Rogaine? Expert reveals hair growth hacks

Slow growth?

According to NYU Langone, more than 80% of men and “nearly half of women experience hair loss in their lifetime.”

Many of these rare measures turn to minoxidil. Commonly sold under the brand name Rogaine, Minoxidil was first used to treat high blood pressure, but is now administered topically or orally to treat hair loss.

“Rogaine is one of the most studied and well-tested current treatments for hair loss,” Dr. Michele Green, a board-certified dermatologist who specializes in treating skin-related issues, told The Post. “Minoxidil pushes hair into the growth phase of the hair growth cycle and restores inactive hair follicles.”

But what can be done when Minoxidil fails to promote and restore?

Dr. Ross Kopelman, a hair restoration surgeon in New York City, told The Post that while Minoxidil can be “transformative,” there are three main reasons why people don’t see results. First among them, impatience accompanied by inconsistency.

With minoxidil, hair growth usually occurs after the medication has been used for several months and lasts only as long as use continues.

“It’s important to manage expectations – Minoxidil takes time to work. It usually takes three to six months of continuous use to see significant improvement, and sometimes longer,” Kopelman said.

He noted that inconsistent application is another common cause of disappointing results.

For optimal growth, minoxidil should be applied directly to the scalp and used daily (or twice daily for the 5% solution).

And when it comes to preventing and repairing hair loss, how soon you start treatment is just as important as the treatment itself.

“If someone has significant thinning, where the follicles are already inactive, Minoxidil may not be as effective.”

According to Kopelman, not all patients will respond to minoxidil in the same way “due to genetic or hormonal factors.”

However, he assures that hope is not lost, although a multi-pronged approach may be necessary.

To increase the effectiveness of minoxidil, he recommends combining it with microneedling, “which can improve absorption and stimulate glandular activity.”

Kopelman emphasized the importance of scalp health, recommending scalp massage as an effective way to increase blood flow and promote a proper environment for hair growth. In addition, he noted the need to address scalp conditions such as dandruff as they can block the absorption of minoxidil.

“In some cases, I also suggest combining minoxidil with other treatments such as topical finasteride or tretinoin, but these should always be prescribed and monitored by a doctor,” he added.

Anti-aging guru Bryan Johnson swears by a three-pronged approach of red light therapy, microneedling and topical treatments to slow hair loss.

Meanwhile, research suggests that rosemary oil is as effective as minoxidil in treating baldness and can be combined with it to boost its gland-sparing effects. I

In terms of supplements, studies show that red ginseng extract can promote hair growth in cultured human hair follicles.