How to Use Minoxidil (Rogaine)

Has your hair seemed thinner in back, and you want to take care of that? Minoxidil may be a possible solution but with several, potentially severe side effects. Rogaine is one of the brand names for the drug minoxidil, which is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with several post launch warnings to regrow hair in men with hereditary male pattern baldness and to help hair growth in women with thinning hair with certain health warnings. Application is quick and easy, and we'll show you what's involved. Read on!

How to Tell if You're Going Bald

Is it your imagination, or is it starting to look thinner up top? What's all that hair doing in the drain filter? You used to look like one of the Beatles during their heyday and now it looks like you can actually see your scalp! Hair thinning is common, as well as patterns of baldness. There are different kinds of baldness, and there are some clear signs that you may be going bald. Don't worry though. There are ways to treat and manage baldness if you identify you are balding.

Evaluating Hair Loss

1. Take a good hard look at your head in the mirror

Just because you see hair on your pillow or in the shower drain, doesn't mean you're going bald. Look at the hair on your head. Receding hair lines may be a sign you're "going bald". Patchy hair loss may be associated with other causes. It is important to fully evaluate these other possible causes, as hair loss can be indicators of other health problems.

Trying More-Conventional Hair Loss Treatments

1. Try 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors

The main drug treatment for men’s hair loss are the 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors Proscar and Propecia, which are trade names for finasteride. 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors are anti-androgens and block their activity on hair follicles to prevent male and female pattern baldness.

Treating Hair Loss with Natural Approaches Part II

6. Increase your intake of omega-3 fatty acids

Omega-3 fatty acids used on the scalp have been shown to increase the numbers of hair strands. Increasing the amounts of omega-3 fatty acids in your diet may be useful for hair loss. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in: