How does Rogaine™ For Men, Rogaine™ For Women and Minoxidil 2% and 5% work?

5-Alpha-Reductase (5AR) is an enzyme in the body that is involved in DHT Metabolism, a process that converts the hormone testosterone into Di-Hydro-Testosterone (DHT). Research indicates that DHT is found not only within the hair follicle, but also at the root of the hair shaft (dermal papilla). It is the accumulation of DHT in the hair follicles and roots that is one of the primary causes of male and female pattern hair loss. The DHT causes the follicles to shrink in size and also creates a wax-like substance around the hair roots and has a negative impact on the health and life of the hair roots. It also causes the hairs in those follicles to grow shorter in length, thinner in diameter and weaker and lighter in color. Eventually those follicles may die and the hair shafts in them fall out. Learn more about DHT and its effects in causing male and female pattern hairloss and baldness.

 The negative effects of DHT on hair follicles and roots

Proper nutrition to the hair roots and follicles is critical in order to maintain strong, healthy hairs. A restricted blood supply to the hair roots (dermal papilla) prevents necessary proteins, vitamins and minerals from bringing nourishment needed to sustain life in those hairs. When there is a limited supply of blood to the hair roots and follicles, because of the increasing negative effects of DHT, the cells in the follicles and roots reproduce at a much slower rate. This causes the hair follicles to become smaller and thus shortens their growing stage (anagen phase) and or lengthens their resting stage (telogen phase). Thus the hairs in those affected follicles also become weaker, smaller and lighter in color. Eventually those hair roots and follicles die and the hairs in them fall out.

One of the reasons that Minoxidil-based products are generally not effective in stopping hair loss is that Minoxidil does not block the harmful effects of DHT in the scalp and hair follicles. Minoxidil is a blood pressure medication, so when it is applied to the scalp topically, it simply dilates blood vessels in the scalp. Scientists and researchers are not exactly sure what happens next, except that somehow Minoxidil may sustain (keep alive) the hair follicles for some additional period of time. The problem is that meanwhile, the harmful DHT is still being produced in the body and still getting into the scalp and hair follicles and causing the hair to become thinner and thinner and eventually fall out.

Minoxidil is the active ingredient in Rogaine™ for men and women. It is also used in other hair loss treatment products, such as Avacor™ and Hair Advantage™. Many users of Minoxidil do not achieve the results they expect from using such products. Here is one of the possible reasons.

According to the maker of Rogaine™, Minoxidil only works on what doctors call the VERTEX area (top middle area) of the scalp. (You may research this further on the Rogaine web site ( www.rogaine.com ) Then click on the link "How Rogaine Works".)

According to clinical research, Minoxidil does not work effectively or at all on the receding hair line area in the front of the scalp where there is already noticeable hair loss. Likewise, it also does not work effectively or at all on the back area of the scalp.

These are the first two areas that most men experience pattern hair loss. See how increased hair loss over time follows a particular pattern, as shown in the Norwood hair loss chart. Women tend to get thinning hair throughout their hair or various patchy spots of hair loss.

Available in over the counter formulations, Minoxidil contains as much as 60% rubbing alcohol, which dries the scalp. Research has shown that when it dries on your hair, it actually weakens and damages the hair shafts themselves, making them dry and brittle. As a result, some Minoxidil cannot be effectively absorbed into the hair follicles. The hairs which are above your scalp are not living cells and so once they are damaged, they cannot be repaired.

 Compare the difference between how Minoxidil works and how HairGenesis™ works

 Minoxidil dilates blood vessels, but HairGenesis™ blocks DHT from harming the follicles

Take a look at the picture above on the left. There are two sebaceous glands, one on each side of the hair follicle. Sebum oils are secreted from these glands to lubricate the hair for smooth upward growth and also give the hair shafts their luster and shine. But if the hairs are not strong and healthy (due to the effects of accumulated DHT in them), the sebum oils also accumulate and harden inside the follicles. This then further blocks the normal growth of the already thinning and weakened hairs.

It is this build up of sebum oils that also blocks some hair loss treatment products, such as Minoxidil, from getting into the follicles to help. Consequently, the Minoxidil cannot effectively penetrate past the sebum and reach the hair root (dermal papilla) where the hair growth actually starts from. The result is that the minoxidil (containing as much as 60% alcohol) stays on the surface of your scalp, and in some instances, causes an irritation to the scalp itself, along with itching and drying of the hair shaft. This in part explains why some people experience these side effects when using hair loss treatment products containing Minoxidil.

DHT in the hair follicles also creates a wax-like substance around the roots. This effectively constricts the flow of blood containing vital oxygen and nutrients to those roots. Since Minoxidil dilates the blood vessels, whatever amount eventually does reach the roots does not remove the on-going problem of DHT build-up and the wax-like substance around the roots.

 Links To Other Hair Loss Treatment Products Which Use Minoxidil

• Read about Rogaine which relies on the drug Minoxidil

• Read about Avacor which relies on the drug Minoxidil

• Read about Hair Advantage which relies on the drug Minoxidil

• Look at the Norwood hair loss diagrams to see what stage your hairloss is at