Minoxidil Treatment for Alopecia Areata
Alopecia areata is a sudden hair loss disorder that is caused by a defensive reaction in a person’s immune system. The causes of the disease is unknown and cures for the disease do not currently exist. But a multitude of treatments are available for people who suffer from alopecia areata. One such treatment is minoxidil. Minoxidil can be obtained over the counter in many parts of the world.
Minoxidil has many uses in the medical community. One of its best know uses, is in the treatment of androgenic alopecia (male/female pattern baldness). Minoxidil works, in the treatment of androgenic alopecia, by extending the anagen phase of hair growth and increasing blood supply to hair follicles. But it can also be used to treat alopecia areata in the same manner. Minoxidil does not help in stopping the cause of alopecia areata but does help in stimulating hair growth. In North America minoxidil usually sells under the trade name Rogaine. Other parts of the world may have different brand names for minoxidil. Besides the brand name, minoxidil does the same thing no matter where is it purchased.
Effect of minoxidil
Minoxidil works by widening blood vessels. These types of drugs are called vasodilator medication. It helps by slowing down the falling out of hair and helps re-grow the hair lost. Minoxidil is also used for treating patients with high blood pressure. When it was discovered that minoxidil had the property of treating various forms of alopecia, it was commercialized into a drug that was a topical based treatment for hair loss. Now minoxidil is available in foam form. Researchers claim that the foam form of minoxidil is much more effective than the liquid based form of it.
The exact way in which hair re-growth is encouraged by minoxidil is not known. Some studies have suggested that minoxidil influences the hair growth through some sort of fundamental pathway or signal related to the follicular apparatus. There has also been evidence to indicate that there is a decrease in T lymphocytes noticeable, with treatment through minoxidil. But what is known is that minoxidil helps to treat alopecia areata by directly encouraging hair follicles to develop more fibre. Unlike other treatments for alopecia areata, where the effect is either related to the immune system or hormonal levels, minoxidil acts by encouraging cell division on epidermal cells.
Application of treatment
The application of the foam based minoxidil is very easy. The patient simply gives the can a shake to stir up all that is in the can. Next the patient should isolate and expose the affected alopecia areata area. Be sure to brush aside any underlying strands of hair. Hold the can just above the balded area, with the novel of the can pointing down towards the skin. Gently squeeze the can’s trigger and release a little bit of the foam onto the affected area. Gently massage the foam into the skin. Apply minoxidil regularly as directed by your physician or indicated on the label.
Result of treatment
Minoxidil is not known to be a permanent solution for alopecia areata. Its use is in the treatment of symptoms associated with alopecia areata, and does not address the root cause of the disorder. For some people, who use minoxidil, the alopecia areata affected areas will not see any kind of hair loss again, for some the patches of hair loss will occur again in the future, and for others only some hair may start to re-grow. In any event, the results of using minoxidil are mixed.
Currently solid statistical evidence, concerning the effectiveness of minoxidil on alopecia areata is lacking and the results of existing studies vary greatly. Greater divergences in success rate are also variant with different levels of concentration. For example, different studies have indicated that, a 2% concentration of minoxidil has been found to help re-grow hair anywhere in between 10% to 45% of cases. Some studies have also shown higher levels of concentration (between 2% and 6%) could prove to be much more effective in treating alopecia areata.
The re-growth of hair varies from patient to patient. But on average it should take about 12 weeks for initial hair-growth. While using minoxidil over a long period of time, if a patient stops using it abruptly, then the alopecia areata could re-develop in the patient. Continued application of minoxidil is needed for the treatment to be effective. The frequency of application depends on the individual patients own health, and is subject to the potency present in the minoxidil being used by the patient.
Results of treatments have been found to be even more effective when minoxidil is used in conjunction with other treatments. Such treatments can include the use of minoxidil and corticosteroids or minoxidil and contact sensitizers.
Side effects
Some of the side effects of minoxidil are itchiness in and around treated areas. There have been some known cases in which the patient has had an allergic reaction to minoxidil. Some of the other side effects of minoxidil are acne, irregular heartbeat, chest pains, headaches, or additional hair shedding among others. In any event it is best to consult your doctor as to the possible risks of any of these side effects occurring given your medical history.
Conclusion
The use of minoxidil in the treatment of alopecia areata is one of the more effective treatments options available for the condition. However use of minoxidil does not guarantee results in all people. The effectiveness of the treatment is subject to the patient’s own health and severity of their condition. To reduce the likelihood of side effects consult your physician or dermatologist concerning the suitability of minoxidil treatment for your alopecia areata. If used properly and proportionately, minoxidil can prove to be a very effective treatment for alopecia areata.