MedExpress

Should I be worried about hair loss?

For most people, hair loss is a normal part of the ageing process, driven by their genetics – inherited from parents, as well as overall lifestyle. The most common form of hair loss is pattern baldness which is more common in men but can also be seen in women.

However, there are types of hair loss that can indicate an underlying medical issue, such as rapid and unexplained hair loss or losing hair in patches or clumps. If you are experiencing hair loss like this, you should seek medical advice.

The majority of people who experience natural hair loss over time will also experience an emotional impact. This is a perfectly natural reaction to changes in personal appearance. The good news is there are products available which have been conclusively and scientifically demonstrated to slow and even reverse hair loss in some people – and one of these is Regaine® (minoxidil).

Regaine for men

Regaine is a product that contains an active ingredient called minoxidil. Although it is not known exactly how, minoxidil has been shown to stimulate renewed growth and activity in hair follicles.

The effects of Regaine are dose dependent, which means extra strength Regaine can increase the scale of regrowth vs. standard strength. Clinical studies have shown that Regaine extra strength can induce medically confirmed regrowth of hair in approximately 60% of men, after 48 weeks of treatment, with 35% of men experiencing dense or moderate regrowth. If you have no detectable improvements after a year of regular use, it is recommended that you stop using Regaine.

It is important to be aware that minoxidil takes time to work, and initially, some people may experience increased hair loss, as the hair follicles shift into a growth phase and shed existing hair. There is clear evidence that Regaine tends to work better in younger men who have been balding for a shorter period of time, but individual responses vary so age does not guarantee results or a poor experience.

Regaine should not be used by children, men over the age of 65 or women. You should also avoid using Regaine on areas of skin that are inflamed, irritated or painful.

As with all medicines, Regaine can cause unwanted side effects, such as headaches, rashes and chest pains. You should carefully consider the positives vs. the negatives and read the Patient Information Leaflet prior to using Regaine. If you experience side effects with Regaine, you should stop using it and seek medical advice.

Patient Information Leaflet: Regaine for Men Extra Strength: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/103/pil

Getting the most from Regaine

To get the best effects from Regaine, it should be used regularly and applied as described in the instructions – this will vary slightly depending on the product you purchase.

The effects of Regaine are not permanent and if you experience hair regrowth it is important to keep applying Regaine to maintain these changes. Anecdotal reports suggest that regrown hair will disappear 3-4 months after stopping treatment.

Did you know?

Stress can cause and accelerate natural hair loss and taking steps to minimise stress will likely increase the benefits of Regaine as well as improve your overall health.

Additional support for hair loss

In addition to Regaine, finasteride (an oral tablet) has been shown to reduce and reverse hair loss in some men.

Although difficult to disentangle, it is also highly likely that an improved diet, losing weight and reducing stress will all help reduce and reverse hair loss and may contribute to the effects of scientifically proven treatments such as minoxidil and finasteride.

Help from MedExpress

MedExpress is a UK-registered and regulated online doctor and pharmacy service where you may be able to access treatments including Regaine Extra Strength. Click here to view the range of treatments available from MedExpress: https://www.medexpress.co.uk/clinics/hair-loss/

REFERENCES

1. NHS UK. Hair loss. Available online: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hairloss/ Accessed May 2019

2. Regaine for Men Extra Strength. Summary of Product Characteristics. Available

online: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/103/smpc Accessed May 2019

3. Finasteride. Summary of Product Characteristics. Available online: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/6044/smpc Accessed May 2019