Regaine (Minoxidil) and male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia)
What kind of baldness (alopecia) can Regaine (Minoxidil) help?
Regaine is a licensed medicine for the treatment of men with male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) to increase hair growth and prevent further hair loss. Regaine for men is licensed for the use in men between the ages of 18 and 65 years. Regaine for women is licensed for the use in men between the ages of 18 and 65 years
How many men suffer with male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia)?
Male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) is the most common form of hair loss in men, occurring in 30% of men by the age of 30, and 50% of men by the age of 50. In the year 2000 it was estimated that 6.5 million men were losing their hair.
What are the causes of male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia)?
In male pattern baldness or androgenetic alopecia the way hair grows changes. The affected hairs become thinner and lighter in colour. Eventually some hairs become impossible to see making you look bald and some hair follicles actually cease to work at all.
Some men are genetically at risk of male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia). In these men, hormones in the blood supply to the scalp causes each hair to grow for a shorter length of time, and this creates the thinning and light hair. Over a number of hair growth cycles, this results in the thin, pale hair that we see with male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia).
If left untreated, male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) will tend to get worse with time. This will happen at different rates for different people but will tend to follow the seven stages shown below.
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Why does male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) matter?
Despite being a very common condition male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) can have a serious effect on the sufferer. Male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) can be associated with a poor body image, make people feel old and unattractive and in general have low self-esteem. This leads to a greater likelihood of depression and other psychological problems. In general first impressions are very important and having male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) can strongly affect whether or not a man perceives himself as attractive to others, and studies show that this perception can be correct as male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) can affect men's perceived sexual attractiveness.
Treatment of male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) with Regaine (Minoxidil)
Regaine is the only over-the-counter treatment in the UK that has been clinically proven to help prevent further hereditary hair loss, showing success in 4 out of 5 men. For some people it even reverses the process, resulting in hair re-growth. Regaine is a liquid containing the active ingredient Minoxidil. It should be applied to the scalp twice a day.
How does Regaine (Minoxidil) work?
Regaine works by increasing the supply of blood and nutrients to your hair follicles, helping to strengthen existing hair and stimulate secondary growth. This process produces thicker, longer, more-visible hair.
It may take twice daily applications for 2 months or more before evidence of hair growth can be expected. If hair re-growth occurs, twice daily applications of Regaine are necessary for continued hair growth. Anecdotal reports indicate that re-grown hair may disappear three to four months after stopping Regaine application and the balding process will continue.
Users should discontinue treatment if there is no improvement after one year
Does Regaine (Minoxidil) always work?
In a 48 week trial of Regaine Extra Strength for Men, around 60% of the patients experienced an increased scalp coverage after 48 weeks treatment with Regaine for Men Extra Strength as defined by re-growth of hair. Of these, around 35% treated with Regaine for Men Extra Strength experienced dense or moderate re-growth. In addition 30% of patients who received Regaine for Men Extra Strength were adjudged to have no change between the photographic assessments of hair growth.
Stabilisation of hair loss (expressed both as re-growth of hair and no continuation of hair loss) can therefore be expected in about 4 out of 5 of patients using Regaine for Men Extra Strength.
Regaine (Minoxidil) side effects
Regaine has been shown to be safe for most patients and has limited side effects. This is why it is available without a prescription in the UK.
Is Regaine (Minoxidil) for everyone?
If you have heart disease, angina or you are taking medication for blood pressure, you should check with your Doctor before using Regaine.
Regaine is for external use only. Do not apply to areas of the body other than the scalp
Hands should be washed thoroughly after applying the solution. Inhalation of the spray mist should be avoided.
Regaine solution contains alcohol, which will cause burning and irritation of the eye. In the event of accidental contact with sensitive surfaces (eye, abraded skin and mucous membranes) the area should be bathed with large amounts of cool tap water.
Regaine contains propylene glycol, which may cause skin irritation.
Some patients have experienced changes in hair colour and/or texture with Regaine
Some consumers reported increased hair shedding upon initiation of therapy with Regaine for Men Extra Strength. This temporary increase in hair shedding generally occurs two to six weeks after beginning treatment and subsides within a couple of weeks. If shedding persists for more than 2 weeks, users should stop using Regaine for Men Extra Strength and consult their doctor.
Users should stop using Regaine for Men Extra Strength if they experience chest-pain, tachycardia, faintness, dizziness, sudden unexplained weight gain, swollen hands or feet or persistent redness or irritation of the scalp. Rare cases of hypotension have been reported.
How do I get Regaine (Minoxidil)?
Regaine is available from registered Pharmacies in the UK.
Highly convenient and embarrassment free and supply of Regaine (Minoxidil)
For many men with male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia), going to the pharmacy represents an embarrassing hurdle which some may not overcome.
Pharmacy2U offers one option to avoid this hurdle. Pharmacy2U is an NHS contracted, fully registered pharmacy that specialises in national home delivery of medicines, including the common treatments for male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia). Pharmacy2U offers patients a professionally controlled and discreet service. All medicines are conveniently delivered in plain packaging to your chosen delivery address, so there is no need to go into a pharmacy. Medicines are dispatched on the same day the order is received at Pharmacy2U.
Please click here to place an order for Regaine from Pharmacy2U.
Ensure that you do not pay too much
Big differences in the prices of Regaine can exist depending on where you buy it from. This means that it is important for you to find the best price available to you.
Highly competitive prices are available at Pharmacy2U Ltd. Click here for details.
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