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Seeking for the best minoxidil alternatives? Heaven has smiled upon you today, because you’ve found them.
Minoxidil has come to the aid of many in terms of hair growth success, this hair-stimulant has for ages helped men who couldn’t grow a strand of hair grow healthy hair and beard, thus restoring their confidence.
This scientific-proven and research-backed ingredient has been the solace behind so many men’s confidence by tackling hair growth issues suchlike, receding hairline, hair loss, bald hair, patchy beard, beard loss and inability to grow a beard, this has put minoxidil at an undisputable position as the best hair growth remedy.
But due to side-effects that comes with minoxidil makes it unsuitable for everyone, especially those who have underlying medical conditions such as heart problems and allergies.
It’s highly recommended that people with heart problems should desist from using minoxidil, as minoxidil can cause poor heart function or worsen existing heart problems. One of the most common minoxidil side effects is increased heart rate, this happens because It’s actually lowering blood pressure and in turn the body increases heart rate to compensate.
Although these side effects may stop as you continue using the treatment, but should incase you keep experiencing persistent side effects while using minoxidil, it’s best recommended that you should stop treatment and see a doctor.
Therefore, if you’re experiencing minoxidil side effects, and wish to use a minoxidil alternative for hair or beard growth, then you’re on the right track. I have detailed down the best minoxidil alternatives for people who cannot use minoxidil.
However, do know that these minoxidil alternatives aren’t as effective as compared to minoxidil but sure does the job for stimulating and improving hair growth. Keep reading to learn more.
Best Minoxidil Alternatives.
1. Micro-needling.
Micro-needling is the process of using a handheld device called a derma roller (which is covered with microneedles) to puncture the outer layer of the skin, thus creating a controlled-micro piercings on the outer layer of the skin (which does not cause actual damage to the outer layer of the skin), but in turn stimulates healthy blood flow which nourishes the hair follicles and improves hair growth on the applied area.
When a derma roller is rolled on the skin, it stimulates healthy blood flow (which is responsible for healthy hair growth) and also stimulates collagen production too.
According to a 2021 review, it was discovered that microneedling may be more effective at increasing hair growth than minoxidil. However, using minoxidil and microneedling together was more effective than microneedling alone.
Derma rollers comes in different needle sizes, such as, 0.2 – 0.3mm, 0.5 – 0.1mm, 1.5 – 2.0mm, and the best derma roller needle size for hair and beard growth is between 0.2 millimeter and 0.5 millimeter, which are the best to increase the blood flow and collagen production that drives hair growth.
A derma roller can be used alone to improve hair growth and can as well be used together with other applicable hair-stimulating ingredients for a more effective hair growth result. Click here to shop for derma rollers.
How To Use A Derma Roller.
Start by disinfecting your derma roller for 3-5 minutes by letting it soak in isopropyl alcohol.
Then cleanse the affected part you wish to use this treatment on, using a gentle cleanser.
Begin the derma rolling process by rolling your derma roller over the skin area you want to treat. Pull the skin taut with your free hand, while you roll forwards and backwards over the area to be treated.
Roll 8-10 times in each direction: vertically, horizontally and diagonally (forwards and back equals two rolls). Apply a bit of pressure to allow the needles to penetrate the skin to their full length. Lift the derma roller slightly after each roll – this will ensure that the needles create new micro-channels in the skin rather than going over the same ones repeatedly.
2. Peppermint Essential Oil.
Peppermint essential oil has proven to be a minoxidil alternative due to its ability to increase blood circulation when massaged into the scalp or skin, thanks to its richness in menthol which has shown to increase blood flow to the area where it is applied, due to its cool sensational effect on the skin.
A study in Microvascular Research found that a 4% menthol solution caused blood vessels to widen, which increases blood flow. According to experts, healthy blood circulation promotes more hair growth in the affected area.
Another research study published in Toxicological Research, reports that peppermint oil solution promotes hair growth. This puts peppermint essential oil as a close substitute to minoxidil when it comes to stimulating and promoting healthy hair growth due to its ability to induce healthy blood flow in the skin.
The Handcraft brand has a 100% pure, unadulterated and FDA-approved peppermint essential oil. Click here to shop. Or here.
How To Apply.
Mix several drops of peppermint essential oil with any carrier oil of your choice, then massage into your hair scalp or skin. You can as well add some drops into your hair conditioner or shampoo.
3. Rosemary Essential Oil.
Rosemary essential oil not only boosts hair growth but also improves hair thickness thanks to its ability to improve cellular generation.
According to one study, rosemary oil performed as well as 2% minoxidil, but with less scalp itching as a side effect.
Rosemary essential oil also contains anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and anti-septic properties which wards off scalp infections.
Maple Holistics brand has a premium high quality Therapeutic grade 100% pure undiluted rosemary essential oil. Click here to shop.
How To Apply.
Mix several drops with any carrier oil of your choice, then massage into your hair scalp or skin. You can as well mix several drops into shampoo or conditioner.
4. Finasteride.
An FDA-approved hair loss treatment, often regarded as a close rival to minoxidil which puts it on the list of minoxidil alternatives.
Finasteride is an FDA-approved medication used to treat hair loss, due to male pattern baldness. This medication works by decreasing the amount of a natural body hormone (DHT). This inhibits the process of follicle-shrinking, allowing hair to become thicker and fuller.
Decreasing the amount of DHT leads to increased hair regrowth and slower hair loss. Hair growth on other parts of the body is not affected by finasteride.
In a large-scale clinical trial published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, researchers found that men who used finasteride to treat male pattern baldness experienced a clinically significant increase in their average hair count over a period of two years.
At the beginning of the study, the men had an average hair count of 876 hairs per square inch of balding vertex scalp.
After two years of treatment with finasteride, this increased to an average of 1,014 hairs per square inch, or approximately 16% more hair per inch of skin.
The men that took part in the study reported that finasteride increased new hair growth and improved the general appearance of their hair. Click here to shop for Finasteride.
How To Use Finasteride.
Finasteride is taken orally. For hair loss, the usual dose is 1mg, taken once a day. You will usually take finasteride for a long time. You may need to take it for several months or years.
5. Biotin.
Although there isn’t enough research to definitively state that biotin can help grow hair. But biotin has been shown to help with preventing balding and hair loss, which makes it a good addition to other hair-stimulating ingredients for more effective results.
In fact, biotin is primarily used for alopecia which is a condition that causes hair loss in all sexes.
Biotin is a water-soluble essential B vitamin, (vitamin B7). It’s an enzyme responsible for hair, skin, and nail health and it also stimulates keratin synthesis.
A biotin deficiency can lead to thinning and weakening of the hair, therefore oral intake of biotin will help promote healthy hair growth as well as healthy nail and skin. Click here to shop for biotin.
How To Use Biotin.
Biotin can either be taken orally or applied topically. When taken by mouth, biotin is likely safe for most people when taken in doses up to 300 mg daily for up to 6 months. But it is more commonly used in lower doses of 2.5 mg daily.
When applied to the skin, biotin is likely safe for most people when applied in cosmetic products that contain up to 0.6% biotin.
In Conclusion.
Minoxidil remains the most effective treatment for hair loss and hair growth due to the numerous scientific and research-backed evidence backing it up.
However, due to the unfortunate side effects that comes with it makes it unsuitable for everyone, especially individuals with underlying heart problems.
Therefore, switching to minoxidil alternatives is best recommended and results will still be achieved, but not as effective as compared with minoxidil.
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