Minoxidil Alternatives: What Can I Take to Boost Hair Growth and Density?

If you suffer from hair loss, you may have heard of minoxidil or Rogaine®. It is one of the best-known topical treatments for hair loss and can be a great solution for some people.

However, it is not the only option. Minoxidil can cause a variety of side effects, and for some people, over-the-counter and gentler products or even oral options are more appropriate. Here, we will review some Rogaine/minoxidil alternatives, including vitamins and minerals, other topical serums, other medications, and lifestyle changes.

First, let’s take a look at what minoxidil actually is.

What is minoxidil?

Minoxidil is a prescription medication that is applied directly to the scalp to stimulate hair growth in men and women suffering from certain types of baldness. In the United States, it is also known as Rogaine. According to the Cleveland Clinic, experts are not entirely sure why the drug works, but we seem to know that hair only grows when you take the drug and stops growing when you stop taking it. 1

Other possible side effects of minoxidil include itching or rash, burning sensation on the scalp, facial hair growth, facial swelling, or possible increased hair loss. Less common but more serious side effects may occur if too much of the drug is absorbed through the skin, such as blurred vision, chest pain, dizziness, fainting, flushing, irregular heartbeat, or rapid weight gain. 1

Vitamins and Minerals

Given the potential for side effects, it is important to note that minoxidil is a strong prescription drug that should only be taken under medical supervision. If you are looking for a less risky Rogaine/Minoxidil alternative, we recommend starting with vitamins and minerals that have been shown to work.

According to Harvard Health, the following vitamins and minerals have been shown to improve hair2:

Vitamin A

Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)

Vitamin B3 (niacin)

Vitamin B7 (biotin)

Vitamin B9 (folate)

Vitamin B12

Vitamin C

Vitamin D

Vitamin E

Iron

Selenium

Zinc

Other studies show that ingredients like saw palmetto powder, horsetail powder, collagen, pantothenic acid, and essential amino acids like L-arginine, L-cysteine, L-methionine, and L-tyrosine can also help promote hair growth. 2, 3,4,5,6

You can get many vitamins and minerals through food. For example, vitamin C is found in berries, citrus fruits, and certain vegetables; B vitamins are found in meat, dairy products, grains, and various vegetables. 7 However, it’s difficult to get all the vitamins you need in optimal doses through diet alone—and it’s nearly impossible to get things like saw palmetto and horsetail powders.

That’s where nutritional supplements can help. Carefully formulated with precise doses of each ingredient, Foundation Skincare’s UnTangled dietary supplement has been shown to promote hair growth in a dose of two capsules per day. Unlike medications such as minoxidil, it does not cause initial hair loss and has no serious side effects.

Topical Treatments and Serums

As mentioned earlier, minoxidil is a prescription topical medication for hair loss, and when it comes to hair loss serums, the first thing that comes to mind is often Rogaine/Minoxidil. However, some people prefer over-the-counter medications.

Foundation Skincare’s Hair Serum is a topical product that nourishes hair follicles and contains ingredients such as apple stem cells, olive leaf extract, Stimucap, and more that are proven to promote hair growth. Patients who used the hair serum saw reduced hair loss, more hair growth, and improved hair density after just three months of use.

For best results, we recommend combining the UnTangled dietary supplement with a hair serum. This should address the problem directly from within the hair follicle.

Prescription and Over-the-Counter Medications

According to the Mayo Clinic, there are only a few major types of hair loss medications available in the United States. 8 These include:

Minoxidil (Rogaine): Rogaine/Minoxidil is a prescription medication. It is usually applied twice daily in foam or shampoo form while the hair is still damp. At least six months of treatment are needed to prevent further hair loss and promote hair growth. If it helps, you must continue taking the medication indefinitely to maintain the effects. 8

Finasteride (Propecia): This prescription medication for men is taken daily. After ingestion, hair loss may slow and new hair may begin to grow. As with minoxidil, you must continue taking it indefinitely to maintain the effects. Side effects may include decreased libido, decreased sexual function, and an increased risk of prostate cancer. 8

Spironolactone (Carospir/Aldactone): This medication was originally developed to treat high blood pressure and heart failure. However, studies have shown that it may also be effective in treating female pattern hair loss or androgenetic alopecia in women. 9

Oral dutasteride (Avodart): This prescription medication prevents the body from converting testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), an androgen that causes hair loss in both men and women. This medication is only used “off-label” to treat hair loss, meaning it’s not officially indicated for that purpose. 11

Lifestyle Adjustments

To truly address your hair loss in a comprehensive, long-term way, you’ll need to reconsider any lifestyle choices that are negatively impacting your hair. Some of the things we know can negatively impact your hair health (not to mention your overall health) include:

Smoking

Amount of alcohol consumed

Unhealthy diet

Too little movement

Nutritional deficiencies

Stress

Lack of sleep

Extreme weather conditions

Exposure to toxic chemicals

If you suffer from these issues on a regular basis, you need to address them first to get to the root of your hair loss problem. Additionally, your hair care routine should be gentle, especially if you suffer from hair loss.

When to see a professional

If your hair loss is sudden, patchy, or more severe than usual, you should see a doctor. Sudden hair loss can sometimes be a sign of an underlying condition that needs treatment.

Minoxidil or Rogaine® may be a good solution for some people, but it’s not the only solution. Whichever option you choose, we recommend talking to your doctor first to make sure you’re not at risk for side effects or drug interactions.

DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life. What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin? Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition. Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes. If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider. What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin? Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity. Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C. Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post. Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster. This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster. While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin. It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin. Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning? Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance. You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather. Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.

Related Articles

Ad Blocker Detected