Minoxidil has been number one selling over the counter hair loss remedy for many years. It was initially available by prescription only, but once it became widely available over the counter and the price dropped to around $30 per month, and it became readily available for many people who before could not afford the treatment.

But how does minoxidil work? Does it really work or is it another balding or thinning hair treatment that promises the world, while delivering very little in the way of results? All good questions worth exploring.

How does minoxidil work is a question best answered by first gaining a better understanding of the primary hair loss condition it is recommended to treat.

This condition is androgenetic alopecia, is better known to main street language as male or female pattern baldness. This condition has a genetic component that creates vulnerability to both men and women, and a hormonal component that actually does the damage. For those genetically predisposed to the condition, when the hormone testosterone comes in contact with the hair mediating enzyme 5 alpha reductase type two, residing in the hair cell, the potent hair loss hormone dihydrotestosterone or DHT is formed. DHT then binds with receptors deep within the hair follicle. Over the course of a couple of hair replacement cycles (4 to 8 years) an excess buildup of DHT begins to occur leading to follicle damage and eventually follicle death. Dihydrotestosterone actually shrinks the hair follicle so dramatically that new growth becomes impossible.

The more follicles involved the greater the balding.
One of the problems in reversing androgenetic alopecia is that by the time balding is seen over 20 percent of all the scalp follicles are either damaged or dying and once you notice hair loss it is best to start the treatment and reverse the damage and to stop the damage currently done

So how does minoxidil work? What we know is that topical minoxidil is the most effective treatment against male and female pattern baldness, therefore we know that it counteracts the above described occurrences. Some experts agree they are not sure exactly how the product is able to slow and in some cases reverse androgenetic alopecia, but go on to say "that it is believed that topical minoxidil when applied twice a day enlarges damaged follicles, stimulates dormant hair growth, and extends the shortened growth cycle."

The real news here when trying to explain how does minoxidil work is to emphasize the fact that it works well in cases where protecting remaining hair is the goal. On the other hand, if the goal is to restore scalp coverage when advanced balding is the culprit, then the results are generally poor.

What Next? There are currently a handful of hair re-growth products (specially formulated for both men and women) which have been proven effective both in blocking harmful hormones and bringing the all important dead hair follicles back to life. These specially formulated treatments can be used both as a preventative tool, starting before hair loss becomes severe, or after loss of hair has become noticeable.

Whatever the level of balding or thinning you are experiencing these products could be just what is needed to overcome this latest life challenge. But the real key to preventing and regrowing hair loss is to start the treatments when you first notice your hair falling out