Hair loss? Minoxidil is the ingredient that really works for hair growth

During my two pregnancies, my hair was fuller than ever. It is true that your hair falls out a lot after having your child and breastfeeding. But that is hair you would have lost anyway during your pregnancy. Because of all those raging hormones in your body, your hair stays in place better and you don't lose it, while Mother Nature had planned it this way. You lose daily about 50 to 100 hairs, and during your pregnancy, that hardly happens. By the way, that sounds like a lot, right? Even if you haven't washed your hair for a few days or have worn it up often, the hair loss seems extreme in the days after, while it is just the accumulated daily loss. The season plays a big role:, in the fall, your hair falls out more often , while animals actually grow a thicker coat for winter during that period. Quite strange, isn't it? There are products that work against hair loss, but if you really think: this is too much and has been going on for a while? Then it is wise to consult a doctor or specialist., Shampoos and conditioners that guarantee to prevent hair loss?.

Opinions are divided on that. It mainly depends on the ingredients that a shampoo or conditioner contains; you need to look critically at that. An attractive advertising pitch on the front of your packaging says absolutely nothing. For example, the brand

Virtue has a special Alpha Keratin 60ku® in their products and that really works. This ingredient protects new hair from external damage, allowing it to grow instead of break. Hello, baby hairs. But minoxidil is also an ingredient we need to talk about. What is minoxidil actually?.

Minoxidil was originally developed for high blood pressure. By chance, doctors discovered that patients experienced fuller hair as a side effect; you can hardly have a better side effect, right? Since then, it has been on the market as a hair growth product and it is even the only ingredient scientifically proven to work against hereditary hair loss, also known as androgenetic alopecia.

Minoxidil stimulates blood circulation in the scalp, activating 'sleeping' hair follicles. This ensures that the dormant hair follicles are reawakened and enter the growth phase again. Simply put: you get more hair, thicker hair, and it stays better and stronger.

Does it really work, and for whom?.

Minoxidil works particularly well for women with hair loss or

a thinning hair due to hormonal changes, stress, or heredity. You can choose between 2% and 5% concentration, but the 5% variant is stronger and may cause a few more side effects. So it's better to start with the lower percentage; the higher one can also lead to hair growth in places you don't want, like on your face. And we don't want that. Important to know: it is not a one-day wonder. You need at least 3 to 6 months before you see a difference. If you stop using it, your hair can quickly return to how it was. So it's not a miracle cure, but it is a more reliable ingredient than the empty promises of shiny shampoos that don't really do much. Are there disadvantages?.

As with any active ingredient, side effects are possible. The most common are itching, a dry scalp, or mild irritation. In the beginning, you may even temporarily lose more hair (yes, really), but that is often a sign that the product is working: old hairs make way for new ones.

Always use it on a dry scalp, preferably in the evening before going to bed. And be consistent: minoxidil only works if you keep using it. Incorporate it into your daily routine, just like brushing your teeth and wearing SPF.

lotte van scherpenzeel laughing on the street with blonde hair.