In the world of hair loss the name 'rogaine' is the same as connecting Wayne Rooney with football. 

It has been around for years and will more than likely be the product your doctor will advise you to get if you complain of thinning hair.  But in my opinion, it's the easy answer.  A doctor may not be the best person to go to but always a good one to start with if you want to speak to someone regarding male hair loss.  If you go to a consultant in a hair loss clinic they will advise you to sign up with them.

Rogaine was originally called Loniten, active ingredient being Minoxidil, and it was designed to treat high blood pressure.  You can laugh but remember, some of the world's best drugs were discovered by accident when a scientist was trying to develop a cure for something completey different.  During trials some men noticed that they were growing hair where for years they had been bald. 

More trials and experiments followed and it was found that it did indeed regrow hair in some patients.  The drug was re-branded as rogain and when it came to Europe it was renamed Regain.  You can also buy a rogain foam.

Over time things can change.  I remember the headache pill Syndol used to be prescription only.  Now you can buy it freely over the counter at your local pharmacy.  The same is said for rogain.  Nowadays you can buy rogain online but I warn you - be wary of buying online.  I'll explain more later on a separate page. 

Rogain is available in two strengths.  2% or 5%.  The 5% solution is obviously a lot stronger and can have a far better effect.  A problem most people find is that it was absorbed into the hair before reaching the scalp.  You can now buy rogain foam and rogain hair wash to tackle this problem.

Does Rogaine Work?

Let's make one thing clear before we go on.  There is no magic when it comes to re-growing your hair.  Results vary from person to person. 

No one really knows how rogain works.  Some say it breaks down the DHT under the scalp and encourages blood flow to the hair folicle but there are different theories.  Personally, if it works it works.  I couldn't care less how an engine is fixed together as long as my car gets me from A to B.  You'll read on various sites how it works but it's proven to work against male hair loss so why bother even checking up.  It works. 

Rogain Results

Don't be getting yourself into a flap when you don't see the bald spot disappearing after a few days use like most guys usually do.  Would you expect to go to the gym and see the weight fall off after two days?  Of course not.  It takes time, patience and dedication. 

Rogain can take up to 90 days before you see some positive results and up until then you will notice more  hair shedding than before.  Don't be alarmed.  This is normal.  It's just the rogain doing its work by helping the hairs that were already falling out.  After that you have to wait for your hair to grow back but even then, it will grow back weak and then shed again.  It will take several growth cycles before it grows back thick. 

And also like losing weight, you have to keep going to the gym to keep the weight off.  Rogain is the same.  It you stop using it, your re-grown hair will start to fall out again. 

Side Effects

It all depends how worried you are about this.  Every drug on the market today has side effects.  Rogain is no different.  I've listed the tree main side effects below.  Please note that I have never actually known anyone who has experienced these effects.

Low blood pressure

Dizziness

Chest pains