Minoxidil Overview
Minoxidil was the first drug granted United States Food and Drug Administration approval as a treatment for hair loss back in 1988. The manufacturer of minoxidil, Upjohn, had been using the drug to treat high blood pressure and noticed one of the side effects was a regrowth of hair in some test subjects. Minoxidil was originally a prescription item and was sold in a 2 percent solution. In July, 1996, minoxidil became available as an over-the-counter drug. In 1998, minoxidil was available as a 5 percent solution, which has always been sold as an over-the-counter product.
Increased Circulation
The exact mechanism behind minoxidil's success is a bit of a mystery, even to those who worked on its development. When minoxidil was first released as a hair loss product, Upjohn spokesman John Ruane admitted the company wasn't exactly sure how it worked, although one employee believed it was due to the increased blood flow to the scalp region.
Blood Vessel Actions
The reason minoxidil was an effective drug for hypertension was its ability to dilate blood vessels. The same reactions were found in those who applied minoxidil topically for hair loss, which resulted in a change to the hair follicles. This change led to an increased rate of hair growth due to the larger size of the hair shaft.
Shorter Resting Cycle
Another factor in the success of minoxidil as a hair loss product is its ability to promote the growing phase of hair in the hair cycle by shortening the telogen---resting---phase of the hair growth cycle. The typical resting phase lasts between two and four months.
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