Rogaine for Hair – Introduction, Side Effects and Herbal Alternative
Abstract
Hair is seen as an extremely important component of one’s look and appearance. It can surely make or break one’s look. This is why men as well as women desire full and beautiful hair regardless of their age and social background. They also try a variety of hair products and switch to one product from another but it is little known that new and broadly marketed hair products can be full of chemicals and can have many long lasting side effects. Such a product is Rogaine which got popular worldwide at once but is now said to have side effects. Herbal and safe alternatives are available. This article offers natural and herbal alternatives to synthetic hair care products.
Introduction
Rogaine is a hair products brand name which has gained popularity due to its promises and claims that it can grow hair in men as well as women with baldness and thinning of hair. It is a chemically prepared medicine which is available as a solution and as foam. It is said that it can prevent hair thinning by stimulating the hair follicles inside the scalp. As hair grows in cycles and by the end of each cycle the hair becomes thinner, rogaine is suggested to be applied as soon as thinning becomes visible. It is also said that it can activate the inactive hair follicles and also increase the hair protein so that the growth phase of hair can be lengthened. It is also said by manufacturers that if use is stopped then hair loss will occur again and even the new hair that has recently grown, will fall.
Main ingredients and usage
The major constituent of rogaine is minoxidil which is formulated as a foamy solution. It is to be applied topically on the scalp. Chemically, minoxidil is a vasodilator drug i.e. it causes widening of blood vessels. The exact process by which minoxidil promotes growth of hair is not known. It is not able to treat sudden hair loss caused without any family history of baldness. It is also not recommended for women suffering from hair fall just after giving birth, and people younger than 18 years of age. Usage: wash and pat dry the hair. Fill the applicator dropper with 1 ml of solution and divide the hair into partitions so that the medication can be applied uniformly. On applying to all areas where hair thinning is visible, gently rub the scalp. Let the medication and the hair dry completely. It doesn’t have to be rinsed or washed. It is left in and usual styling of hair is carried on. Wash the hands thoroughly after application.
People having scalp irritation after using rogaine, should discontinue immediately. It is not to be used soon after dyeing the hair or treating them with chemicals during straightening, rebonding or perming. It should only be used on hair and scalp, and not on any other part of the body. Only the prescribed quantity should be applied. It should not be applied to the scalp if it is irritated, peeled or sunburned because in this way the medication can get absorbed in the body and cause serious complications. It is to be continued for a minimum of three months to see results. Also, it is very important to note that men and women should use rogaine formulations specifically meant for their gender.
Disadvantages and Side Effects
There are too many products available in the market that promise to grow hair. It has become difficult to choose the most suitable product. Sometimes the same product may work for some people and for others it can bring side effects. This is especially true for products that are chemically manufactured. Such products are bound to bring at least a few side effects.
In order to choose a product suitable for use we have to look at both its advantages and disadvantages. In the case of Rogaine the disadvantages seem to be more significant than the advantages.
- The growth has only been observed under clinical and controlled conditions
- Results worsen if medication is discontinued
- Application and maintenance is not easy
- It causes itching
- Acne appears where it has been applied
- Inflammation and redness appear on the scalp
- Swelling if the face has also been reported
- Some people have even reported further hair loss
Uncommon side effects
- Abnormal and irregular heart rate
- Dizziness and lightheadedness
- Swelling of the limbs along with the face
- Numbness in fingers and toes
- Unexpected weight gain
It is recommended that for little benefit one shouldn’t fall for chemical treatments which have so many side effects.
Herbal remedies for Hair Care by Planet Ayurveda
Planet Ayurveda manufactures pure herbal formulations that are used as medications and tonics worldwide. These formulations are carefully sourced from authentic texts on Ayurveda written in ancient India thousands of years ago. The formulations are chemical free and additive free and thus safe for consumption by people of all ages and individual conditions. The products are suitable for people with all dietary preferences and restrictions since these are completely plant-based, halal and completely organic. A combination has been created by experts at Planet Ayurveda for ayurvedic management of Hair and Scalp Conditions.
Hair Care Pack
Hair care pack is developed for complete care of hair and scalp.
- Go Richh Protein Shampoo
- Gleaming Skin Hair Nails Formula
- Hair Growth Formula
- Go Richh hair Conditioner
- Go Richh Hair Oil
Product Description
1. Go Richh Protein Shampoo
This shampoo is made up of many herbs such as Jatamansi (Nardostachys jatamansi) along with pure soybean extractwhich moisturize hair and prevent breakage due to excess dryness.
Usage: Apply a coin sized amount to wet hair and lather. Use more if required, and then rinse.
2. Gleaming Skin Hair Nails Formula
This capsule is made of valuable herbs such as Manjishtha (Rubia cordifolia), Ghritkumari (Aloe vera), etc. These herbs together help prevent breakage of hair and restore lustre in them.
Usage: Consume two capsules daily with regular water after meals.
3. Hair Growth Formula
This combination of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Bhumiamla (Phyllanthus niruri), Bhringraj (Eclipta alba) etc. is an excellent formulation for growth of new hair follicles.
Usage: Consume two capsules daily with regular water after meals.
4. Go Richh hair Conditioner
It is a blend of precious ingredients such as sweet almond (Prunus dulcis) and walnut oil (Juglans regia) that give the hair protection from external irritants.
Usage: Apply generously to the hair starting at the roots and gradually moving towards the ends. Leave for around five minutes and rinse.
5. Go Richh Hair Oil
It is a preparation of Palash seed (Butea monosperma), Indrayan seed (Citrullus colocynthis) and Malkangni oil (Celastrus paniculatus) by ayurvedic decoction techniques. It
Usage: apply around 10-15 ml of oil all over the head and massage gently. Leave it in the hair for a day, then wash.
Conclusion
Many new products keep flooding the market especially in the beauty industry of which hair care is a part. One should not try any new products on hair just based on its marketing but should wait for genuine reviews from people after using it. If you already have hair problems then you should definitely not fall into the trap of chemically manufactured newly marketed products. Instead, using herbal medicines that have no side effects can help preserve your hair for longer and can also treat head and hair problems like itching, dryness and breakage. Hair Care pack from Planet Ayurveda is safe and made of valuable herbs just as valuable as your hair.
