Raechele Cochran Gathers, MD
Rogaine®, an over-the-counter medicine containing the active ingredient minoxidil, may help with regrowth of thin edges.
What is Rogaine®
Rogaine® is a topical hair growth medicine. It is applied to the scalp in areas of thinning or balding hair. It was FDA approved in the 1980’s, but initially required a prescription from your doctor. In the 1990’s Rogaine® went over-the-counter, meaning you can buy it without a prescription. Rogaine® is still just FDA approved for patterned hair loss, like male and female pattern balding, but it is often recommended by physicians in the treatment of thin edges and other types of hair loss too.
The ingredient in Rogaine® that helps with hair loss is called minoxidil. In addition to Rogaine®, there are many other similar hair growth treatments that contain minoxidil. A popular one that many people use is Nioxin.
How Rogaine® Works
Scientists are not 100% sure of exactly how Rogaine® works to grow your hair. They think that minoxidil causes the blood vessels in your scalp to widen, allowing more oxygen and nutrients to get to your hair follicles and spur them into growing hair. Read more about Rogaine® and minoxidil and some myths about them here.
Using Rogaine
Tight braids, weaves and ponytails are a common cause of thin edges, called traction alopecia. Other causes of thin edges include:
- Stress or childbirth (a condition called telogen effluvium)
- Infection
- Lupus
- Seborrheic dermatitis, or another condition causing your scalp to be inflamed
- alopecia areata
Conclusion
If you are suffering from thin edges and considering trying Rogaine® or another minoxidil product for hair growth, see a dermatologist first. Your dermatologist will examine you, take a history, run some tests, and then develop a plan to try to get your hair back. At this time, you can ask your doctor whether you should try Rogaine or another minoxidil hair growth product.
