What are the advantages of HairGenesis® over Rogaine?
Rogaine™, a well-known, topically administered hair loss treatment brand is based upon the drug minoxidil. Originally, minoxidil was used exclusively as an oral drug to treat hypertension. Serendipitously, it was discovered to have an interesting side effect: hair growth. To this day, the mechanism by which minoxidil promotes hair growth is not fully understood.
Available in 2% strength for women and 5% strength for men, Rogaine™ was the first drug approved to treat pattern hair loss.
One Advantage of Rogaine™
The advantage of Rogaine™ is that it is a well-tested, clinically proven drug, shown to positively influence the rate of scalp hair growth, and specifically in the setting of androgenetic alopecia, aka common pattern hair loss.
Disadvantages of Rogaine™ Include The Possibility of Several Negative Side Effects
The disadvantages of Rogaine™ include a potential for negative side effect. Common side effects of minoxidil include burning or irritation of the eye, itching, redness or irritation at the treated area, as well as unwanted hair growth elsewhere on the body. Users should discontinue treatment and seek medical attention right away if they experience any of the following serious side effects: severe allergic reactions (e.g. rash, hives, itching, difficulty breathing, tightness in the chest, or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue), chest pain, dizziness, fainting, tachycardia (rapid heartbeat), sudden and unexplained weight gain, or swelling of the hands and feet.
Non-documented Side Effects
Although not documented on the label, some patients report side effects of dry skin, dark under-eye circles, and skin redness. Studies have shown that minoxidil can cause collagen depletion in vitro as it is a lysyl hydroxylase inhibitor, an enzyme which is key in collagen production. Minoxidil, in its maximum strength 5% form, is not indicated for use by women.
Minoxidil Side Effects
Paradoxically, hair loss is a common side effect of minoxidil treatment. Manufacturers note that minoxidil-induced hair loss is a common side effect and describe the process as “shedding”. Although this phenomenon demonstrates that minoxidil is indeed affecting hair follicles, manufacturers offer no guarantee that the new hair loss will be replaced with hair growth. The speculated reason for this shedding is the encouragement of hairs already in the telogen phase to shed early.
Side effects of oral minoxidil may include swelling of the face and extremities, rapid and irregular heartbeat, lightheadedness, cardiac lesions, and focal necrosis of the papillary muscle and subendocardial areas of the left ventricle. There have been cases of allergic reactions to minoxidil or the non-active ingredient propylene glycol, which is found in some topical minoxidil formulations. Peudoacromegaly is an extremely rare side effect reported with large doses of oral minoxidil.
The HairGenesis Formula is Drug-free
In contrast, the drug-free formulations comprising HairGenesis® have been successfully tested under numerous well-designed studies, including peer-reviewed, IRB-monitored, placebo-controlled, double blind conditions. Additionally, HairGenesis® is supported with an ongoing R&D infrastructure which has resulted in the development of seven generations of continually-improved formulations.
