For those who experience it, hair loss is an extremely emotional condition. You may feel worried or confused, but know that you are not alone. Male-pattern hair loss is relatively common, but women’s hair loss or thinning is also more common than you may think. While there are a few reasons for hair loss or thinning, including extreme stress, pregnancy, medications and illnesses, hereditary-specific hair loss happens in over 1 out of every 4 women¹. The number of women with this type of loss increases with age, but it can start as early as in their twenties.

Many women lack awareness of hair regrowth treatments or, if they have heard of them, don’t believe they’ll work. Instead, they might spend a long time trying alternatives that lack proven clinical efficacy—and that don’t signal to the cashier that they’re losing hair—before they’ll turn to something specifically designed for regrowth. Women tend to try supplements, vitamins, or volumizing shampoos, conditioners, or sprays without luck, and get into a vicious cycle of trying something, it not working, and giving up. But there is a solution: hair regrowth treatments like Rogaine^® that contain minoxidil can help you regrow your hair. Read on to find out how!

Why and How Does Women’s Hair Loss Happen?

The average person is born with 100,000 hair follicles on their head, which are in a constant state of change. When a follicle is first activated, it grows thick hairs for several years (your baby pictures are proof of this), but when the growth phase is complete, the follicle transitions into a resting period where the hair is shed and the cycle begins again (and again, and again…).

Types of Hair Loss

Generally, hair loss falls into 2 categories: hereditary and non-hereditary. Hereditary hair loss is known as androgenetic alopecia (AGA), a genetic condition that shortens the time that hair is actively growing, eventually causing the follicles to slowly shrink. Women with this type of hair loss experience a general thinning of the hair, with the most loss happening on the top of the head and along the part.

On the flipside, non-hereditary hair loss happens when the follicles remain in the resting state due to various reasons, causing increased shedding and a temporary thinning of hair. When this happens, the amount of time someone stays in this stage varies, and once the imbalance has been corrected, the hair should return to its previous thickness.

A third kind of hair loss is called alopecia areata, an autoimmune disorder recognized by well-defined patches of loss, which may happen rapidly and lead to complete hair loss. If you have no history of hair loss in your family and are experiencing this, consult your doctor.

If you’re not certain about what kind of hair thinning you’re experiencing, thanks to Rogaine^®, there is a quiz that can help you figure things out.

Rekindle Your Hair Love Affair

The best way to regrow thicker, beautiful locks is from the inside out and Women’s Rogaine^® Foam is the first product of its kind that does just that. Specially formulated with the active ingredient minoxidil to treat hereditary hair thinning and loss, Rogaine^® is the #1 dermatologist recommended hair regrowth brand (based on 2016 Canadian survey data) and is clinically proven to reduce hair loss regrow hair. In a clinical study of more than 400 women, nearly 8 out of 10 who used Rogaine^® Foam re-grew thicker hair, and combined data from multiple clinical trials demonstrate  clinical results in as early as 12 weeks^2-4.

Rogaine^®’s Women 5% Minoxidil Foam is a once daily hair regrowth treatment specifically for women. It works for most women, and it could work for you.

How Does Minoxidil Actually Work?

As explained above, hereditary hair loss causes hair follicles to shrink. Each growth cycle produces shorter, finer hairs until growth ceases. Upon sustained use, minoxidil revives those hair follicles, helping them regrow thicker, beautiful hair. Minoxidil aids blood flow to the hair follicles and causes them to shift from a dormant phase to an active growing phase. Once you’ve begun using the foam, you may notice a little extra shedding within the first 2 weeks. Don’t worry—it’s actually a good sign. By clearing out your older, thinner hairs, you’re making way for beautiful, new hair to regrow.

Hereditary hair loss disrupts the hair growth cycle over time. So, while you may see hair growing, when left untreated, your follicles will continue to shrink and produce thinner and thinner hair. Women’s Rogaine^® reinvigorates thinning follicles to make way for new beautiful hair.

How Does Treatment Application Work?

Women’s Rogaine^® requires the application of half of a capful of foam once daily in the hair loss area. Simply apply the product directly to the affected area of your scalp, massage and then wash your hands. For best results, allow the foam to remain on your scalp for at least four hours prior to washing or wetting your hair. You can follow your normal hair care routine when using Women’s Rogaine® – just be sure to apply it first and wait for it to dry before using a blow dryer or applying your styling products.

Since normal hair growth takes time, hair regrowth with Rogaine^® also takes time. Results may be seen as early as 3 months following treatment; though for some women, it may take at least 6 months. With patience and everyday application, you’ll begin seeing thinning stop and your hair regrow. Continued use is necessary to increase or keep your hair regrowth, or hair loss will begin again.

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Rogaine^® is clinically proven to increase hair density for thicker-looking hair. Unlike products that just temporarily coat thinning hair, Women’s Rogaine^® Foam revitalizes shrinking hair follicles to stimulate hair regrowth from the inside out. It’s also the first and only minoxidil foam treatment for women that is available in Canada.

If you are experiencing hair thinning, take the quiz and find out what kind of hair loss you may be experiencing. Then, if it is hereditary loss and you don’t want to lose your hair, take hold of the situation with Rogaine^®: currently the ONLY topical minoxidil hair regrowth treatment specifically authorized for sale by Health Canada to treat female hereditary hair loss.

For more information, visit www.rogaine.ca and https://www.womensrogaine.ca/.

This product may or may not be right for you. Always read and follow the label.

For men, Men’s Rogaine^® Foam is a twice daily hair regrowth treatment clinically proven to regrow hair and reduce hair loss. The product’s safety and effectiveness profile was demonstrated in clinical testing of twice daily use in men experiencing male pattern hair loss. As always, we recommend following the labeled dosage when using any Rogaine^® minoxidil product. 

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References:

1. Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Selected Age Groups by Sex for the United States, States, Counties, and Puerto Rico Commonwealth and Municipios: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2013. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division. Release Date: June 2014:
2. Bergfeld W, Washenik K, Callender V, Zhang P, Quiza C, Doshi U, Blume-Peytavi U.A phase III, multicenter, parallel-design clinical trial to compare the efficacy and safety of 5% Minoxidilfoam versus vehicle in women with female pattern hair loss. J Drugs Dermatol., 15(7):874-81, 2016.
3. Blume-Peytavi U, Shapiro J, Messenger AG, Hordinsky MK, Zhang P, Quiza C, Doshi U, Olsen EA.Efficacy and Safety of Once-Daily Minoxidil Foam 5% Versus Twice-Daily Minoxidil Solution 2% in Female Pattern Hair Loss: A Phase III, Randomized, Investigator-Blinded Study. J Drugs Dermatol., 15(7):883-9, 2016.
4. Olsen EA, Whiting D, Bergfeld W, Miller J, Hordinsky M, Wanser R, Zhang P, Kohut B. A multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial of a novel formulation of 5%minoxidil topical foam versus placebo in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in men. J Am Acad Dermatol.