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Generic Minoxidil

By Mosh
Start Growing Hair
5 min read
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Key Takeaways

Generic Minoxidil can be used as a hair loss treatment option. Mosh offers a network of health practitioners who can assess your hair loss concerns and recommend a treatment plan tailored to your unique needs and objectives. Generic minoxidil is just as potent as branded ones, and its effectiveness in treating hair loss concerns is similar.

Hair loss can be a frustrating, distressing, and even an embarrassing condition. It’s hard to know where to start when it comes to finding the right treatment for you. Instead of getting a wig or doing a comb-over, there are possible treatments that can help with hair loss, such as generic minoxidil.

Instead of relying on experimentation and home remedies to resolve your health concerns, you could consult your doctor to discuss effective solutions that actually work and are backed by science. Mosh is here to help you understand the different hair loss solutions and help you determine which solution would best suit you. To do this, we connect you with a network of health practitioners who will work with you to discuss your situation and, if needed, recommend a treatment plan. Here is what you need to know about generic minoxidil and how it can be used to treat hair loss.

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What is minoxidil?

Minoxidil hair regrowth treatment was initially developed to treat high blood pressure as it was observed it could relax the walls of blood vessels and improve blood flow.[1] It was later observed that when Minoxidil was ingested orally it caused hypertrichosis, or increased growth in hair follicles, in several patients.[2] After this side effect was observed, minoxidil was formulated into a topical solution that could be safely applied without adverse side effects. 

How does minoxidil work?

In general, minoxidil has the effect of shortening the resting phase of hair growth, which stimulates hair growth in the follicles and lengthens the overall growth phase.[3] There are four main phases in the hair cycle:

  • anagen (growth);
  • catagen (follicle shrinking);
  • telogen (rest); and 
  • exogen (shedding).

The telogen phase may last for more than three months before moving into exogen.[4] To reach the anagen phase and grow new hair, your hair first goes through the shedding phase, so it is natural to notice that you have some hair loss, as your body would naturally shed old hair.

When applied topically on the scalp, minoxidil can improve blood flow, which may nourish the hair follicles and lead to thicker and fuller hair. For this reason, minoxidil hair products are frequently used to encourage growth.

What are the minoxidil side effects?

While topical minoxidil has been considered safe, there are still some side effects associated with the use of minoxidil. Some potential side effects of minoxidil use may include:[5]

  • Scalp Itchiness
  • Dryness
  • Irritation and redness
  • Skin flaking

Whether you’re unsure how to apply a minoxidil product or questioning whether you actually need a minoxidil treatment to treat your hair loss, you should consider speaking to one of our Mosh health practitioners. They can better assess your health concerns and help you understand your hair loss problems. If necessary, our health practitioners can recommend treatment options with science-backed evidence so that you can avoid unwanted side effects. 

How much does generic minoxidil cost?

It’s important that you have an estimate of how much you’ll probably spend per month if you decide to use topical minoxidil to know if you can sustain it. Topical minoxidil doesn’t result in permanent scalp hair regrowth; it must be used continuously to maintain hair regrowth, if any.[5] If you are wanting a pharmacy grade treatment, the price of a 180 mL 5% minoxidil solution can be around $79, worth three months of use. If however you would like a health practitioner prescribed treatment, personalised to your hair loss situation, this can cost from $29 a month.

Mosh’s network of AHPRA-registered health practitioners eliminates the guesswork of choosing a hair loss treatment – all without the hassles of visiting a clinic. With our men’s health platform, you can connect with a health practitioner who can offer evidence-based advice to assist with your health issues. If necessary, they will also provide you with a treatment plan that is tailored to your unique needs and objectives.

Compared to purchasing over-the-counter minoxidil, using our telehealth platform means availing of Mosh’s services and guarantees as one of our Moshers. We offer the following benefits and more: 

  • No lock-in contract period, allowing you to cancel anytime with no penalty
  • Medical advise by our Mosh health practitioners 
  • Flexible and secure payment options through Afterpay 
  • Free and discreet shipping

With Mosh, we only offer premium-quality service and high-value products to our Moshers to ensure that you can step out in confidence. 

Is generic minoxidil just as potent as branded ones?

Generic minoxidil is just as potent since branded products also use minoxidil as an active ingredient. While generic minoxidil may be less expensive than branded ones, it can be just as effective when it comes to treating hair loss concerns.

Each generic or brand-name minoxidil product can differ in inactive ingredients, which may affect the texture and how the product is applied. In many minoxidil products, the following inactive ingredients are typically used: propylene glycol, ethanol, and water.

With Mosh, if treatment is recommended for you and you use our subscription plans, we offer a reformulation guarantee – you can discuss your concerns with Australian health practitioners and make adjustments to your treatment if necessary. In the unlikely event that the treatment is too strong or you experience side effects, you and your health practitioner can review your plan, and we’ll take care of the rest.

What kind of shampoo goes best with minoxidil?

Ketoconazole is more commonly used for its antifungal properties in treating seborrheic dermatitis or dandruff.[6] However, research shows that ketoconazole can reduce hair loss by helping to combat the buildup of dihydrotestosterone (DHT),[7] though more robust studies are still needed.[8] Ketoconazole comes in various forms, such as a topical cream, topical foam, or topical gel, but it is also available as a shampoo.

Talk to your doctor if you’re interested in using ketoconazole shampoo for hair loss to know its recommended dosage, use and if applicable for your hair growth conditions. If ketoconazole is suggested for your situation, you can also ask how long you should wait after shampooing to apply generic minoxidil.

Are there alternative treatments to minoxidil?

There are alternative treatments to minoxidil, including some natural treatment options and non-prescription hair products.[9] 
Our health practitioners consider a number of factors when assessing your hair loss concerns. You may be prescribed Mosh products tailored to your treatment if necessary. Apart from prescription products, Mosh offers over-the-counter products that complement the treatment you are prescribed. 

Your health and more with Mosh

Mosh trusts you can place your health concerns in the hands of our experienced health practitioners. We pride ourselves on providing the finest services for all our Moshers. Our objective is to make men’s health simple, and we do so by delivering convenient telehealth services. 

We work with our Moshers, who have issues related to skincare, mental health, sexual health, weight loss, and more. You may contact us Monday through Friday, AEST, 8.30 am to 5.30 pm if you have any concerns or questions about our services.  

Our telehealth platform also offers a subscription delivery service with privacy and discretion. You can explore our non-prescription hair regrowth products, including hair growth vitamins, hair growth spray, and generic minoxidil, as well as our other offerings.

Complete our short online questionnaire so we can learn more about your health situation. Once we receive your information, our health practitioners can provide science-backed advice and, if needed, formulate a recommended treatment plan for you. Let us address your concerns so you can exit your home with confidence.


9 References

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