Medical Wellness center prescribes oral minoxidil for androgenetic alopecia, male pattern hairloss. In contrast to the oral high blood pressure dose of 10 – 40mg daily, research has shown relative safety of oral minoxidil 2.5mg daily dose for hair loss. Especially in men missing the scalp sulfotransferase enzyme to activate minoxidil, the liver sulfotransferase enzyme activates the minoxidil Genetic male-pattern hairloss strikes men as early as their late teens to early 20’s. Consequently, everywhere you see ads for lotions and potions to make your hair grow. Unfortunately, most of these OTC products don’t work.
In contrast, Medical Wellness Center and Murray Avenue Apothecary successfully treat androgenetic male-pattern hair loss for over 30 years. Specifically they use a proprietary compounded prescription medication combined with oral or topical finasteride or dutasteride and high concentration TOPICAL minoxidil. Because male pattern hair loss is a relentlessly progressive condition in which DHT-sensitive hair follicles miniaturize and die, treating male pattern hair loss EARLY is important.
Specifically, Medical Wellness Center prescribes high-concentration compounded TOPICAL minoxidil formulas. But , since the publication of an article in the New York times promoting oral minoxidil for pennies a day, everyone is inquiring about oral minoxidil.
Although there are many reasons we feel that high concentrations of topical minoxidil may be better than oral minoxidil, research has shown that oral minoxidil may be safe and effective especially in men missing the sulfotransferase enzyme necessary to activate the minoxidil.
The following lists reasons why our compounded 15-30% topical minoxidil is more effective than oral minoxidil, a high blood pressure medication, taken for the systemic side effect of total body hirsuitism.
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- Topical 15-30% minoxidil is much more powerful and works directly on the hair follicle NOT a side effect of systemic high blood pressure medication
- The study compares low dose oral minoxidil to OTC 5% minoxidil, NOT compounded 15-30% minoxidil topical
- That is low dose oral minoxidil compared to 5% topical minoxidil, we prescribe 15-30% compounded TOPICAL minoxidil
- Oral minoxidil is a SYSTEMIC anti-hypertensive medication that has a “side effect” of hirsutism, meaning hair growth all over the body, not just on scalp
- Topical minoxidil applied in HIGH concentration (15-30%)directly to the localized miniaturized hair follicles on the scalp is much more effective and powerful than a low dose of a system high blood pressure pill that just has a side effect of increasing total body hair thickness.
- 2.5mg daily taken orally has first pass effect through the liver which decreases the actual amount of minoxidil that is available at the hair follicle. Compounded 15% to 30% topical minoxidil delivers 150 to 300 mg of minoxidil directly to the miniaturized hair follicles where the effects is needed.
- In addition, we add additives to the topical compounded minoxidil, RA, AA, Progesterone which helps to enhance the effectiveness of the effects of minoxidil improving blood circulation to the follicle.
- HIGH blood pressure medication (anti-hypertensive) MAIN physiological function is to DECREASE blood pressure which could have deleterious effects on even healthy people or individuals with known and unknown heart issues or are on other blood pressure medication
Medical Wellness Center uses a multi-modal approach to treating male pattern hair loss. First we address the main culprit in androgenetic hair loss which is DHT. Specifically we prescribe either oral or topical DHT blockers: either oral or topical finasteride or dutasteride 5 alpha reducase inhibitors that block the conversion of Testosterone to DHT. DHT miniaturizes and eventually kills genetically sensitive scalp hair follicles. Therefore, using finasteride or dutasteride decreases the available DHT and prevents the miniaturization and death of hair follicles. Minoxidil and other prescriptions increase blood flow to the hair follicles and revive and rescue the already miniaturized hair follicle. Apply high concentrations of minoxidil topically works directly on the miniaturized hair follicle, rather than a systemic wide “side effect” of an oral dose of a anti-hypertensive medication, oral minoxidil.
Below is the multi-modal approach for the treatment and reversal of Male Pattern Hair Loss:
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- Systemic or Topical Dutasteride or Finasteride:mBoth Avodart (dutasteride) and Propecia (finasteride) are systemic 5-alpha reductase enzyme inhibitors that reduce DHT levels, the primary cause of male pattern baldness. DHT is responsible for the miniaturization and subsequent death of the hair follicles in the balding areas. Therefore, topical Minoxidil and Finasteride and Dutasteride work synergistically on the key factors in the development of androgenetic male pattern baldness. Finasteride and Dutasteride decrease levels of DHT responsible for the miniaturization of hair follicles, which slows or stops further hair loss. While Minoxidil works to increase blood flow to the area and enlarges and restores the follicles that have been miniaturized resulting in thickening and regrowth of hair.
- Compounded Minoxidil: Prescription strength 30%, 15%, 12.5% and 5% compounded topical Minoxidil formulations and 5% Minoxidil Shampoo with selective additives. Minoxidil is the same ingredient as found in Rogaine, but at much higher strengths. Minoxidil effectiveness is dose dependent. Therefore, the higher the dose the better the hair regrowth.
- Avodart (dutasteride) and Propecia (finasteride) are systemic 5-alpha reductase enzyme inhibitors that reduce DHT responsible for the miniaturization of the hair follicles in the balding areas. Topical prescription strength Minoxidil works by increasing blood flow and enlarging miniaturized follicles and extending the hair’s growth phase. As a result, Minoxidil enlarges and restores the follices that have been miniaturized.
- Over-the-counter Minoxidil (Rogaine) contains only 2 – 5% Minoxidil and is 60% alcohol which is very drying and damaging to the hair shaft. In contrast, prescription-strength Minoxidil lotion or cream exclusively compounded by Murray Avenue Apothecary does not contain high alcohol content and is not drying or damaging to the hair shaft. Murray Avenue Apothecary compounds the formulation from micronized Minoxidil which means the Minoxidil has been ground down into very fine particles and the formulation is smooth and not granular so it applies easily to the scalp and is rapidly absorbed. In addition, you can customize the formula with hair-growth enhancing ingredients. To learn more about Prescription strength Minoxidil compounded exclusively by Murray Avenue Apothecary and shipped directly to you visit our website MedicalWellnessCenter.com. Adding topical prescription strength Minoxidil enhances the effectiveness of Avodart treatment by stimulating the hair follicle and promotes thicker hair and hair regrowth. (We do not prescribe oral minoxidil due to safety reasons. Potential side effects include heart issues, dizziness, hair on the face, hair on the body, palpitations, and fluid retention in the feet and face.)
- Topical Spironolactone: Spironolactone is one of the most potent topical anti-androgens that BLOCKS DHT at the hair follicle. We offer an exclusive Topical Spironolactone compounded by Murray Avenue Apothecary. In contrast to oral spironolactone, compounded Topical Spironolactone has essentially NO side effects and is SAFE and effective. It acts synergistically with Avodart to reverse DHT induced male pattern hair loss.
- Topical Winlevi (Clascoterone): Winlevi is the NEWEST FDA-approved, potent androgen-receptor blocker. Winlevi blocks DHT from binding directly at the hair follicle. Essentially NO side effects and is SAFE and effective. It acts synergistically with Avodart to reverse DHT induced male pattern hair loss.
- Latisse (Bimatoprost) or Latanoprost (Xalatan): Bimatoprost (active ingredient in Latisse and Lumigan) , a Prostaglandin-Analog, was found to grow hair as an anecdotal side effect when used to treat glaucoma. The FDA approved the use of Latisse to grow and thicken eyelashes. And the more widespread the use, it was observed to thicken eyebrows as well. Now there has been studies and clinical off-label use of Latisse for male pattern baldness with remarkable results. Allergan, the manufacturer of Latisse, has just completed FDA Phase I Safety studies of Latisse for male pattern hair loss and is now conducting Phase II/III studies. Due to the excellent safety profile and reports of significant scalp hair growth, we are now offering prescriptions for Bimatoprost for male pattern hair loss as an adjunctive therapy to combine with other modalities. Latanoprost is an affordable, less expensive Prostaglandin-Analog alternative to Bimatoprost (Latisse) for male pattern hair loss.
- 2% Nizoral (ketoconazole) Prescription Shampoo: Prescription strength Nizoral Shampoo has been shown in studies to be effective in male pattern hair loss. Nizoral works by inhibiting of the binding of DHT to the hair follicle and helps lower scalp DHT. Furthermore, it also removes sebum deposits than cannot be removed with normal scalp cleansing techniques. These fatty sebum deposits lie on the scalp and appear to clog the hair follicles and may reduce the nutritional supply to the follicle. It can be used alone or along with Avodart and any other topical hair loss treatment
Therefore, combining multiple modalities would optimize and enhance the effectiveness of treatment:
- Decrease scalp DHT with Avodart or Propecia/Proscar via inhibition of conversion of testosterone to DHT
2. Minoxidil -increasing blood supply to restore follicles that have been miniaturized by DHT
3. 2% Nizoral Shampoo inhibits binding of DHT to the hair follicle receptors.
4. Latisse (bimatoprost) or latanoprost to promote hair growth.
5. Topical Spironolactone or Topical Winlevi to block DHT at the hair root.