Minoxidil, A potent direct-acting peripheral vasodilator (vasodilator agents) that reduces peripheral resistance and produces a fall in blood pressure. Minoxidil can be use in men and women for androgenic alopecia or genetic-based hair loss, also known as male pattern hair loss.
Minoxidil is available over the counter for treatment of androgenic alopecia, among other baldness treatments, but measurable changes disappear within months after discontinuation of treatment. Its effectiveness has largely been demonstrated in younger men (18 to 41 years of age), the younger the better, and in those with balding in the central (vertex) portion of the scalp.
Minoxidil is a potassium channel agonist. It contains the chemical structure of nitric oxide), a blood vessel dilator, and may be a nitric oxide agonist. This appears to explain its vasodilatory effects, but may also be linked to minoxidil’s ability to stimulate hair growth and treat hair loss. Since minoxidil is a nitric oxide-related compound, it was suspected to act via activation of guanylate cyclase, an enzyme involved in vasodilation.

Function:
1. Minoxidil needs to be applied once or twice daily for hair to be maintained.
2. For maximum effect, the solution should be in contact with the scalp for hours before being washed out. It does not seem capable of reducing DHT or the enzyme responsible for its accumulation around the hair follicle, 5-aliha reductase, which are the main causes of male pattern baldness in genetically susceptible individuals. Therefore, when treatment is stopped, the DHT already accumlated around the follicle has its expected effect, and the follicle usually shrinks again and eventually dies.
3. Minoxidil can promote hair regrowth,slow or stop hair loss and treat high blood pressure.