Mens Rogaine Extra Strength Hair Regrowth Treatment (5% minoxidil)

I have read that it takes 6-8 weeks for eyebrow hair to grow in fully. So about 1 year after I had overzealously plucked one of my brows and still had a bare patch I knew I was going to be partially… browless for life unless I did something. Fortunately, I have fine blonde brows anyway, so I would take a bit of brow powder and tap it on the brow and voila it looked perfect. But I wanted to have brows without makeup too! An article in a womans magazine indicated that Rogaine worked on brows and I decided to try it. The magazine said to use the men's rogaine extra strength which is 5% minoxidil. I admit I was apprehensive. Would it sting or burn? There were warnings all over the box that it was for men only...what would it do to a woman - make me grow a mustache? But after looking in the mirror at my tadpole shaped eyebrow with part of the tail missing I buckled. I picked up a one month 2ml supply of Rogaine from the drugstore. The box looks large so I was surprised to open it and find a much smaller bottle that when opened was not even filled with product to the top. But I figured it would be enough for a brow. In addition to the product an eyedropper style applicator and directions on how to apply for hair loss were included. After more research (as Rogaine) does not give directions for brows, I found an article that described how to use it on brows. It said to brush the eyebrow to stimulate the area. (I used a small inexpensive eyebrow brush). Then apply the Rogaine with a q-tip, to that area. So twice a day I dabbed a q-tip in the liquid and applied it to the missing area. I felt no side effects. No rapid heartbeat. No weight gain (geez are they kidding). Did not experience any of the potential problems listed on the package. It did not sting or burn either and dried quickly so I could apply my eyebrow powder over it. Within about a month my eyebrow filled in! I was thrilled. And will say that the $25 the bottle set me back was well worth it. Let me add that my brows are very fine, it may take longer or (not work at all) on thicker brows. I would give the item 5 stars except it does not include directions for brows (why not?) since it works and also I have only used it for about 1 month so I dont know the long term results ie will those hairs fall out as another reviewer indicated? Right now I am pleased and delighted with my new brow! UPDATE: I discontinued use of Rograine when my brow grew in. After a few weeks I found that the brow once again appeared sparser. So it appears that applying Rograine a few times a week will be needed to keep the good result.

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I used this product for 12 months and I don't like writing bad reviews, but this deserves attention. My hair was thinning slightly and I was concerned because I was not ready to step into the middle ages… early (33). The commercials for this product said, "it is never too early to start using Rogaine". Well, I will tell you the truth. If you have thinning hair, but it is still strong and grows longer the 1/2", then you have hair better than Rogaine hair. Here is what I and nearly every other person I know had happen. First, when you start taking Rogaine, your natural hair will start to fall out. This is normal as the new Rogaine hair will take it place as noted in package. What is not noted is this hair is peach fuzz, never growing longer than 1/2 - 3/4". This hair does not style and is usually lighter than your normal hair, thus drawing more attention to an area you just rather not draw attention to. Think that is bad, that is not even the worst part. As the topical solution covers more of your scalp than the target area, eventually your good hair around the vortex starts to fall out and thin out. Also, Rogaine only works for so long (48 months I think - read fine print in package). Once you stop, your peach fuzz starts to fall out and you are amazed at how your bald spot has grown. Some of your old natural hair grows back, but not as much as you started with, especially if you were to progress that far anyway. In summary, learn to live with the thinning as Rogaine is not a solution. See a doctor - they will tell you the same thing. Some day there will be a cure that does not have an affect you your blood pressure or heart. Remember all the news articles in the early 90's about the risk of Monoxidil? That sure is not printed in the Rogaine package. I rank this product up there with miracle weight loss pills. They pry on a man's desire to have better hair, but delivers results far below a users intentions. The results are embarassing and draw more attention than balding naturally.

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