Articles
Guides and explainers
Written by the FOLIGAIN editorial team to answer a question completely — education first.
The Complete Guide to the Types of Hair Loss
Pattern hair loss, telogen effluvium, alopecia areata, traction and scarring hair loss: how each one looks, why it happens and what usually helps.
14 min read · Updated 2026-09-28
Male Pattern Hair Loss: Causes, Stages and Options
Everything men need to know about androgenetic alopecia, from DHT and genetics to the Norwood scale, early signs and a realistic plan of action.
15 min read · Updated 2026-09-28
Female Pattern Hair Loss: A Complete Guide for Women
How thinning shows up differently in women, the role of hormones, menopause and nutrition, the Ludwig scale, and the options worth discussing.
15 min read · Updated 2026-09-28
Telogen Effluvium: Why Sudden Shedding Happens and How It Recovers
A calm, detailed guide to trigger-related shedding: the timeline, common causes, how it differs from pattern hair loss and what helps recovery.
12 min read · Updated 2026-09-28
The Hair Growth Cycle Explained: Anagen, Catagen, Telogen and Exogen
Understanding the four phases of hair growth is the key to understanding shedding, timelines and why every hair-growth routine takes months.
12 min read · Updated 2026-09-28How Much Hair Shedding Is Normal? A Practical Guide
Daily hair counts, wash-day shedding, seasonal changes and the signs that shedding deserves a closer look.
10 min read · Updated 2026-09-28Hidden Causes of Hair Loss: Thyroid, Iron, Medications and More
The medical and lifestyle factors that can cause or worsen thinning, and the questions worth asking your doctor.
13 min read · Updated 2026-09-28When to See a Dermatologist About Hair Loss (and What to Expect)
Red-flag symptoms, how to prepare for your appointment, the tests and tools dermatologists use and how to make the most of the visit.
10 min read · Updated 2026-09-28Every Hair Loss Treatment Compared: The Complete Overview
OTC Minoxidil, prescription medicines, procedures, devices and cosmetics side by side: evidence, pros, cons and who each suits.
16 min read · Updated 2026-09-28Hair Transplants: Pros, Cons, Costs and What to Expect
FUE vs FUT, candidacy, recovery, results timeline, risks and why medical therapy still matters after surgery.
15 min read · Updated 2026-09-28Finasteride for Hair Loss: Pros, Cons and Side Effects
How the prescription DHT blocker works, evidence, sexual and mood side effects, and who it is and isn't for.
14 min read · Updated 2026-09-28Dutasteride for Hair Loss: Pros and Cons
A stronger DHT blocker used off-label in the US: how it compares with finasteride, evidence and safety.
11 min read · Updated 2026-09-28Low-Dose Oral Minoxidil: Pros, Cons and How It Compares to Topical
Why clinicians increasingly prescribe low-dose oral Minoxidil, the benefits, the risks, and how it differs from topical.
12 min read · Updated 2026-09-28Spironolactone for Female Hair Loss: Pros and Cons
An anti-androgen prescribed off-label for female pattern hair loss: evidence, side effects and considerations.
10 min read · Updated 2026-09-28PRP for Hair Loss: Pros, Cons and Evidence
Platelet-rich plasma injections explained: procedure, sessions, costs and what studies say.
10 min read · Updated 2026-09-28Microneedling and Laser Therapy for Hair: Pros and Cons
Dermarollers, in-office microneedling and low-level light caps and combs: how they work and what to expect.
11 min read · Updated 2026-09-28Alopecia Areata Treatments: Steroids, JAK Inhibitors and More
Medical options for patchy autoimmune hair loss, including FDA-approved JAK inhibitors, with pros and cons.
11 min read · Updated 2026-09-28Minoxidil 2% vs 5%: Which Strength Is Right for You?
What the two over-the-counter strengths are, who each is labeled for, how they compare in studies, and how to choose between them.
13 min read · Updated 2026-09-28How to Apply Minoxidil Correctly: A Step-by-Step Guide
Solution and foam technique, dry vs wet hair, drying time, styling, washing and the small habits that decide whether you get consistent results.
12 min read · Updated 2026-09-28Minoxidil Results Timeline: What to Expect Month by Month
A realistic month-by-month picture of the first year on topical Minoxidil, from early shedding to the point where you can judge results.
11 min read · Updated 2026-09-28Minoxidil Side Effects: What's Common, What's Rare and What to Do
Scalp irritation, shedding, facial hair, and the rare warning signs that mean you should stop — explained calmly and practically.
12 min read · Updated 2026-09-28Minoxidil for Women: A Complete Guide
How Minoxidil is used for female pattern thinning, 2% vs once-daily 5% foam, facial hair, pregnancy, and realistic expectations.
13 min read · Updated 2026-09-28Low-Alcohol Minoxidil and Sensitive Scalps
Why some people react to classic Minoxidil solutions and how foams, low-alcohol and propylene-glycol-free formulas compare.
10 min read · Updated 2026-09-28Missed Doses, Breaks and Stopping Minoxidil
What to do if you miss an application, what happens during breaks, and what to expect if you stop for good.
9 min read · Updated 2026-09-28The History of Minoxidil: From Blood-Pressure Pill to Hair Topical
How an oral blood-pressure medicine became the world's best-known over-the-counter hair-regrowth ingredient.
9 min read · Updated 2026-09-28How Minoxidil Works: A Plain-English Guide
What topical Minoxidil does to the hair cycle, why it takes months, and how to tell whether it is doing anything at all.
9 min read · Updated 2026-09-02The Minoxidil Shedding Phase, Explained
Why shedding can increase early in a routine, how long it typically lasts, and when it is worth speaking to a clinician.
6 min read · Updated 2026-08-21
Minoxidil Foam vs Solution: Which Format Suits You
Alcohol content, drying time, residue and scalp comfort — the practical differences between the two most common formats.
7 min read · Updated 2026-07-30Hair Thinning in Women: Patterns, Causes and First Steps
Diffuse thinning, widening parts and postpartum shedding look different from male pattern loss, and are assessed differently.
10 min read · Updated 2026-09-10Building a Scalp Routine You Will Actually Keep
Cleansing frequency, build-up, flaking and irritation — how to keep the scalp comfortable while running a topical routine.
8 min read · Updated 2026-08-05How to Read a Hair-Growth Product Label
Active percentages, vehicle ingredients, marketing claims and what a label can and cannot tell you.
6 min read · Updated 2026-06-18