If you’re like most men, hair loss is one of your biggest fears. It’s a natural process that happens to many of us as we get older, but unfortunately that fact doesn’t make it any easier to deal with.
Thankfully, effective treatments are available that are clinically-proven to help slow down or stop hair thinning in its tracks.
Mars by GHC is a subscription men’s health brand that offers personalized hair loss treatments created by licensed doctors.
In this review of Mars by GHC hair loss, we will take a close look at their minoxidil in particular, as well as their other treatments for hair loss, including their shampoo and biotin gummies, as well as their prescription hair loss meds (finasteride).
What is Minoxidil?
Let’s start this Mars by GHC minoxidil review by talking about minoxidil. Minoxidil is a medication that has been clinically proven to slow down or stop hair loss. It was originally developed as a treatment for high blood pressure, but researchers found that one of the side effects was hair growth.
As a result, minoxidil was approved by the FDA as a hair loss treatment in the 1980s, and is also currently approved by the CDSCO, India’s drug regulations body. It is available as a topical solution, foam, and shampoo. Minoxidil is thought to work by widening blood vessels and increasing blood flow to the hair follicles. This helps to nourish the follicles and prevent them from miniaturizing, which leads to hair loss.
Is Mars minoxidil effective?
Minoxidil is an effective hair loss treatment that has been clinically proven to slow down or stop thinning. It’s been shown to be more effective than a placebo in treating hereditary hair loss (i.e. alopecia).
Mars by GHC offers the same underlying active ingredient in their 5% topical minoxidil solution, so yes, to put it simply, Mars by GHC minoxidil is effective and clinically proven to work in most men when applied as instructed.
Moreover, another study showed that minoxidil was also more effective than the popular hair loss drug finasteride because it was able to stop hair loss and promote hair growth in men with alopecia without any serious side effects. Finasteride, however, can cause sexual side effects such as decreased semen and reduced libido, so it’s worth talking to a doctor before you decide that it’s right for you.
If you are looking for a safe and effective way to treat your thinning scalp, Mars by GHC minoxidil is an ideal option to start with, given that it generally poses low risk of side effects and has driven results for millions of men.
Are there any side effects?
As part of our Mars hair loss review, we also want to touch on minoxidil’s side effects. Minoxidil is generally well-tolerated, but it can cause side effects in a small number of people, including:
Itching and irritation of the scalp – this is the most common side effect, and it usually goes away with continued use
Dryness of the scalp – this can be alleviated by using a conditioner or non-medicated shampoo
Headache – if you experience headaches after using minoxidil, try using it less often or diluting it with water
Redness or flaking of the skin – if this side effect persists, stop using minoxidil and talk to your doctor
As you’ll notice, these side effects are relatively minor and are contained to the area of treatment. Very rarely, however, minoxidil may cause more serious side effects. If you experience any of the following side effects, stop using minoxidil and seek medical attention:
Chest pain
Shortness of breath
Swelling of the hands or feet
Rapid or irregular heartbeat
Fainting
How to use minoxidil from Mars by GHC
For best results, apply Mars by GHC minoxidil twice daily to the scalp. Massage the minoxidil into the scalp thoroughly to ensure that it is evenly distributed.
Leave it for at least four hours before washing it off. Do not exceed the recommended dosage of twice daily. This will not speed up hair growth, and may cause irritation.
How much does Mars minoxidil cost?
A single bottle of Mars by GHC minoxidil costs ₹ 599 for a 60mL bottle, which should last you about a month if you apply the recommended 1-2 mL per day.
Why do men suffer from hair loss in the first place?
Curious what causes your hair to fall out in the first place? The most common cause of hair loss in men is androgenetic alopecia, also known as male pattern baldness. This type of hair loss is caused by a combination of genetics and hormones.
Androgens are male hormones that have many functions, one of which is regulating hair growth.
Testosterone, the main androgen in men, is converted into dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by the enzyme which can then attach to hair follicles and cause them to miniaturize.
This process eventually leads to baldness as hair follicles produce thinner and shorter hairs until they eventually stop producing hair altogether.
How does Mars Minoxidil work to prevent hair loss?
The primary issue caused by DHT is the miniaturization of hair follicles. Mars by GHC’s minoxidil products work to counteract this issue by stimulating hair follicles and encouraging them to produce thicker hairs.
Mars by GHC’s minoxidil products are available in a 5% topical solution. This stronger solution is safe for both men who are just beginning to experience hair loss, and for men who have already experienced significant hair loss.
How long does it take to see results from Mars minoxidil?
Mars by GHC minoxidil generally takes at least four months of diligent application before you see any visible results. However, some men claim they saw noticeable results as early as two months. The full effects of Mars by GHC minoxidil will usually be seen after six to twelve months of use. Remember that regrowth will be limited or negligible, but after diligent application over a few months, most men notice they are no longer losing their hair.
What happens when you stop taking it?
You will need to use Mars by GHC minoxidil for as long as you want to keep your hair. If you stop using it, the effects will wear off and you will eventually start to notice your hair thinning again. The indefinite or “forever” nature of this treatment makes it ever more important to find a brand of minoxidil that’s affordable. After all, you’ll probably end up taking it for the rest of your life assuming you see solid results like millions of other men.
Is Mars by GHC minoxidil suitable for everyone?
Mars by GHC minoxidil is not suitable for everyone. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, Mars by GHC minoxidil is not recommended. Similarly, if you are a man with a pregnant wife, you may want to be careful that your minoxidil doesn’t wipe off on your pillow at night and accidentally come in contact with your partner.
Those with heart conditions should also speak to a doctor before using minoxidil. As with any medication, it’s always best to speak to a doctor before use. Luckily, Mars by GHC gives you access to licensed doctors to determine if their treatments are right for you virtually. It’s a very convenient step to ensure you their hair loss products are safe given your individual biology and habits.
Do you need a prescription for minoxidil?
Yes, residents in India need a prescription from a licensed doctor in order to get Mars by GHC minoxidil. The good news is that Mars has a team of licensed doctors on hand that will provide the required prescription as part of their subscription service. Note that this is not true in the US, where patients can buy minoxidil (aka Rogaine) over the counter without a doctor’s recommendation.
Can you use minoxidil in combination with other hair loss treatments?
Yes, Mars by GHC minoxidil can be used in combination with other hair loss treatments and products. Mars by GHC finasteride – another popular mens hair loss treatment – can be used in conjunction with minoxidil. Mars also has a number of over-the-counter hair loss treatments and products that can be used in combination with minoxidil.
What is finasteride?
Finasteride is a prescription medication used to treat male pattern baldness by inhibiting the production of DHT in the scalp in a similar manner to minoxidil. It is available in pill form and must be taken daily for it to be effective.
Finasteride is one of Mars by GHC’s core products that’s also proven effective for millions of men suffering from hair loss. It can be taken with minoxidil, often as an oral pill, but occasionally as a topical solution as well.
How does finasteride work?
Finasteride works by inhibiting the production of DHT in the scalp. DHT is a hormone that causes hair loss and is present in higher levels in men who are balding. By inhibiting the production of DHT, finasteride helps slow or stop hair fall.
What are the side effects of finasteride?
The most common side effect of finasteride is sexual dysfunction. This can include decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, and ejaculatory disorders. Other potential side effects include depression, anxiety, and breast tenderness.
However, these side effects are rare and usually resolve with continued use of the medication.
Finasteride is not suitable for women due to its potential to cause birth defects.
Is finasteride effective?
Yes, finasteride is an effective hair loss treatment. In clinical studies, finasteride has been shown to slow down or stop hair loss in up to 83% of men. It is most effective in men aged 18-41 years old. It can take up to three months for finasteride to start working. The full effects of the medication may not be seen for up to a year.
How long do I need to take finasteride for?
Finasteride needs to be taken continuously for it to be effective. If you stop taking finasteride, you will likely lose the hair that you have gained within 12 months.
Can you use finasteride with minoxidil?
Yes, you can use finasteride with minoxidil. In fact, using both treatments together has been shown to be more effective than using either one alone. This means that you can combine the Mars by GHC minoxidil with a range of other treatments, such as hair loss pills and thickening shampoos.
What other hair loss treatments does Mars by GHC offer?
As part of our Mars by GHC review, we also took a look at the other hair loss treatments offered by this company. These include biotin hair growth pills and thickening shampoos.
What are biotin hair growth pills?
Biotin hair growth pills are a supplement that you take orally. They’re designed to support healthy hair growth by providing your body with the biotin it needs. Biotin is a water-soluble vitamin that’s found in foods like eggs, nuts, and legumes. It’s also available as a supplement.
You take biotin hair growth pills daily, and they’re said to help with a variety of hair-related issues, including thinning hair, shedding, and dryness.
Mars by GHC biotin pills contain a range of multivitamins that help in hair growth and improve metabolism, such as:
Biotin. 10000 mcg.
Vitamin E. 20 mg.
Vitamin A. 10 I.U.
Vitamin C. 180 mcg.
Zinc. 1.25 mg.
Excipients q.s.
Does biotin work for hair loss?
Some studies show that biotin supplementation can thicken hair and stimulate hair growth. One study showed that biotin deficiency can lead to hair loss in mice.
However, unlike minoxidil or finasteride, biotin is a complementary treatment rather than a direct solution for hair loss. This means that biotin doesn’t work on its own to stop hair loss, but is potentially effective when used in combination with other treatments.
Biotin is safe for most people, but there are a few potential side effects such as skin rashes and digestive upset. If you experience any negative side effects, stop taking the supplement and see a doctor.
What are thickening shampoos?
Thickening shampoos are designed to add volume and fullness to your hair. Mars’s thickener works by coating each strand of hair with a thickening agent, which makes your hair appear thicker and fuller. Many thickening shampoos also contain ingredients that improve the underlying health of your scalp and hair, such as biotin, niacin, and zinc.
Can I use all these treatments in combination?
Yes you can! In fact, we recommend combining hair loss treatments for optimal results. Using Mars minoxidil in combination with their complete system of hair loss treatments give most men the best chance of achieving their desired results.
The combination of hair thickening shampoo, biotin supplements, minoxidil and finasteride provides a comprehensive approach that doctors say tackles hair loss and thinning from multiple angles.
The bottom line: Is Mars by GHC an effective treatment for hair loss?
As we mentioned before, Minoxidil is one of the only FDA approved medications for hair loss, and it has been shown to be effective in clinical trials.
Mars by GHC minoxidil contains the same active ingredient (in a similar 5% concentration) as other popular brands like Rogaine, so overall, you can expect similarly impressive results. That is, if you’re able to apply it diligently to your scalp everyday as instructed. Note that when you stop taking minoxidil, its effects are likely to reverse.
Thus Mars by GHC minoxidil is a safe and effective way to treat hair loss. It is affordable, easy to apply, and poses minimal risk of side effects. If you are looking for an effective hair loss treatment, we highly recommend Mars by GHC minoxidil as the product to start with. It works for the vast majority of men with thinning hair and doesn’t require a prescription.
Just simply head over to Mars by GHC’s site, enter your details, and get hair loss meds shipped to your door. And let us know how the product worked for you after you’ve given it an honest try for 3 months!
