Tugain Gel

Tugain Gel is a topical treatment for androgenic alopecia or male pattern baldness. Tugain Gel is used in men to stabilise hair loss and induce re-growth of hair in areas where the hair is thinning, but should not be used for frontal baldness or receding hairline. Tugain Gel is most effective where hair loss has just started or is recent and there are smaller areas of hair loss of the vertex. Tugain Gel cannot cure baldness but can prevent the progression of hair loss in the frontal areas of the scalp as well as the vertex area. Tugain Gel is not suitable for use by women with female pattern baldness. Tugain Gel contains Minoxidil, which is a vasodilator (dilates or widens blood vessels) and is thought to directly stimulate hair follicles to grow by increasing blood flow in the scalp and enhancing cell proliferation in hair follicles that were in resting phase. Another possible mechanism is that minoxidil in Tugain Gel prolongs the active growth phase of hair (anagen) and increases the size of the hair follicle, which prevents hair growth entering the resting phase (telogen) too early. Hair loss is due to shrinking hair follicles that gradually produce smaller and thinner hairs, which eventually do not emerge from the follicle. The longer hair follicles are inactive the harder it is for them to respond and begin new growth. You should apply your Tugain Gel twice a day, morning and evening, when the hair and scalp are clean and dry, to the areas of your scalp where you are losing hair. Apply to the centre of the affected area and spread the gel gently over the skin to cover all the affected area. Allow gel to dry for 4 hours before washing or leave to dry for 2-4 hours before going to bed. Wash your hands with soap and water immediately after use; ensure that you only apply your Tugain Gel to the scalp, to prevent unwanted hair growth on other parts of the body. Apply Tugain Gel only to areas of scalp that are healthy and where the skin is not broken. You should use your Tugain Gel continuously and new hair growth will be seen after 3-4 months. If you stop using Tugain Gel the new growth will stop and you will lose the new hair.  If you miss an application of Tugain Gel apply it as soon as you remember, unless it is time for the next application, then skip the missed application. Do not apply more than twice a day to make up for a missed application. The most commonly reported side effects when taking Tugain Gel are local irritation at the site of application including redness, dry skin, itching, burning sensation, scalp flaking and rash. Hair colour or texture may be altered with increased hair loss at first as old hairs make way for new hairs, also contact of Tugain Gel with other areas such as the forehead may cause hypertrichosis or unwanted hair growth. You should not use Tugain Gel if you: are allergic to minoxidil or any ingredients in Tugain Gel; do not have a family history of hair loss; have sudden and/or unexplained hair loss; have inflamed, irritated, infected or painful scalp, including sunburn and psoriasis; have cardiovascular disease without discussion with your doctor; are taking medicines that interact with Tugain Gel, including other topical medications like tretinoin for acne, anthralin and dithranol for psoriasis. You should store your Tugain Gel below 25°C in a cool dry place and protect from light.