One scientific explanation suggests that it is Minoxidil’s ability to cause dilation in the blood vessels that surround hair follicles that gives it its power. It is said to increase the supply of nutrients to the follicle, prompting more hair growth.

The other widely-held view is that Minoxidil applied topically boosts DNA synthesis within the cells of the hair follicles by prompting the body to produce sulfonyl transfers, a catalyst that leads to the creation of Minoxidil Sulphite.

This activates channels of potassium in the cells, leading to the re-growth of hair. For the majority of users, the reasons why Minoxidil works are of no real concern; the only thing they want to know is ‘is it effective?’ and the answer is ‘yes’ in many, many cases.

This is a major breakthrough in the treatment of male pattern baldness, which is the cause of all but around ten per cent cases of significant hair loss in men.

Minoxidil is an antihypertensive vasodilator but was originally formulated towards the end of the 1950s as a medication to treat ulcers. It did not fulfil its initial aim but was later found to be an effective vasodilator and in 1963 it was given the name of Minoxidil. Minoxidil was approved to treat people with high blood pressure back in 1979.

It was in 1988, however, that it became an officially approved treatment for baldness and, later, was approved for over-the-counter sales, making it easier than ever for both men and women to seek a solution to what can be an extremely distressing problem, affecting not only a person’s appearance but their self-confidence as well.