What is the connection between Rogaine and minoxidil?

Rogaine is a popular brand name for a topical medication that contains the active ingredient minoxidil. Originally developed as an oral treatment for high blood pressure, minoxidil was discovered to have the intriguing side effect of promoting hair growth. The mechanism behind this serendipitous discovery is not fully understood but is believed to involve the dilation of blood vessels in the scalp, which may improve hair follicle function and stimulate hair growth. Consequently, minoxidil was repurposed and approved by the FDA for treating certain types of hair loss under the brand name Rogaine, making it one of the first available treatments for androgenetic alopecia (hereditary hair loss) in both men and women. Rogaine has since become synonymous with over-the-counter hair loss remedies, providing many individuals with a means to combat thinning hair.