Minoxidil, best known under the brand name Rogaine, is one of the few hair-loss treatments you can buy without a prescription. It comes in two main strengths, 2% and 5%. Choosing the right one depends mostly on who you are and how you’ll use it.
The short answer
- Rogaine 5% is designed for men with hereditary hair loss at the crown (top) of the head.
- Rogaine 2% is the strength approved for women, and men can use it too.
How minoxidil works
Minoxidil is thought to widen blood vessels around the hair follicles and lengthen the hair’s growth phase. Over time, shrunken follicles can produce thicker, longer hairs. It works best for hereditary thinning (male- or female-pattern hair loss), not for sudden, patchy or unexplained hair loss.
2% vs 5% compared
- Strength: 5% contains more than twice the minoxidil. In studies in men, 5% regrew more hair, and faster, than 2%.
- Who it’s for: 5% solution is labelled for men. Women should use 2% solution (or a 5% foam labelled for women) unless a doctor advises otherwise, because higher strengths are more likely to cause unwanted facial hair.
- Side effects: both can cause scalp itching, dryness or flaking. These are a little more common with 5%.
- How to use: both solutions are applied as 1 mL twice a day to a dry scalp.
How long until you see results?
Be patient. Most people need 2 to 4 months of twice-daily use to notice a difference, and full results can take up to a year. Many people see extra shedding in the first few weeks. That’s normal, and usually a sign that older hairs are making way for new growth. If you see no improvement after 4 months, stop and talk to a doctor.
Minoxidil only works while you use it. If you stop, the regrown hair usually falls out within a few months.
Tips for the best results
- Apply to a dry scalp, directly onto the thinning area, not just the hair.
- Use it every day, twice a day. Missing doses slows results.
- Let it dry fully before styling or going to bed.
- Don’t use more than 1 mL per dose. More product won’t work faster.
- Wash your hands after applying.
Who shouldn’t use minoxidil
- Anyone under 18
- People whose hair loss is sudden, patchy, or linked to childbirth, illness or medication
- Anyone with a red, irritated, infected or sunburned scalp
- People with heart disease should ask a doctor first
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women
Stop using it and see a doctor if you get chest pain, a fast heartbeat, dizziness, or sudden weight gain or swelling of your hands or feet.
Pet warning: minoxidil is very toxic to cats. Keep the bottle out of reach, and don’t let pets lick treated skin or hair.
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This article is for general information only and isn’t a substitute for advice from a doctor or pharmacist. Always read the label before using any medicine.