Minoxidil/Rogaine Guide (Hair Regrowth Treatment)

Minoxidil is an FDA approved medication that has widespread usage in treating pattern hair loss or androgenic alopecia in both men and women. It may also be used for treating for spot baldness or alopecia areata, and other causes of hair loss. Additionally it is used in treating high blood pressure.

What is Rogaine?

Rogaine is one of the trademarked or copyright names for Minoxidil, the active drug ingredient. Rogaine is often formulated with different substances such as botanical extracts, emollients, conditioner, and alphahydroxy acid (AHA). However, most Rogaine products contain different percentages of the active ingredient. For instance, common variant of Rogaine contains only 5% of Minoxidil to promote hair follicle activity and hair protein production.

Difference between Minoxidil and Rogaine

Rogaine is one of the brand or trade names for Minoxidil, the active drug ingredient. Furthermore, like many drugs, the generic over the counter medication alternative to Rogaine, shares the same name with the active ingredient, Minoxidil.

Is Minoxidil effective at stopping hair loss? How does it work?

Minoxidil functions as a vasodilator that increases blood flow in some regions of the body. It is worth noting that there is an oral and a topical version of the drug. The topical one is primarily used for hair regrowth treatments while the pill is for high blood pressure therapy or symptomatic hypertension. Often, the pill cause harsh adverse effects so it should be reserved for severe hypertensive patients who do not respond appropriately to maximum therapeutic doses of other antihypertensive medication.

However, when dealing with hair loss easy application to the scalp is necessary. That is why it is available as a spray, as a liquid, and as a topical foam. Applying Minoxidil on your scalp causes a harmless vasodilating effect. This effect allows more nutrients and oxygen to flow through your blood to your hair follicles working as a growth agent.

However, Minoxidil is not known to affect any hormone production but only stimulates new hair growth in men and women experiencing hair loss through vasodilation.

Minoxidil is often most effective in people seeing signs of their first hair loss, people younger than 40 years those who have pattern baldness hair loss running in their families.

When will I see results? How long does minoxidil work?

How long does minoxidil work? Realistically, it may take an estimated four months of continuous usage to see promising results. However, this timeline might be shorter when used in parallel with other medication such as Finasteride/Propecia.

Here are some Minoxidil/Rogaine before and after results via Youtube. Most of them also used Finasteride/Propecia as part of the regimen.

How much dosage to take?

Since it comes in a topical solution and foam, ensure applying when the hair is towel-dried or slightly damp. Then apply one mL of the product 2 times a day directly onto the scalp in the hair loss area making sure to maximize scalp exposure. Note that using more product than the recommended dose or using it more often will not impact results. However, continuous use in the recommended way is essential to improve hair regrowth, while preventing further hair loss.

Does minoxidil cause shedding?

Shedding is completely normal as it is a part of its natural growth cycle and is only temporary when starting the drug regime. There may be more hair shedding during the first few weeks of use. The Minoxidil shedding is, in fact, a good sign, the treatment stimulates the process in which your thinning hair falls out. This is the early phase of hair growth known as the anagen phase where hair follicles to go through the rest of the growth process prematurely before starting to grow again. That shows that drug is beginning to work as the damaged older hairs are falling to allow the regeneration of more robust hair strands. So this is exactly why some people experience hair shedding when they first start using minoxidil.

Minoxidil Side Effects

Studies show that side effects of topical minoxidil should be rare however, common adverse reactions include scalp irritation, redness and unwanted facial hair growth. Other people may also experience a dry, and itchy scalp when using the product. In a report, set of serious side effects recorded from men aged between 17 and 50 included, erectile dysfunction, loss of libido, reduced penile sensitivity, prostatitis, prostatic enlargement and congestion, frequent urination, brain fog, heart palpitations and random panic attacks.

Rogaine or Kirkland minoxidil?

Both products contain Minoxidil as the active ingredient. Therefore, the results between the two should be very similar. What sets them apart would be the different inactive ingredients. So looking out for these would be beneficial to avoiding irritation or allergies.

Liquid or Foam minoxidil?

The liquid formulation contains propylene glycol which may cause unpleasant side effects or an allergic reaction on the application site. So the foam was created mainly for those with sensitive skin or allergic dermatitis. However, if you are not affected by these, then it is really up to personal preference.

How much is Rogaine?

The most afforable GoodRx price for the most common version of generic minoxidil is around $13.80. While a 3 month supply of Rogaine from Walmart costs $45.97. There are also options for Woman’s Rogaine for $45.97 and Men’s extra strength Rogaine for $55.