Hair growth serum
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- Men's Rogaine 5% Minoxidil Foam. Best for: Men with hair loss on the top of the scalp. See options on Amazon
- Women's Rogaine 5% Minoxidil Foam. Best for: Women with thinning on the top of the scalp. See options on Amazon
- Men's Rogaine Extra Strength 5% solution. Best for: Men who prefer a dropper liquid. See options on Amazon
Drug treatment vs cosmetic serum
Minoxidil products carry a Drug Facts label that names the active ingredient and its use. Rogaine's labels list minoxidil 5% with the purpose of hair regrowth treatment, to regrow hair on the top of the scalp.
Before you buy any hair growth serum, check whether it has a Drug Facts panel with an active ingredient and a stated use, as minoxidil does. If it does not, its growth claims have not been labeled the way a drug's are, so read them with care. The AAD says hair loss shampoos, a related category, cannot regrow hair. For thinning hair care, see our shampoo for thinning hair guide.
Minoxidil products compared
| Product | Strength and form | Label directions |
|---|---|---|
| Men's Rogaine foam | Minoxidil 5% foam | Half a capful 2 times a day |
| Women's Rogaine foam | Minoxidil 5% foam | Half a capful once daily |
| Men's Rogaine Extra Strength solution | Minoxidil 5% solution | One mL with dropper 2 times a day |
Details are from the DailyMed drug facts labels. Each label says to apply directly to the scalp in the hair loss area, that using more or more often will not improve results, and that continued use is necessary to keep regrowth, or hair loss will begin again.
How long it takes
- Men's foam: results may occur at 2 months with twice a day use, but some men may need at least 4 months. Stop and ask a doctor if you do not see regrowth in 4 months.
- Women's foam: results may occur at 3 months with once daily use, but some women may need at least 6 months. Stop and ask a doctor if there is no regrowth in 6 months.
- The AAD's view: for female pattern hair loss, you will need to use minoxidil continuously for about six to 12 months before you know how well it will work.
The labels also note that the amount of regrowth is different for each person and that the product will not work for everyone.
Who should not use it
The foam labels say not to use minoxidil if:
- You have no family history of hair loss, or your hair loss is sudden and/or patchy.
- You do not know the reason for your hair loss.
- You are under 18 years of age.
- Your scalp is red, inflamed, infected, irritated or painful, or you use other medicines on the scalp.
The men's label adds that it is not for frontal baldness or a receding hairline, and the women's label says not to use it if hair loss is associated with childbirth. Ask a doctor before use if you have heart disease. Both labels say it may be harmful if used when pregnant or breast-feeding.
Warnings and side effects
- Flammable. The foam is extremely flammable; avoid fire, flame or smoking during and right after applying.
- Stop and ask a doctor for chest pain, rapid heartbeat, faintness or dizziness, sudden unexplained weight gain, swelling of hands or feet, scalp irritation or redness, or unwanted facial hair growth.
- Changes in hair. Some people have experienced changes in hair color and/or texture.
- Keep it on the scalp. Do not apply on other parts of the body, avoid the eyes, and wash your hands well after massaging it in.
See a dermatologist first
The AAD says other causes of hair loss can look like female pattern hair loss, that each cause requires different treatment, and that treatment works best when started at the first sign of hair loss. A board-certified dermatologist can confirm the cause before you commit to months of daily use.
For other approaches people ask about, see our red light therapy cap guide, biotin guide and scalp massager guide.
What to look for when you buy
Men's Rogaine 5% Minoxidil Foam
Best for: Men with hair loss on the top of the scalp
Its label lists minoxidil 5%, half a capful twice a day, with results possible at 2 months.
Watch out: Not for frontal baldness or a receding hairline; extremely flammable.
See options on AmazonWomen's Rogaine 5% Minoxidil Foam
Best for: Women with thinning on the top of the scalp
Its label lists minoxidil 5%, half a capful once daily, with results possible at 3 months.
Watch out: Not for hair loss associated with childbirth; ask a doctor if pregnant or breast-feeding.
See options on AmazonMen's Rogaine Extra Strength 5% solution
Best for: Men who prefer a dropper liquid
Its label lists minoxidil 5% solution, one mL with dropper 2 times a day.
Watch out: Flammable; for use by men only.
See options on AmazonQuestions people ask
- Do hair growth serums work?
- Minoxidil carries a drug label for regrowing hair on the top of the scalp; check other serums for a Drug Facts panel before trusting growth claims.
- How long does minoxidil take to work?
- Labels say results may occur at 2 months for men and 3 months for women; some need 4 or 6 months.
- What happens if I stop minoxidil?
- The labels say continued use is necessary to keep regrowth, or hair loss will begin again.
- Can women use men's minoxidil?
- The men's labels say for use by men only; Women's Rogaine has its own once daily directions.
- Who should not use minoxidil?
- Labels list people under 18, sudden or patchy hair loss, unknown cause, an irritated scalp, and say ask a doctor if you have heart disease.
Sources
- Men's Rogaine Minoxidil Unscented Foam label (dailymed.nlm.nih.gov), DailyMed, U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Women's Rogaine Unscented Foam label (dailymed.nlm.nih.gov), DailyMed, U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Men's Rogaine Extra Strength Unscented Solution label (dailymed.nlm.nih.gov), DailyMed, U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Thinning hair and hair loss: Could it be female pattern hair loss? (aad.org), American Academy of Dermatology