Minoxidil for hair loss

Minoxidil (2% or 5% solution) is a spray or lotion that you put directly on your scalp twice a day. It is available without a prescription.

It is unclear how minoxidil affects hair growth. Minoxidil appears to increase hair follicles and increase the diameter of hair shafts.

Minoxidil has been approved for both men and women.

Minoxidil was originally used to treat high blood pressure. It is now also used to treat inherited hair loss (androgenetic alopecia), the most common cause of hair loss, as well as for other causes of hair loss.

Minoxidil slows hair loss and grows new hair. In men, the 5% solution appears to be more effective than the 2% solution, but it costs more and may have more side effects.¹

Some people who take minoxidil only grow hair that is thin and wispy or similar to peach fuzz.

Minoxidil seems to work best on people younger than 30 years of age who have been losing hair for fewer than 5 years.²

The most common side effects include skin irritation and an itchy scalp. In women, minoxidil may promote facial hair growth, especially on the forehead and cheeks.

If you have heart problems, ask your health professional about using this medication.

See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)

Minoxidil must be used daily. If you stop using minoxidil, any regrown hair will gradually be lost, and within 6 to 12 months the scalp will most likely appear the same as before treatment.

Women may have more hair growth if they take minoxidil with estrogen (such as hormone replacement or birth control pills).

Complete the new medication information form (PDF)(What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.

Citations

1. Olsen EA, et al. (2002). A randomized clinical trial of 5% topical minoxidil versus 2% topical minoxidil and placebo in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in men. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 47: 377–385.

2. Habif TP (2004). Hair diseases. In Clinical Dermatology: A Color Guide to Diagnosis and Therapy, 4th ed., pp. 834–863. Philadelphia: Mosby.