From rosemary oil to biotin and castor oil, there's no shortage of ingredients that promise to deliver results to those experiencing hair loss or thinning. But anyone who has gone through the trial and error process of testing out some of the many hair growth products on the market knows that not every ingredient lives up to its claims.
That's why we always turn to the experts to hear about the things that they actually recommend. And one of those is Minoxidil. As someone who has spent the last few years covering hair loss, by far, it is the ingredient that comes up the most in my conversations with experts.
But what is it? And how do you know if it will work for you? We spoke with top dermatologists about everything you need to know.
What is Minoxidil?
Minoxidil, more commonly known by its brand name, Rogaine, comes in both oral and topical forms. According to dermatologist Dr. Brendan Camp, oral Minoxidil is a prescription medication that is typically used to treat hypertension. However, one of the side effects is hair growth, so it is sometimes prescribed off-label for that purpose.
Topical Minoxidil, which is often a liquid or foam, is available over the counter — and tends to be the most commonly recommended choice for people looking for a non-prescription option.
"When topical Minoxidil was first developed as a hair growth medication, there were not many FDA-approved alternatives on the market," says dermatologist Dr. Blair Murphy-Rose. "It is widely available without a prescription and generally well-tolerated. It likely became one of the most commonly recommended OTC hair growth solutions for these reasons."
Does Minoxidil really regrow hair?
There's a reason why it comes so highly recommended — it really can work! "Results vary, but many do see significant growth with consistent use for at least eight to 10 months," says Murphy-Rose.
Minoxidil is marketed specifically for androgenetic alopecia, which is the most common type of hair loss in both men and women, Camp says. But it can also be used off-label to address other types of loss. According to Murphy-Rose, this includes most kinds of hair loss, other than that caused by scarring.
It tends to be the most effective during the earlier stages of hair loss, Murphy-Rose adds. "It is least likely to be effective if you have severe hair loss, complete baldness and/or scarring."
Scalp hair grows at a rate of about a centimeter per month, so it will likely take at least three to four months before you start to see results, she says.
Here, we're sharing some of the expert- and editor-approved products that feature the ingredient.
Best products for hair loss with Minoxidil
Hers Minoxidil Topical Hair Regrowth Solution
- Drops allow targeted treatment
- Formulated for women
- 1-month supply
Size: 2 oz. | Formula: Liquid drops | Strength: 2% | Frequency: Twice per day
Maria Elizabeth, a hairstylist and the founder and owner of Salon DeZEN previously recommended this formula from Hers. “The 2% minoxidil in this solution actively promotes hair growth by shedding old hairs and replacing them with new, stronger ones,” she shared.
Rogaine 5% Minoxidil Foam For Women
- Impressive reviewer results
- Foam, so it doesn't run
- Have to consistently use it
Size: 2.11 oz. | Formula: Foam | Strength: 5% | Frequency: Once per day
Dr. Orit Markowitz, dermatologist and founder of OptiSkin, previously told us that Rogaine is a "tried-and-true solution" to help tackle hair loss. “The foam penetrates your scalp and targets your hair follicle to reactivate the growth cycle.”
According to the brand, the formula contains Rogaine's Tricho-Prime technology, which is designed to condition the scalp to help prevent the dryness and irritation that can sometimes come with using the ingredient as well as exfoliate the skin to help with absorption.
BosleyMD Minoxidil Spray
- Easy to use
- Dries quickly
- Can make hair "crispy"
Size: 2 oz., 2 count | Formula: Spray | Strength: 2% | Frequency: Once per day
"I used this a few years ago for three months and definitely saw an improvement in baby hair growth and felt like it was working pretty quickly," says editor Vivien Moon. "I didn't feel any side effects or had anything concerning happen so I would recommend it to others looking for a solution. It's easy to apply and I especially loved that it only took a minute to apply it once a day (that's what I was doing at least)."
While she saw positive results, she shares that she stopped using it, because her hair is thin and gets greasy easily so she had to wash it more when using.
Men’s Rogaine 5% Minoxidil Foam
- Foam is easy to apply
- Unscented
- May take 4 months for results
Size: 2.11 oz., 3 count | Formula: Foam | Strength: 5% | Frequency: Twice per day
This foam formula from Rogaine is designed specifically for men. According to the brand, it's ideal for those in the early stages of thinning and should be used twice daily for the best results.
Does Minoxidil have side effects?
Before you start using Minoxidil, you should know that there are a couple of potential side effects you should keep in mind. Some common effects include potential scalp irritation, unwanted hair growth and flaking, Murphy-Rose tells us.
You also may notice an increase in the amount of hair you're losing in the beginning. “One of the common side effects is increased shedding when you first start it,” Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Robert Finney, previously shared. “For people who are already shedding, it can be a little alarming. So I always counsel that it’s normal, it’s just kicking your hair that was about to go into the resting phase out. It’s going to regrow, and it’s going to regrow healthier.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Products featuring Minoxidil should typically be used once or twice per day, per the instructions on the label.
According to Murphy-Rose, you should be apply the product directly to your scalp. "Gently massage and leave on to dry," she instructs.
"Those who are trying to conceive, pregnant, or nursing should not use topical minoxidil or discuss its use with their healthcare provider prior to use," Camp says.
While it's not FDA-approved for eyebrow growth, Murphy-Rose says that it can be used in the area to boost hair growth. "It is important to be aware of potential side effects including unwanted hair growth in surrounding areas and risk of irritating the delicate skin around the eye as it was not designed for this use."
How we chose
After hearing many experts talk about the benefits of Minoxidil for hair growth, we wanted to do a deeper dive into the ingredient to share everything you need to know about how — and why — to use it. All of the products featured have either been recommended to us by experts or have been used by our own editors.
Meet the experts
- Dr. Brendan Camp, MD, is a double board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in New York City. He specializes in managing acne, rosacea, eczema, warts, psoriasis, moles, and skin cancer.
- Dr. Blair Murphy-Rose, MD, is a cosmetic and medical dermatologist specializing in facial rejuvenation at Newport Beach Dermatology & Plastic Surgery and clinical instructor of dermatology at Cornell. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery and the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery. She is the founder of Skincare Junkie.
- Maria Elizabeth is a hairstylist and the founder and owner of Salon DeZEN. She has over 20 years of experience
- Dr. Orit Markowitz, MD, is a New York-based board-certified dermatologist and CEO and founder of Markowitz Medical. She’s known for her work in minimally invasive diagnostic and treatment protocols for skin cancer.
- Dr. Robert Finney is a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City who specializes in hair loss and cosmetics.
