How Long Does Minoxidil (Rogaine) Take to Work for Hair Loss? Plus, 5 More Minoxidil FAQs

If you’ve noticed that your hair is thinning or receding, you may be on the search for a safe and effective way to stop or slow it down. Thankfully, there’s good news. There are a number of treatments that can safely and effectively manage hair loss.

One go-to option for treating hair loss in adults is topical minoxidil (Rogaine). Minoxidil not only limits hair loss, it also promotes hair growth. It’s widely available and relatively affordable.

Since topical minoxidil is sold over the counter (OTC), there’s a good chance you’ve seen it on the shelves of your local drug store at one time or another. It’s often featured in television and internet advertisements, too. But if it’s now a medication you’re considering for yourself, it’s more than normal to have questions about it. Here, we’ll address six minoxidil frequently asked questions.

1. How long does minoxidil take to work for hair loss?

It typically takes 2 to 4 months of regular topical minoxidil use to see its effect on hair loss.

What does “regular use” mean? In general, minoxidil shouldn’t be used more than 2 times per day. Using it more often won’t lead to additional hair growth, and it could potentially result in more side effects. And you may not see the same hair growth results if you’re only using it 1 time per day.

And don’t be alarmed if you begin losing more hair during the first 2 weeks of starting minoxidil. Initial hair shedding is one of minoxidil’s side effects that’s not only common, but expected.

The amount of hair regrowth to expect from minoxidil use varies from person to person. It may not work at all for some people, either. That’s why it’s important to contact your healthcare provider if you don’t see hair growth after 4 months of regular minoxidil use.

What about oral minoxidil?

Oral minoxidil is also available. But it isn’t officially FDA approved to treat hair loss. Minoxidil tablets are approved to treat high blood pressure and are only available with a prescription from your healthcare provider.

Despite this, many healthcare providers prescribe oral minoxidil off-label to treat hair loss. Oral minoxidil for hair loss is given at a lower dose than oral minoxidil for high blood pressure. Research indicates that low-dose oral minoxidil is similarly effective to topical minoxidil when treating hair loss.

2. What’s the best way to apply minoxidil?

Applying minoxidil topically is your best bet for treating hair loss. Topical application puts the medication directly at the site of action, making it easier to treat while also reducing the risk of side effects. Available topical minoxidil products include a foam and liquid solution.

Since minoxidil products vary in concentrations and formulations, their application instructions can differ as well. Because of this, it’s important to read and follow your product’s label and instructions carefully.

Minoxidil should only be applied to a dry face or scalp. It’s recommended to massage the product into the affected area of skin — not the hair — until it’s no longer visible. Minoxidil use should be avoided if you have a sunburned or irritated scalp.

To get the best results from minoxidil, you should use it regularly and exactly as directed. Missing doses can impair its effectiveness.

3. Does minoxidil cause side effects?

Minoxidil is a well-studied medication that has been around for decades. It’s considered to be safe to use long term and is generally well tolerated. But just like with all other medications, side effects are still possible. Most side effects occur at the area of application.

The most common side effect that occurs with topical minoxidil is contact dermatitis, which can cause itching and scaling of the scalp. But this typically only occurs with the liquid solution. This is because it contains propylene glycol, an ingredient added to the solution that helps minoxidil absorb into your skin. This additive can cause contact dermatitis and itching in some people. Foam minoxidil products don’t contain propylene glycol, making it a more ideal product for those with sensitive skin.

Other side effects include:

• Temporary hair shedding

• Changes in hair color or texture

• Reversible hair growth in areas you don’t want it

If you’re experiencing bothersome side effects from minoxidil, talk to your healthcare provider to see if another minoxidil product or hair loss remedy would be better for you.

4. Which topical minoxidil product should you choose?

The topical minoxidil product you should choose ultimately depends on your preferences. The foam and solution forms are generally considered similarly effective for treating hair loss. So your choice will likely be based on other differences they have.

One factor to consider, for example, is the other components contained in each product. As mentioned above, the solution form of minoxidil can cause contact dermatitis, while foam products shouldn’t. Foam products are also unscented and shouldn’t have a big effect on how your hair smells.

The application process is another thing to consider when picking a product. The liquid solution comes with either a dropper or a spray bottle, making it easy to apply to smaller or more specific areas of the scalp. The foam products are released from a nozzle, and they’re easier to spread on larger areas of skin. Foam products have also been found to dry quicker.

Either way, the most important thing is to choose a product you believe will be the easiest for you to apply correctly and consistently.

5. Is minoxidil better than finasteride for hair loss?

Probably not. Research suggests that oral finasteride (Propecia) is more effective than topical minoxidil for hair loss. But there are some caveats.

Topical minoxidil products come in two dosages — 2% and 5%. Research has shown that 5% minoxidil is more effective at hair regrowth compared to the 2% version. Even at the higher strength, however, oral finasteride still seems to beat out minoxidil.

Finasteride has its cons, though. It’s only available with a prescription. Finasteride can also cause a number of side effects, many of which are tied to sexual health. What’s more, because it can cause harm to a fetus, finasteride is only approved for use in men. But some women still take it as an off-label use.

In addition, some research shows that combining finasteride with topical minoxidil is more effective than using either of these medications alone. Talk to your healthcare provider to see if this would be an option for you.

6. What happens if you stop applying minoxidil?

Topical minoxidil is only effective at treating hair loss when you’re applying it regularly and consistently. Think of it as an “use it or lose it” treatment; it won’t keep working if you stop applying it.

If you stop applying minoxidil, it’s likely that your hair growth will subside and hair loss will gradually restart. You may experience hair loss of any newly grown hair for about 3 to 4 months after stopping minoxidil.

If you want to see positive results from minoxidil over time, you should continue applying it. And it’s OK to use it long-term — it has been well studied over many years and has been used safely by many people.

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Written by:

Cassandra Pardini, PharmD, MS

Cassandra Pardini has been a freelance medical writer for 7 years. In that time, she has concentrated on publishing articles on medication-related information for healthcare professionals and patients.

Edited by:

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS, is a licensed pharmacist in Arizona, Colorado, and Rhode Island. He has worked in the pharmacy industry for more than 10 years and currently serves as a pharmacy editor for GoodRx.

Reviewed by:

Christina Aungst, PharmD

Christina Aungst, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She began writing for GoodRx Health in 2019, transitioning from freelance writer to editor in 2021.

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