Key takeaways:
Topical minoxidil (Rogaine) is an over-the-counter medication that can treat hair loss in adults. It comes as a liquid solution and foam in 2% and 5% formulations. Minoxidil also comes as an oral tablet that’s FDA approved to treat high blood pressure. At lower doses, though, it’s sometimes prescribed off-label to help with hair loss.
Initial results from minoxidil can usually be seen after 2 to 4 months of regular use. For best results, you should carefully follow your product’s instructions and use it consistently. Hair shedding is normal during the first couple weeks of using minoxidil and for 3 to 4 months after stopping it.
Choosing between the foam and liquid solution generally comes down to personal preference. Foam products are unscented and tend to cause less scalp irritation, but the solution is more ideal for smaller areas of skin. For people who don’t respond to topical minoxidil, oral minoxidil is another option to consider.
With GoodRx for Hair Loss, generic finasteride costs as low as $16 per month, and generic minoxidil costs as low as $20 per month.
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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. Oral minoxidil is another option, but it's only available with a prescription.
If minoxidil is now a medication you’re considering for yourself, it’s more than normal to have questions about it. Here, we’ll address seven 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. You may see more significant results set in after 6 months or longer.
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.
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 a healthcare professional 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 a healthcare professional.
Despite this, many healthcare professionals prescribe oral minoxidil off-label to treat hair loss — especially if someone doesn't respond well to topical minoxidil or can't use it. Oral minoxidil for hair loss is given at a lower dose (0.5 mg to 5 mg) than oral minoxidil for high blood pressure (5 mg or higher).
Research indicates that low-dose oral minoxidil is similarly effective to topical minoxidil when treating hair loss. It also operates on a relatively similar timeline to see results.
2. What’s the best way to apply topical minoxidil?
Applying minoxidil topically is a good 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.
Foams vs. liquids: Topical minoxidil comes in different dosage forms. Dive into the main distinctions between them, courtesy of GoodRx pharmacists and physicians.
Minoxidil side effects: Are you experiencing scalp irritation after starting minoxidil? Here’s a list of potential minoxidil side effects and how to manage them.
Minoxidil tablets: Oral minoxidil is FDA approved to manage high blood pressure, not hair loss. But can this formulation treat hair loss anyway?
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.
If you receive a prescription for oral minoxidil instead, your prescriber will tell you how and when to take it. It's typically taken once daily for hair loss.
3. Does minoxidil cause side effects?
Topical 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 topical minoxidil side effects may include:
Temporary hair shedding
Changes in hair color or texture
Reversible hair growth in areas you don’t want it
By comparison, oral minoxidil side effects may include:
Hair growth in unintended areas of the body
Swelling or puffiness around the eyes
Fluid retention or swelling
Feeling lightheaded or dizzy
Faster heart rate
Headaches
Lower blood pressure
If you’re experiencing bothersome side effects from minoxidil, talk to your healthcare professional to see if another 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.
In cases where topical minoxidil isn’t effective, tolerated, or feasible to use, some healthcare professionals may recommend oral minoxidil as an alternative. But it's somewhat more likely to cause systemic (body-wide) side effects compared to topical minoxidil.
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 a few caveats.
Topical minoxidil products come in two doses: 2% and 5%. Research has shown that 5% minoxidil is more effective at hair regrowth compared to the 2% version. Even at the higher doses, however, oral finasteride still seems to beat out topical minoxidil.
Low-dose oral minoxidil has also emerged as a well-tolerated option. Head-to-head studies suggest its effectiveness and safety are similar to the topical formulations, but a prescription is required for oral use.
Finasteride also has its drawbacks. 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 off-label.
Some research also shows that combining finasteride with topical minoxidil is more effective than using either of these medications alone. Oral minoxidil and finasteride is another beneficial combination to consider. A healthcare professional can help you decide which option — or combination — fits your needs best.
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. The same is true for oral minoxidil.
If you stop using 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 taking 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.
7. Can you use minoxidil even if you’re not balding?
Minoxidil is typically used to treat hair loss, not prevent it. Still, some people use minoxidil without having noticeable hair loss — hoping to promote faster hair growth or an even thicker head of hair.
However, since minoxidil can cause initial shedding and doesn't necessarily thicken fine hair, it’s not recommended to use minoxidil in this manner on your own. It’s best to talk to a healthcare professional before doing so. This is especially true if you're not experiencing hair loss and don’t have a family history of it either.
How to save on minoxidil
There are ways to save on hair-loss medications, including minoxidil:
Save with GoodRx for Hair Loss: You can pay as low as $16 for generic finasteride and as low as $20 for generic minoxidil. That’s one clear price that includes the telehealth visit, medication, and delivery.
Save with GoodRx at the pharmacy: Anyone with a valid prescription can use GoodRx to purchase generic finasteride for as low as $9.30 per month. Oral minoxidil may cost as low as $10.47 per month, and a can of topical minoxidil may cost as low as $9.93.
The bottom line
Minoxidil (Rogaine) is a medication that treats hair loss. Most people apply it to the skin as a solution or foam, but oral tablets are also available. Minoxidil takes about 2 to 4 months of consistent use to see results. Side effects of topical minoxidil are usually limited to the area of application and typically involve irritation of the scalp. Oral minoxidil can cause side effects such as hair growth in other areas of the body, puffiness around the eyes, and lower blood pressure. Whether you choose to use the solution, foam, or oral tablets is based on your personal preferences and treatment history.
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References
Arca, E., et al. (2004). An open, randomized, comparative study of oral finasteride and 5% topical minoxidil in male androgenetic alopecia. Dermatology.
Hu, R., et al. (2015). Combined treatment with oral finasteride and topical minoxidil in male androgenic alopecia: A randomized and comparative study in Chinese patients. Dermatologic Therapy.
Johnson, H., et al. (2025). Effectiveness of combined oral minoxidil and finasteride in male androgenetic alopecia: A retrospective service evaluation. Cureus.
Kenvue Brands. (2024). Mens Rogaine extra strength unscented- minoxidil solution [package insert]. DailyMed.
MedlinePlus. (2017). Minoxidil topical.
Patel, P., et al. (2023). Minoxidil. StatPearls.
Purnak, T., et al. (2011). Liquid formulation of minoxidil versus its foam formulation. Indian Journal of Dermatology.
Ramos, P. M., et al. (2020). Minoxidil 1 mg oral versus minoxidil 5% topical solution for the treatment of female-pattern hair loss: A randomized clinical trial. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Suchonwanit, P., et al. (2019). Minoxidil and its use in hair disorders: A review. Drug Design, Development and Therapy.
