Minoxidil for Hair Loss

Minoxidil has been scientifically proven to slow down and lessen the effects of hair loss. This medication works by strengthening follicles and promoting both hair regrowth and new hair growth.

Disclaimer: This content is meant for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should consult with a registered specialist before beginning any new treatment plan.

Overview of Minoxidil

Researchers initially developed minoxidil in the 1970s as an antihypertensive agent to treat high blood pressure. However, it attracted interest as a potential treatment to stimulate follicles when patients receiving this medication developed generalised hypertrichosis (excessive hair growth on the body) as a side effect.

This observation led to the creation of a topical formulation with minoxidil as the active ingredient. It has since become the first-line treatment of male and female pattern hair loss (also called androgenetic alopecia or hereditary hair loss).

The medication is sold under the common brand name Rogaine as a hair loss treatment.

How Minoxidil Works to Promote Hair Growth

Minoxidil’s exact mechanism of action is unknown. However, trials have shown that minoxidil can slow hair loss and stimulate hair growth in cases of both male and female pattern baldness in several ways:

Minoxidil prolongs the anagen phase of the hair growth cycle
Reverses follicle miniaturisation
Enhances blood flow around the hair follicles by dilating the blood vessels
Stimulates follicle movement to the growth phase of the hair growth cycle

According to other hypotheses, minoxidil may also have proliferative, anti-androgenic (the blocking of androgen hormones), and anti-inflammatory effects.

Efficacy of Minoxidil to Stimulate Hair Growth

Several meta-analysis studies have confirmed the high quality of evidence for using minoxidil to treat androgenetic alopecia (AGA) in both men and women. Despite minoxidil’s effectiveness in hair regrowth, it doesn’t work for everyone and every type of hair loss.

In one study, dermatologists evaluated the effectiveness of minoxidil 5% topical solution in 984 men with hereditary hair loss. After one year, they reported that balding areas on the scalp had become smaller in 62% of the patients, unchanged in 35.1%, and more significant in 2.9%.

Regarding minoxidil’s effectiveness in stimulating new hair growth, the investigators found it:

very effective in 15.9% of patients
effective in 47.8%
moderately effective in 20.6%
ineffective in 15.7%

This indicates an overall efficacy rate of 84.3% for the minoxidil topical solution.

However, it’s key to note that patients should be treated for at least six months before being assessed by a hair restoration physician.

Additionally, minoxidil hair growth treatment should be prolonged indefinitely to maintain the efficacy of positive results. Minoxidil discontinuation will cause acute hair shedding after three to four months.

Our patient achieved great results after using minoxidil consistently for 9 months.

Oral Minoxidil for Hair Restoration in Men & Women

Oral minoxidil contains the active ingredient minoxidil in tablet form.
This hair loss medicine is not officially approved to treat male pattern baldness, so its use is off-label.

However, the results of small studies have shown that minoxidil pills for hair loss are not inferior to topical minoxidil. In fact, when prescribed appropriately, oral minoxidil tends to be more effective than its topical counterpart.

Oral minoxidil can be an alternative treatment in healthy men and women who cannot tolerate or comply with the topical solution. Minoxidil for men is also considered for those concerned about or have already experienced sexual side effects from finasteride medication for hair loss.

Oral Minoxidil Dosage & Consumption

When writing an oral minoxidil prescription, a medical professional will specify the exact dosage their patient should consume.

For men, the recommended dosage ranges from 1.25 to 5mg.
The minoxidil dose for hair loss in women is lower and ranges from 0,25 to 2.5 mg daily.

Minoxidil tablets for hair loss are always prescribed as a low-dose medication. [hide behind read more] Oral minoxidil hair regrowth prescriptions are far below the 10 to 40mg average daily dosage (with a maximum of 100mg per day) used for hypertension. This means they can be prescribed for long-term usage — an essential part of maintaining the hair growth effects of minoxidil.

Oral Minoxidil Side Effects

As with its topical counterpart, common side effects of oral minoxidil are mild hair loss through shedding (usually within the first six weeks of treatment) and hypertrichosis.

Higher doses of minoxidil increase the likelihood of hypertrichosis occurring. However, this side effect will dissipate within one to three months after a patient stops using the oral treatment.

Select patients also experience the following side effects from the medication:

Lower limb oedema — fluid retention that causes weight gain or lower leg, feet and ankle swelling.
Postural hypotension — low blood pressure that is caused by the transition from sitting or lying down to standing.
Tachycardia — a fast-paced heartbeat that exceeds 100 beats per minute.

Both postural hypertension and tachycardia can cause dizziness and lightheadedness. Tachycardia can also result in chest pain or difficulty breathing due to shortness of breath.

If patients experience any of the above-mentioned side effects, they should seek medical help as soon as possible.

Topical Minoxidil for Hair Follicle Stimulation & Growth

Topical minoxidil is one of the primary ways to treat hair loss. This FDA-approved and UK-licensed medication is available in two easy-to-use forms: a solution and a foam. Users simply apply the minoxidil topical solution to areas of the scalp with thinning hair or hair loss.

A sulfotransferase enzyme found in hair follicles then works to activate and effectively absorb the minoxidil. While this enzyme is always found in the liver, its presence in hair follicles differs from person to person.

As such, minoxidil topical solution results differ between patients and if there is little to no efficacy, a doctor may prescribe an oral minoxidil treatment instead.

Topical Minoxidil Dosage & Application

Dosages for topical minoxidil differ according to the patient’s sex and whether the minoxidil is a solution or foam.

In men, the recommended dose of minoxidil solution for hair growth is 1ml twice daily of the 5% solution. The dosage for minoxidil 5% foam is half a capful twice daily.
For women, the recommended dosage is 1ml of 2% minoxidil solution twice daily or half a capful of the 5% foam formulation once a day.

Topical Minoxidil Side Effects

One of the more common side effects some patients notice is a transitory increase in hair shedding at the beginning of their Minoxidil treatment plan. However, this usually only lasts for a few weeks and should not cause concern.

Minoxidil solution containing propylene glycol can also cause skin irritation or an allergic reaction. Patients may switch to the minoxidil topical foam formulation if the affected area becomes irritated. Unlike the solution, this foam does not contain propylene glycol.

Other possible side effects of minoxidil include:

Scalp dryness and dandruff can occur as the alcohol-based vehicle in the solution evaporates, drawing moisture from the scalp
Contact dermatitis and pruritus — a non-contagious but itchy and uncomfortable rash caused by contact with an allergen or irritant.
Erythema — redness of the skin resulting from increased dilation of the capillaries.
Facial hypertrichosis — unwanted hair growth on the face, which usually resolves one to three months after drug discontinuation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use both topical and oral minoxidil?

No, you should not use topical and oral minoxidil at the same time. Both formulations of this hair loss medication have various side effects. Applying or consuming more than the recommended amount can increase the severity of or result in unwanted side effects.

However, non-simultaneous usage is possible. If your body does not respond well to topical minoxidil solution or foam, your doctor may write you a prescription for oral minoxidil instead.

Before and After Results after using Minoxidil

Who cannot use minoxidil?

Both forms of minoxidil have various potential side effects and, depending on the patient, can be unsuitable for use.

Minoxidil can be especially unsafe for patients with:

A history of heart problems, such as heart disease or failure
Existing hepatic (related to the kidneys) or renal (relating to the liver) conditions
Very low blood pressure
Pheochromocytoma (an adrenal gland tumour)

It is essential to consult with a doctor to determine a treatment plan that takes all factors into consideration. Ensure you disclose all of your health conditions, allergies, and the current medications you are taking during your initial medical consultation.

What alternative medications are there to minoxidil?

Besides minoxidil, there are two other drugs predominantly used to treat male pattern baldness and hair loss — finasteride and dutasteride.

Originally developed to combat benign prostatic hyperplasia (an enlarged prostate), these medicines function by preventing the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT) — a male hormone that shrinks hair follicles and results in the prevention of hair growth.

Can minoxidil topical be used on other parts of the body?

No, unless directed by your physician. Even though it can sometimes cause hypertrichosis on the body or face, minoxidil topical solution for hair loss should only be used on the scalp in the exact amount prescribed by your doctor.

Using a higher concentration of minoxidil foam or cream, using it too often, or using it on other parts of the body increases the chances of it being absorbed through the skin and affecting your heart and blood vessels with unwanted effects.

Read more about the uses of minoxidil for beard growth and body hair growth.

How long does minoxidil take to work?

For some, minoxidil hair regrowth results have appeared in as little as eight weeks following a regular dosing schedule.

However, others might have to wait a few months — up to 16 weeks — before they start seeing results.

What should I do if I accidentally miss a dose of minoxidil?

In the case of a missed dose of minoxidil, there are two ways to proceed.

If it is not very long after the original time you were supposed to have your minoxidil, you can still take it.
However, if it is close to the scheduled time for your next dose, skip the previous one entirely. It is essential that you do not double your next dose to compensate for a missed dose, as doing so could lead to several unwanted side effects.

About the Medical Reviewer

This content was written and medically reviewed by Dr. Epameinondas Bonaros, a hair restoration specialist based in Glasgow.

Dr. Bonaros is a GMC-Registered Doctor (No. 7566786), a Diplomate of the ABHRS, and a Full Member of the ISHRS. Dr. Bonaros personally performs every FUE procedure at his clinic to ensure the highest standards of safety and clinical excellence.

Last medically reviewed: December 2025

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Dr Bonaros is an incredibly talent doctor in his field and has provided me with a wonderful hair transplant result. Finding information and pictures for female hair transplants was really hard. Hair is such a defining part of us all that is not realised until you start to lose your hair.
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I’m now 4 months out and have loads of hair growth, my confidence has been renewed massively and my only regret is not having the treatment sooner!

Thanks again

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Response from the owner:Dear Graham,

Thank you for your wonderful review of Dr Bonaros hair transplant clinic in Glasgow. We're delighted to hear that you found our team professional, reassuring, and kind throughout your experience. It means a lot coming from someone with your background in an operating theatre environment.

We're thrilled that you're already seeing significant hair growth and that your confidence has been renewed. It's always rewarding to know our efforts have had such a positive impact. We appreciate your kind words and for entrusting us with your care.

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I had no complications during or after the transplant, and healing with a lot easier than I expected. Patience and time are the main factors for the months after your transplant.

I am over the moon with my results, I am so much more confident and my self-esteem has come on in leaps and bounds.

Thank you so much for giving me a new lease on life!

Response from the owner:Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience at our hair transplant clinic in Glasgow. We're thrilled to hear that you had a painless and smooth procedure with Dr. Bonaros and his team. It's wonderful to know that you felt well-informed and cared for throughout your journey with us.

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Response from the owner:Thank you so much for sharing your experience! We're delighted to hear that you are more than satisfied with the results of your hair transplant at our Glasgow hair transplant clinic.
At Dr Bonaros' Clinic, we aim to foster a welcoming and professional environment for all our patients, and your kind words genuinely affirm our dedication.

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The Team at Dr. Bonaros' Clinic

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Would highly recommend to anyone dealing with hair loss. Thank you!

Response from the owner:Thank you very much for your lovely review! We’re delighted to hear about your positive experience at our Glasgow hair transplant and hair treatments clinic. Our aim is to provide efficient and affordable solutions for hair loss, and we’re pleased to know you’ve found a treatment plan that suits you. Your increased confidence is exactly why we do what we do.

Dr. Bonaros and the entire team are dedicated to understanding each patient’s unique needs and making them feel welcome and supported throughout their hair restoration journey. If you have any more questions or need further assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Thank you again for your kind words and recommendation. We're here to help anyone dealing with hair loss, and we appreciate your trust in us!

Best wishes,
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