Minoxidil

Key facts

• Minoxidil (sold as Rogaine and generics) is a topical treatment applied to the scalp to slow hair thinning and regrow hair in male and female pattern hair loss.
• Apply to a dry scalp once or twice daily depending on the strength; visible results take 3 to 4 months, with fuller results by 6 to 12 months.
• Minoxidil only maintains the hair it regrows for as long as you keep using it. If you stop, any regrown hair is typically shed within a few months.
• A temporary increase in shedding is common in the first 2 to 6 weeks as old hairs are pushed out to make way for new growth; this usually settles with continued use.

What minoxidil treats

Minoxidil treats androgenetic alopecia (male and female pattern hair loss) affecting the scalp, including thinning at the crown in men and general thinning in women. It is not established for eyebrows, beards or other body hair, and it does not treat hair loss caused by underlying illness, nutrient deficiency or scarring conditions.

How minoxidil works

Applied to the scalp, minoxidil widens small blood vessels around hair follicles and appears to prolong the growth phase of the hair cycle, pushing miniaturised follicles into producing thicker, longer hairs. The exact mechanism is not fully understood, but the effect depends on continued, regular application.

Before you take it

• Apply only to a healthy, dry scalp; avoid broken, sunburnt or irritated skin, and keep it away from the eyes, nose, mouth and other mucous membranes.
• Do not apply it to other body areas (eyebrows, beard, other skin) unless your specific product is labelled for that use.
• Tell your prescriber about heart disease or low blood pressure before using minoxidil, particularly higher-strength formulations.
• Wash your hands after applying it, and avoid combining it with other topical scalp treatments unless your prescriber advises it.

Side effects

Common effects include an itchy or dry scalp, mild redness where applied, and unwanted fine hair growth on nearby skin, such as the forehead, if the product spreads there.

Stop and seek urgent medical care for any of these:

• A fast or irregular heartbeat, or chest pain.
• Swelling of the hands, feet or ankles.
• Severe dizziness or fainting.

Safety essentials

• Minoxidil only works while you keep using it: stopping leads to loss of the regrown hair within a few months, so plan for ongoing use if it works for you.
• Expect a temporary increase in shedding in the first weeks; this is a normal sign the hair cycle is resetting, not a reason to stop.
• Apply to the scalp only. If it accidentally contacts other skin, unwanted hair growth can follow there too.
• Seek medical advice before using it if you have any heart condition, since absorbed minoxidil can affect heart rate and blood pressure.

This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.