Rogaine is one of the most popular hair loss treatments on the market. It’s a topical solution for hair loss that can be purchased over-the-counter. Its active ingredient is Minoxidil, a proven treatment for hair loss.
With so many different hair loss options currently available on the market, it can be difficult to know what’s going to work for you and which treatment is the most effective. Read on to find out if Rogaine works, who can use it, and when you’re likely to see results.
Rogaine is a topical solution used to treat hair loss and thinning hair. The hair regrowth treatment comes in varying strengths. Rogaine is designed to promote hair growth and uses the active ingredient, Minoxidil.
Minoxidil is a popular hair loss treatment that has been available for more than three decades, starting with its original 2% formula [1]. Unlike some other hair loss medications and treatments, it has been approved to treat both male-pattern baldness and female-pattern hair loss. It can also treat many other types of hair loss, including telogen effluvium and alopecia areata.
Rogaine comes in two solutions for men, 5% unscented foam and 5% solution. For women, they also sell a 5% unscented foam and 2% solution.
Learn more about the differences between Rogaine for men and Rogaine for women.
Although Rogaine has been approved for its hair growth-stimulating effects, the actual way that the product is able to impact hair growth isn’t completely understood [1].
Experts believe that Rogaine’s efficacy lies in the fact that it has anti-inflammatory, vasodilating, and anti-androgenic properties [2]. As it’s part of a family known as ‘vasodilators‘, Minoxidil (Rogaine) is thought to widen the blood vessels, which increases blood flow to the hair follicles and encourages them to grow more hair faster.
Part your hair as much as possible to make sure your scalp is exposed, especially in areas where there is hair thinning and you want to regrow hair. Then put half a capful of Rogaine on your fingertips and massage into the areas where you want to stimulate hair growth. Don’t style or blowdry your hair until the foam has been completely absorbed.
It can take up to 4 months to see any results when you’re using Rogaine. You’ll also have to use this product indefinitely if you want to experience long-term results.
Rogaine is not an overnight solution to baldness, and it won’t necessarily work for all hair loss patients. Rogaine only works for certain types of hair loss conditions and works best when you keep up with regular application. As soon as you miss a few days or weeks, you may start noticing your hair growth slowing down again.
It’s also possible that you might see a big improvement after a few months of use, which then starts declining over time [2].
Some hair loss medications like Finasteride and Dutasteride cannot be used by women because of the impact on their hormones. Fortunately, for women who are experiencing hair loss, Rogaine is a safe alternative.
In a 2004 study that looked into the efficacy of both 5% topical Rogaine and 2% topical Rogaine, both products were able to help improve hair count in a group of women who were experiencing hair loss [3]. The 5% solution was more effective than the 2% solution.
There have been quite a few studies that have proven Rogaine’s effectiveness at treating male pattern baldness.
In one four-month study [4], 773 men applied 1ml of Minoxidil twice a day to areas of their scalp where they were experiencing hair loss. At the end of the trial, 399 out of 725 subjects found the treatment to be effective. 54 subjects found it to be very effective.
Similarly in another study, 9 men applied 5% Minoxidil foam, twice daily for eight weeks [5]. By the end of the study, 44% had experienced hair growth.
Rogaine is generally a very safe and tolerable treatment however, some of the side effects that can occur include:
Most people who take Rogaine will not have to worry about any of these side effects as they will tend to clear up after a few weeks of use. If the issues persist, or you’re having a severe reaction, we’d recommend speaking to your GP.
In the UK, Rogaine is sold under the brand name Regaine, which you can purchase online and in pharmacies.
Prices range from £35 for a one-month supply of the 5% foam to £172 for a one-year supply of foam.
Although some promising studies show how effective Rogaine can be, it may not work for everyone. There are many reasons why your hair could be falling out, and some of these may not be fixed by topical treatments. Similarly, if you have androgenetic alopecia but your hair loss is extensive, it’s unlikely that Rogaine alone can tackle it.
If you’ve tried Rogaine but it hasn’t worked for you, there are several other medications and treatments you can try. But, if you’ve exhausted all your options, you could also consider getting a hair transplant. Hair transplants are a popular route to achieving a full head of hair for the long term.
At Wimpole Clinic, we’ve helped hundreds of men and women regain their confidence and we’d love to help you do the same. To find out more about whether a hair transplant is the right next step for you, book your free consultation online or face-to-face at one of our clinic locations today.
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