Rogaine: What You Need to Know

Pros

• Rogaine has decades of research and clinical studies to back up its claims. And because it has FDA approval for hair growth, you can trust that it has been vetted by experts and proven to work.
• Rogaine does not contain sodium lauryl sulfate, so it’s safe for color-treated or chemically treated hair. Generally, you should avoid shampoos or hair products with SLS if you’re concerned about hair loss.
• Its foam formula is free of potentially irritating propylene glycol, so it should be gentle on sensitive scalps.

Cons

• There are some side effects. RealSelf members have reported headaches, allergic reactions, and scalp irritation. High blood pressure can also occur.
• Low blood pressure can also occur because oral minoxidil is a blood pressure lowering medication.
• It has to be applied once or twice a day (depending on the formula you choose), which can be inconvenient. 
• Shedding can occur in the first few months of use, before the effects kick in. 
• Hair growth stops when you stop applying Rogaine, so you’ll need to use it indefinitely if you want to maintain results. Over time, the cost can add up.
• Rogaine works best for those with a family history of hair loss (such as male-pattern baldness) and may not help for other types of hair loss.

A one-month supply costs about $30, though it can be cheaper if you buy several months of product at once. 

You can also subscribe and save up to 25% a month through the company’s website.

Yes. Its active ingredient, minoxidil, is the only ingredient approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to improve hair regrowth in men and women. 

While the manufacturer sells men’s and women’s versions of their products, there is no difference in their contents, and any attempt to differentiate the two is purely a marketing and branding effort. Los Angeles hair restoration surgeon Dr. Jae Pak just recommends the men’s products to his female patients, and often suggests women look for generic versions, which are sometimes cheaper. However, there is some controversy around pricing for generic minoxidil. According to a study published in JAMA Dermatology, women often pay more for generic minoxidil. Beware of gender-based price discrimination when shopping for hair regrowth products.

Instructions for application are the same for both men and women, and you can continue to use your usual shampoo and conditioner. Rogaine is applied twice a day.

• First, make sure your hair is completely dry. Part your hair to expose your scalp. You can use a wide-toothed comb instead of your hand, if you want. 
• For foam Rogaine, hold the can vertically and press the nozzle to dispense the recommended dose of 1 g, or half a capful. With the solution, apply 1 mL from the provided dropper. There’s no need to use more. 
• Rub the foam or drop the solution into the hair loss area and gently massage into your scalp, covering the entire area. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water when you’re done. 

Once the Rogaine dries, you can style your hair as you normally would. Avoid getting your hair wet for four hours after application, if possible.

Various Rogaine products made with different concentrations of minoxidil are available for men and women. They include:

• Men's 5% Minoxidil Unscented Foam is clinically proven to regrow hair by 25% in the first three months of use. It has a lower risk of irritation than the solution does and requires application twice a day.
• Men's 5% Minoxidil Solution offers the same concentration of minoxidil and needs to be applied twice a day. Results may take longer to appear than with the foam.
• Women's 5% Minoxidil Unscented Foam is clinically proven to regrow hair in 80% of women. Still, this means that roughly one in five women won’t see results. Unlike other Rogaine formulas, it needs to be applied just once daily.
• Women's 2% Minoxidil Solution needs to be applied twice a day. The solution may make it easier to style hair than with the foam.

Dr. Pak says any higher concentration should be avoided, and a higher concentration does not mean the product will work better.

Rogaine should be stored at room temperature. In warmer temperatures Rogaine foam can melt quickly in your hand, complicating the application process. You can try running the bottle under cool tap water for a few seconds, which can get the foam into a good consistency.

You can, but these uses are not approved by the FDA and results may not be significant. According to Dr. Pak, “Rogaine is meant for hair growth on balding areas on the scalp, but many patients report seeing fuzzy hair in areas where it is applied. It may not be enough for any appreciable, visible, worthwhile improvement.”

Some people use Rogaine to thicken their facial hair, with mixed results.

The key to getting results is to use it consistently over time. Dr. Pak says he’s seen people get results after as few as two months or as long as 12 months. When asked about whether Rogaine works, Whistler, British Columbia, dermatologist Dr. Jeff Donovan said that most people give up on their treatment too early, without waiting for the drug to fully take effect.

Missing your dose for a few days isn’t a big deal—but you don’t want to go any longer than that, or you risk having the drug lose its effectiveness. According to Dr. Pak, “The standard recommendation is to use it twice a day. If you miss a few days, it should be fine.”

Your new hair will eventually start to fall out within a few weeks or months, if you stop taking Rogaine. For best results, stick to a regimented treatment plan.

• Propecia, which relies on the ingredient finasteride, can slow hair loss by interfering with a type of hormone called DHT that impairs the hair follicles. Some doctors say it works best in tandem with minoxidil, and it may be better for stabilizing hair growth than actually boosting it. Propecia is FDA-approved for hair regrowth in men. Women should not use Propecia.
• Keranique is another hair loss treatment system that uses a lower percentage of minoxidil as its active ingredient.
• Hair transplant surgery offers a more permanent solution for hair loss. It’s a significant investment, both in terms of cost and recovery time, but RealSelf members give it a high Worth It Rating.