{"id":12584,"date":"2024-10-14T16:21:19","date_gmt":"2024-10-14T16:21:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.simpleonlinepharmacy.co.uk\/health-advice\/?p=12584"},"modified":"2026-06-11T16:46:30","modified_gmt":"2026-06-11T16:46:30","slug":"what-is-minoxidil-and-how-does-it-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.simpleonlinepharmacy.co.uk\/health-advice\/hair-loss\/minoxidil\/what-is-minoxidil-and-how-does-it-work\/","title":{"rendered":"What is Minoxidil? And How Does it Work?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Hair is an important part of our appearance and our identity. So losing it can take its toll on mental wellbeing and confidence.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Luckily, there are a number of<\/span> hair loss treatments<\/a> available. And if you\u2019ve been looking to reverse or halt hair loss, you\u2019ve probably come across something called minoxidil. Or you\u2019ve come across the branded version, Regaine<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Minoxidil is a popular treatment option for male pattern hair loss. In this article, we explain what minoxidil is, how it works and whether women can use it.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is Minoxidil?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Minoxidil is a treatment used to stop and reverse hereditary pattern hair loss in both men and women.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s the generic version of Regaine. That means it has the same active ingredient, but the price is usually lower.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Minoxidil comes in two forms:<\/span> topical minoxidil foam<\/a><\/b> and<\/span> oral minoxidil<\/a><\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Topical Minoxidil<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Topical minoxidil is minoxidil in foam or serum form. You massage the solution onto the affected areas of your scalp twice a day, about 12 hours apart.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your hair will grow in the areas you apply the treatment to. So it\u2019s more targeted than oral minoxidil, which causes hair growth in other areas of the body. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But a lot of people find the twice-a-day application hard to fit into a daily routine.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oral Minoxidil<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Oral minoxidil is a licensed treatment for high blood pressure. But pharmacists offer minoxidil <\/span>\u201coff-label\u201d<\/span><\/a> as an alternative hair loss treatment. This means it’s used in a different way to what\u2019s described in the product licence. This doesn\u2019t mean it’s unsafe or inappropriate.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Patients on minoxidil start taking 1.25mg (half a tablet) daily for two weeks. After that, they take one 2.5mg tablet daily. Research has found oral minoxidil to be roughly as effective as topical minoxidil.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some people find it easier to take a pill than to apply topical treatment twice a day. But it may carry a higher risk of certain side effects. Increased heart rate and weight gain from fluid retention are the most common ones. Although these are usually mild and manageable.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We recommend you try topical minoxidil before considering oral tablets. Talk to your GP to determine if it\u2019s right for you.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Does Minoxidil Work?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

How minoxidil promotes hair growth is<\/span> not fully understood<\/a>, despite it being used to treat hair loss for over 30 years. However experts believe minoxidil increases the blood supply to the hair follicles to encourage the flow of nutrients. This strengthens the existing hairs and stimulates growth.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You need to use minoxidil regularly for at least four months to notice any effects. There are no concerns about using the medication long term. The treatment only works for as long as you take it. So your hair loss will return when you stop taking it.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your hair might also start to shed when you start using this treatment. This is normal. Minoxidil stimulates hair growth, so some follicles shed early to grow stronger, thicker hair in the next phase.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you don\u2019t see an improvement in your hair after four to six months, it\u2019s worth seeing a GP. They might be able to offer an alternative solution.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can Women Use Minoxidil?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Regaine for Women is the only clinically-proven solution for female pattern hair loss. Alternative treatments for male pattern baldness may not be suitable for women as they target levels of DHT (a form of testosterone) to manage hair loss.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n\n\n\n