What are the differences between the various types of minoxidil?

One of the main active ingredients in hair loss treatments is minoxidil. This was initially used as an oral drug for high blood pressure problems only when nothing else worked because it had some considerable side effects. One of them was the "hypertrichosis", or the growth of hair, on different parts of the body.

Minoxidil background

In the 80's Upjohn pharmaceutical company had the idea that maybe applied topically minoxidil may help with the hair loss problems. In 1988 appeared the Rogaine brand, the first drug in hair loss treatment approved by FDA. In Canada it is commercialized under the name Apo-Gain, Gen-Minoxidil or Minoxigaine and in New Zealand as Regaine or Headway.

For more then 10 years, on the market was only Rogaine with minoxidil 2% or 5%. First one is recommended for women (if they are not pregnant or nursing), the other for men. Minoxidil 5% is much more efficient than the version with 2% concentration, but according to “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology” (April 2004, Volume 50, Number 4) it also expose the patients more to its side effects: itching, skin irritation.

Nobody knows exactly how minoxidil really works; it is supposed that it increases the blood flow on the areas surrounding the bald zones and the studies published in “British Journal of Dermatology” 2005 showed that minoxidil has also the effect of opening the potassium channels and that helps the hair follicles to grow.

Different types of minoxidil

Today on the market there are though a lot of products (which are not yet approved by FDA) with different minoxidil concentrations:

12.5% minoxidil - having the form of a thick liquid gel

15% minoxidil - a cream base product

or in combination with other additives:

•  Corticosteroids -an anti itching agent

•  Finasteride and Azelaic Acid -they inhibit the factors that cause hair loss, while minoxidil helps the growth

•  Retin-A - used to exfoliate the dead skin.

For a few years now, another drug with 5% Minoxidil has been commercialized: generic minoxidil (Kirkland). This treatment has the same chemical components like Rogaine (with Minoxidil 5%), but has a lower price. It has to be applied daily and the result may appear in 2-4 months (just like in Rogaine's case).

Directions of use

No matter how they are named, if the drugs contain minoxidil:

•  don't apply them on an irritated or sunburned scalp and no washing or shampooing is allowed 4 hours after the application

•  stop smoking, reduce alcohol drinking, eat healthy and practice sport regularly as precautions against the drugs' site effects (problems with breathing, blood pressure)

•  use good anti dandruff shampoos if you experience dryness and flaking of the scalp

•  reduce the minoxidil concentration if you experience itching

•  stop using them if the side effects persist or become unbearable.

Minoxidil effectiveness

Warning: Some of the manufacturers may claim rogaine or minoxidil 5% (or the generic Kirkland) won't work for frontal baldness. This claim is only made because it wasn't specifically tested there. All the early tests to prove effectiveness of minoxidil was only done at the top and crown. Many users claim it works almost just as well for frontal baldness. To attain best results, minoxidil should be used with DHT inhibitor such as Propecia or Revivogen.