Minoxidil 2% vs 5%? We can’t say that a particular Minoxidil solution or brand is good and that the other is bad.
What the user’s preference is is something the user must decide, as each product has been designed for a specific objective.
However, we can certainly say that a stronger dose is more effective. Therefore, Minoxidil 2% do not have the same effect nor provides the same results as Minoxidil 5%.
Today I’ll explain the differences between these options, how they work, and what they are used for. You can decide for yourself which one will adapt to your needs better, although its effects may vary depending on the individual.
Minoxidil 2% (women’s rogaine)
The 2% formula of minoxidil is what’s prescribed to women over the age of 18. It helps them add thickness to their hair if it is weakening or they are experiencing major hair loss.
This medicine has been designed to be used on the root of your scalp. It will stimulate the follicles and encourage hair growth.
This treatment won’t have a visible effect if the cause of your hair loss is pregnancy, hormonal medicines, or significant malnutrition issues (deficiencies). Moreover, if there is damage on the scalp caused by products or lack of hair growth due to injuries, it probably won’t provide good results as these are underlying causes, and probably not something that a 2% minoxidil formula can magically fix.
It is recommended to apply the two-percent formula twice daily in a dose of 1 ml. It would help if you focused on the areas where the hair is thinning or falling out. To experience good long-term results, its use must be continuous and indefinite. If you suddenly stop using it, you’ll lose all the hair growth progress in a short time.
Minoxidil 5% (men’s rogaine)
Unlike the 2% option, Minoxidil 5% was designed to be used by men over the age of 18. It is an effective solution for hair growth. Additionally, some people use it to stimulate hair growth in their beards.
However, please note that it takes a few months after you’ve started using minoxidil 5% to start noticing the results. For some people, this period may be around three or four months, while others start seeing results after a year. It varies depending on the individual.
When you start using 5% Minoxidil, some of the hair you already have will fall out. This is called shedding. The hair shedding phase is completely normal as the stimulation of your hair growth might cause the hair follicles to change its phase in the hair growth cycle. So hairs that are in the end phase of their growth cycle will be stimulated to restart at the anagen phase. The newly growing hairs in the roots will push the old hairs out of the follicle to make room for the new thicker hair to grow.
Similar to the use of 2% Minoxidil, the person must use it uninterruptedly to see a positive change and to maintain any gains.
What is the difference between Rogaine for men and women’s formula?
Minoxidil’s most popular brand is Rogaine. As stated, the 5% in solution is usually only prescribed to men, while the 2% is meant for women. However, if we bring Minoxidil foam into the conversation, it is now possible to find this product for both men and women at 5%.
Still, the main difference between all these products is that the 5% topical solution in a liquid form is more effective than the alternatives. It contains propylene glycol, which allows Minoxidil to penetrate the scalp better. Other products that do not contain this agent may not be as effective as this one.
Furthermore, there are differences between the instructions. The recommended dose of Minoxidil products is twice daily, except for 5% women’s foam – which is recommended to be applied once daily. Still, it is known that a single application every day may provide the same results as a double dose because of the drug’s long half-life when applied topically. This fact applies to all the forms of topical Minoxidil.
While it is true that the 5% is more effective, it is also more aggressive than the other products. Some side effects include irritation and itching, which is something that most individuals have to deal with. Many people are sensitive to propylene glycol, which is why many prefer the foam over the liquid form.
Interesting to note: a report revealed that all treatments show similar side effects.
Most physicians recommend patients switch to a 5% foam solution or a 2% solution if they’re experiencing one or more of these side effects.
Although most Minoxidil products say you should restrict its use to a particular area, the truth is that it practically works in any zone of the scalp where you’re experiencing hair loss or thinning. Using it for the crown solely is a misconception that most people have.
General use of Minoxidil
As for its use, it’s common for all individuals to complain about how “greasy” Minoxidil is. However, many patients have reported that applying this product in the evening will allow the next four to six hours to properly absorb it. Therefore, it would be best if you applied it before going to sleep as it will dry overnight, and the “greasy” appearance will disappear the next day. Or, apply it 4-6 hours before you go to bed if you don’t want any minoxidil residue to get stuck on your pillow. It could potentially cause unwanted hair growth in one’s face.
I’ve already mentioned that some individuals experience good results after using Minoxidil for three months, but that’s not a universal experience. It is often recommended to use Minoxidil for at least a whole year to figure out whether it is effective for you. Again, remember that the use of this product should be frequent and uninterrupted to keep maintaining one’s hair growth results.
F.A.Q
Can Women Use Rogaine 5% Minoxidil with Topical Aerosol?
Yes – Women can use the 5% minoxidil foam for women. This is a foam formula with a 5% concentration of minoxidil that is specifically meant for women. It is called Women’s rogaine 5% minoxidil topical aerosol. Depending on the brand, it may be similar to the 5% foam formula for men, but to make sure you can purchase the women’s version.
Is There a Difference Between Mens and Womens 5% Rogaine Foam?
Here’s the breakdown of the ingredients in each product:
| Mens 5% Rogaine Foam formula: | Womens 5% Rogaine Foam formula: |
| 5% Minoxidil w/w (without propellant) | 5% Minoxidil w/w (without propellant) (hair regrowth treatment for women) |
| butane | Butane |
| butylated hydroxytoluene | butylated hydroxytoluene |
| cetyl alcohol | cetyl alcohol |
| citric acid | citric acid |
| glycerin | glycerin |
| isobutane | isobutane |
| lactic acid | lactic acid |
| polysorbate 60 | polysorbate 60 |
| propane | propane |
| purified water | purified water |
| SD alcohol 40-B | SD alcohol 40-B |
| stearyl alcohol | stearyl alcohol |
As you can see, the only difference in the ingredients is the “hair regrowth treatment for women” in parentheses after listing minoxidil. We don’t know if there is something different in the active ingredient minoxidil used in the women’s formula, but everything else seems to be exactly the same.
Conclusion
It has been proved that Minoxidil is an effective medicine to treat different types of alopecia in both men and women, but your results may vary.
Additionally, I forgot to mention that Minoxidil 10% is now an option, although this treatment is still experimental, and the negative side effects are still being researched. It can be risky for those who use it as it is uncertain what will happen after its application.
For now, it has been proved to be hugely effective, even more than the alternatives. As long as you’re using a renowned brand, everything should go smoothly. Some people have complained about a strong odor from the 10% solution, but it is compensated with the quick and effective results that show in less time than what you would see while using a 2% or 5% solution.
One of the most known products that offer this option is Minoxidil Tugain 10%.
