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Minoxidil

Over-the-counter lotion or foam for male and female pattern hair loss Also on labels as: Regaine (brand), minoxidil 2%, minoxidil 5%

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What it does

Minoxidil is a medicine applied to the scalp as a lotion or foam. The NHS names it, with finasteride, as one of the main treatments for male pattern baldness, and says it can also be used for female pattern hair loss. It can slow hair loss and help some regrowth in some people.

How it's used

  • Men: 5% solution or foam (NICE prescribing information).
  • Women: 2% solution or a once-daily 5% foam (NICE).
  • Apply only to the affected scalp, and wash your hands afterwards.
  • Results take months: dermatologists suggest allowing at least 6 months, and NICE advises reviewing whether it's working at around that point (and stopping if there's no response after a year).
  • Any benefit is lost when you stop; NICE says results are lost within 3 to 6 months of stopping.

Cautions

  • Not for people under 18, during pregnancy or breastfeeding, on an irritated, sunburnt, broken or shaved scalp, or if you have high blood pressure unless a doctor has said it's OK (NICE).
  • Not for sudden, patchy or unexplained hair loss — see a GP first.
  • Common effects include scalp itching and irritation (often from the propylene glycol in the solution — the foam doesn't contain it), and temporary extra shedding in the first few weeks.
  • Unwanted hair growth on the face can happen if it spreads — apply a thin layer to the scalp only. Avoid contact between treated skin and other people, especially children.
  • The products are flammable — keep away from flames after applying.

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence: Strong

Licensed medicine or consistent good-quality trials for this use.

Topical minoxidil is a licensed medicine for pattern hair loss and the main over-the-counter option in NICE guidance. A 2016 Cochrane review of treatments for female pattern hair loss found evidence (mainly moderate to low quality) that topical minoxidil works and is safe, with no difference in effect between 2% and 5%. It doesn't work for everyone, and for alopecia areata the British Association of Dermatologists says evidence for minoxidil on its own is limited.

UK rules and availability

Minoxidil is not allowed in cosmetics in Great Britain; scalp products containing it are licensed medicines (Regaine foams and solutions are general sale medicines). It is not available on an NHS GP prescription for hair loss, so you buy it yourself. Products sold as "natural" hair-growth remedies have sometimes been found to contain undeclared minoxidil — buy from reputable sellers. Read the leaflet and ask a pharmacist whether it suits your type of hair loss.

Products on this site that list it

Not medical advice. This guide is general information from the sources listed, not a diagnosis or a substitute for a pharmacist, GP or dermatologist. If you are worried, or symptoms are severe or not improving, get advice. Read our health information policy.

Sources

  1. NHS – Hair loss nhs.uk
  2. NICE CKS – Male pattern hair loss: topical minoxidil cks.nice.org.uk
  3. NICE CKS – Female pattern hair loss: topical minoxidil cks.nice.org.uk
  4. NICE CKS – Female pattern hair loss: management cks.nice.org.uk
  5. British Association of Dermatologists – Hair loss: male pattern bad.org.uk
  6. British Association of Dermatologists – Hair loss: female pattern bad.org.uk
  7. British Association of Dermatologists – Alopecia areata bad.org.uk
  8. emc – Regaine for Men Extra Strength Scalp Foam 5% (SmPC) medicines.org.uk
  9. van Zuuren EJ et al. Interventions for female pattern hair loss. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2016 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  10. Finnegan P et al. A qualitative review of misinformation on alopecia. Skin Appendage Disord 2025 pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov