According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine, up to 50% of people suffer progressive hair loss post-puberty.

One of the most common kinds of hair loss is Androgenetic Alopecia. 

Minoxidil is an FDA-approved medication to treat Androgenetic Alopecia in both men and women.

But the question arises if Minoxidil for men and women is the same.

And can women use Minoxidil for men?

This article answers all your questions about the use and efficacy of Minoxidil for women.

Did you know?
Research shows that the skin absorbs only 1.4% of topical Minoxidil.

Less than 99% of the amount of topical Minoxidil applied to the skin/scalp is absorbed systemically.

Also, around 95% of the medication systemically absorbed is excreted via the kidneys in 4 days.

What is Minoxidil

 Minoxidil is an FDA-approved treatment for hair loss for both men and women.

It is available in the form of a solution, spray, and foam.

It was originally developed to treat high blood pressure. But one of its side effects was increased hair growth.

This led to the development of a topical version of Minoxidil, which is now widely used to treat Male Pattern Baldness.

How does Minoxidil for women work

Using Hair Care product
Using hair care product

Minoxidil works the same for women as it does for men.

It is a vasodilator, which means that it dilates your blood vessels.

This dilation encourages the flow of blood and nutrients to the hair follicles leading to thicker hair.

The understanding of how Minoxidil works on hair follicles is still limited.

In animal studies, it has shown to shorten the Telogen (resting) phase causing the hair to enter the anagen (growing) phase prematurely.

It is considered to work in a similar fashion for humans as well.

Minoxidil may prolong the Anagen phase and also increase the size of the hair follicle.

Can women use Minoxidil for men

The short answer is yes. Women can use Minoxidil for men.

In fact, Minoxidil is one of the few hair loss treatments that is approved for use in both men and women. 

Products containing Minoxidil (60ml)Average Price
Hair 4u 2%$6.60/unit
Tugain 5%$20.54/unit
Tugain Solution 10$43.65/unit

However, it is essential to note that the recommended dosage for women is lower than that for men.

The recommended dosage for men is 5% Minoxidil solution, while the recommended dosage for women is 2% Minoxidil solution.

But, the FDA has approved 5% Minoxidil foam for Female Pattern Hair Loss.

A study conducted in 2011 showed the efficacy of 5% Minoxidil foam compared to 2% solution.

The 5% foam used once daily turned out to be significantly superior to the latter used twice daily.

Another study that compared 2% Minoxidil solution to Alfatradiol solution showed that the former showed a significant improvement in hair thickness and density.

How to use

Minoxidil for Women
Minoxidil Solution

To use Minoxidil solution on hair, follow the steps below 

  • Fill the dropper with the prescribed quantity of solution (usually 1 milliliter or 20 drops) 
  • Part your hair to expose the affected area and gently rub in the solution 
  • Allow it to dry completely before you use any products on your hair or go to sleep 

To use Minoxidil foam

  • Take about half a capful of the foam in clean and dry hands
  • Massage gently on the target area and allow it to dry
  • Once the foam has dried, you can style your hair or go to bed

Don’t shampoo your hair for at least 4 hours after application.

Adults need to do this twice every day. Consult a doctor before using Minoxidil for hair loss in children.

You can use it on damp or dry hair.

Warning
Minoxidil is available as oral pills also.

However, these pills are not FDA-approved.

Hence, do not take them without consulting your doctor.

Side effects of Minoxidil

It is fortunate that Minoxidil has very few side effects.

These include:

  • Scalp irritation
  • Dryness 
  • Redness
  • Itching
  • Scaling 

However, it is common to notice increased hair shedding during the first few weeks of using Minoxidil.

This improves later, so do not stop the treatment midway.

Another possible side effect of Minoxidil is increased hair growth on your face/forehead.

This could be simply because of the accidental application of the medication in those areas.

Some people also notice a change in their hair color and/or texture after using Minoxidil.

If you observe such a change, talk to your doctor immediately.

Also, note that you must avoid using Minoxidil if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Takeaway

Minoxidil is an effective solution to treat Androgenetic Alopecia in both men and women.

It is FDA-approved and helps not only in reducing hair fall but also in the growth of new hair.

It is safe and has minimal side effects when used as your doctor prescribes.

The Minoxidil used for men is no different than that used for women.

The only difference lies between the two is the recommended dosage.

Minoxidil might take at least four months to show effect, but it also depends upon the severity of the condition.

You might initially notice hair fall when you start the therapy, but this is normal.

Do not stop the treatment. Consult a doctor if the hair fall does not stop until after two weeks of starting the therapy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Citations:
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