Minoxidil 2 vs. 5: What’s The Difference For Female Hair Loss?

When it comes to hair loss treatments, there’s a lot of smoke and mirrors. We know — it can feel really overwhelming. But there’s one treatment with numerous studies proving its efficacy for hair growth. Plus, it has FDA approval for the treatment of female pattern hair loss and is considered safe for women to use. And that would be — drumroll, please — minoxidil.

If you’re dealing with a wider part or hair thinning around the crown of your head, you’ve probably already heard of topical minoxidil (commonly sold under the brand name Rogaine®). Minoxidil is typically a dermatologist’s first line of defense in the treatment of hair loss.

The initial effects of minoxidil occur after about eight weeks of treatment, and better results can be seen after four months. If you can play the long game, a review of multiple studies showed peak improvements at the year mark.

Minoxidil is also used to treat alopecia areata, telogen effluvium and other forms of hair loss.

If you’re looking to learn more about female hair loss, this article will walk you through the root causes and various treatments (including good ’ol minoxidil). We’ll dive into the different minoxidil formulations (typically available over the counter in 2% and 5% concentrations), along with the side effects and potential results.

Can Women Use Minoxidil?

Yes — absolutely. Minoxidil is one of the most researched hair loss treatments on the market, and numerous studies have shown that it works safely and effectively for both men and women as a hair loss treatment. Phew.

Both topical and oral minoxidil are safe for women.

Minoxidil isn’t just a hair loss medication, though. Oral minoxidil started out as a treatment for high blood pressure, which was used in both women and men — quite safely, we might add.

Minoxidil works because it’s a vasodilator, which means that it relaxes and widens your blood vessels. When it does this to your scalp, it boosts blood flow to the hair follicles, which means your follicles can get the nutrients they need to grow hair.

It also seems to put your hair follicles in the anagen phase, or growth phase, of the hair growth cycle. This means your hair grows for a longer period of time.

We dive deeper in our guide to minoxidil for female hair loss if you want to learn more.

Which Is Better: Minoxidil 2 vs. 5?

Topical minoxidil, which is available over the counter, comes in two concentrations: 2% and 5%. Usually, 2% minoxidil comes as a liquid solution, while 5% minoxidil is available as a foam.

Both minoxidil formulations are safe for women to use. Both are also effective for hair regrowth.

When it comes to comparing 2% minoxidil solution to 5% topical foam, a couple of clinical trials have indicated that the higher-strength dosage may offer more promising results.

An older 48-week placebo-controlled study looked at the effects of 5% topical minoxidil and 2% topical minoxidil in 381 women who had androgenetic alopecia (that is, female pattern hair loss).

The women in the study applied minoxidil twice a day, and at the end of the 48 weeks, researchers found that hair regrowth and scalp coverage increased relative to prescription strength. The 5% group experienced the best results, but the 2% topical solution group still experienced superior results to the placebo group.

A different randomized clinical study found that using 5% minoxidil foam once a day worked just as well as 2% minoxidil solution twice a day, and that both seemed to improve hair growth.

In summary, both work well. It’s a good idea to consider whether you’re more comfortable using foam or drops. While foam can be easier to spread, drops can provide a more targeted treatment.

Possible Side Effects of Minoxidil 2 vs. 5

Since minoxidil 5% is stronger than minoxidil 2%, you might assume that the former causes more intense side effects.

The randomized clinical trial mentioned above found that 5% minoxidil foam seemed to cause fewer side effects than 2% minoxidil solution. But this might be because the foam was only applied once, while the solution was applied twice a day. It could also be because of propylene glycol — an ingredient that is found in the solution but is not found in the foam.

In the other 48-week study, though, in which the 2% and 5% strengths were both topical solutions and the 5% strength wasn’t topical foam, the stronger formulation was associated with a higher chance of itching and irritation.

The possible side effects of topical minoxidil include:

• Scalp irritation, dermatitis or rash at the application site

• Scalp itchiness

• Dry, flaking scalp

• A slight burning sensation

• Skin rash

It’s also possible to experience an allergic reaction, contact dermatitis, or unwanted hair growth (hypertrichosis)

When you first start using minoxidil, you might experience increased hair shedding for a few weeks. Don’t worry about this — it just means your hair follicles are getting ready to enter the growth phase. It typically takes 3 to 6 months of consistent use to see visible results.

Check out our guide to the side effects of minoxidil for women for a full list. Learn more about minoxidil while breastfeeding if that’s a concern for you.

Alternatives to Minoxidil for Women

If topical minoxidil isn’t working for you, or if the side effects are uncomfortable, you might consider other hair loss treatment options.

For example, you could try:

• Low-dose oral minoxidil, which can also boost new hair growth

• Hair growth supplements, like our biotin gummies, which are packed with hair-loving vitamins

• Quality hair care products that work for your hair type, like a volumizing shampoo to improve the appearance of limp, thin hair

• Spironolactone, which is effective for female pattern baldness

• Topical finasteride and minoxidil spray, which has been developed for post-menopausal hair loss

• Gentle hair styling methods, which can help you avoid hair breakage and damaged hair

If you have severe hair loss and room in your budget, you might consider an in-office treatment like hair transplant surgery or platelet-rich plasma therapy for hair loss. While costly, these treatments can produce some impressive results.

The Verdict: Is Minoxidil Safe for Women?

So, can women use Rogaine? In summary, yes. Minoxidil is both safe and effective for women.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Minoxidil is safe for women. Minoxidil is approved by the FDA and recommended by the American Academy of Dermatology for female pattern baldness.

• Both minoxidil 2% and minoxidil 5% are effective and safe. But both can produce side effects in some people — for example, a dry scalp or itchiness.

• There are many hair loss treatments for women. If topical minoxidil isn’t working for you, you can try oral minoxidil, hair loss shampoos, or hair growth supplements.

Not sure where to start? Get personalized medical advice from a healthcare provider. This can help you figure out which treatment options may be right for you.

We can help you book an online consultation with a licensed healthcare professional — get started with an easy online quiz.