Key Takeaways:
- Topical minoxidil, which requires twice-daily applications, is available over the counter (OTC).
- The prescription version of minoxidil is an oral pill you take once a day.
- OTC minoxidil is generally safe, though it can cause scalp irritation in some people.
When looking into hair loss treatments, it’s natural to wonder whether the only options that work require a prescription. The short answer is that it depends. Some hair-loss treatments do need a prerequisite doctor’s visit, and others are waiting for you on store shelves. So, what about the most common options? For instance, is minoxidil over the counter (OTC)?
Again, it depends — in this case, on the formulation. Topical minoxidil sprays, foams, and liquid solutions are OTC, while oral minoxidil pills require a prescription. Ahead, learn more about the type of minoxidil you can buy over the counter versus its prescription-only counterpart, along with other OTC hair loss treatments to consider.
Do You Need a Prescription for Minoxidil?
Topical minoxidil (generic for Rogaine®) is an FDA-approved hair-loss treatment that works by increasing blood flow to hair follicles (it’s a vasodilator) and prolonging your hair’s active growth phase.
The topical formulation is available over the counter, meaning you can buy it online in addition to grocery stores and drugstores everywhere.
So where does prescription minoxidil fit into all this? Topical minoxidil is entirely OTC, but oral minoxidil requires a prescription in light of certain differences.
Key Differences Between Oral and Topical Minoxidil
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved oral minoxidil in 1979 for treating high blood pressure. Its ability to relax and open up blood vessels throughout the body also makes it effective for stimulating blood flow to the scalp, leading it to become a popular off-label treatment for hair loss. Off-label use means a healthcare provider can legally prescribe it for a reason other than its FDA-approved indication.
Research suggests that low-dose oral minoxidil is a “well-tolerated” alternative to topical minoxidil, and the oral formulation is not associated with significant blood pressure changes when used for hair loss.
It may be worth asking a healthcare professional about oral treatment in the rare event that the topical solution causes a reaction.
Oral minoxidil is also a good option for people who struggle to remember to use topical minoxidil twice daily. Non-adherence to topical minoxidil (meaning the failure to use it regularly) is one of the biggest reasons people don’t see results.
How to Get Minoxidil Over the Counter
Buying minoxidil foam or minoxidil liquid solution over the counter is as easy as walking into a pharmacy and pulling it off the shelf.
The cost of Rogaine® and generic minoxidil varies depending on brand and where you purchase it.
How Minoxidil Works to Treat Hair Loss
Minoxidil can effectively treat hair loss in two ways: It’s a vasodilator that supports increased blood flow to follicles, and it’s also helpful in the scope of the hair’s natural cycle.
Studies show that minoxidil shortens the telogen phase of the hair growth cycle (when hair is at rest), thereby extending the anagen (growth) phase. Simply put, minoxidil can help your hair grow for a longer time and, therefore, get longer. A 2019 meta-analysis found that minoxidil led to a “remarkable increase in hair growth” and a decrease in hair loss, especially at the 5 percent strength.
Minoxidil Side Effects
Side effects of topical minoxidil are generally minimal. They can include scalp irritation, dry or itchy skin, skin flaking, or slight burning.
Adverse reactions often aren’t due to minoxidil itself but rather propylene glycol in the liquid form. Researchers think this alcohol is responsible for irritating the skin of some minoxidil users.
The foam version of minoxidil doesn’t contain this ingredient, so it’s a good option if you’ve had a reaction in the past or have particularly sensitive skin.
Other Treatments to Promote Hair Growth
As many as 50 percent of men experience male pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia). What causes male pattern baldness? This inherited cause has to do with a male hormone (androgen) called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). When you’re young, DHT is crucial for the development of certain male characteristics like facial hair, a deep voice, and prostate growth. As we get older, putting the brakes on DHT can be helpful.
The body converts testosterone into DHT, but too much DHT may lead to shortened hair growth cycles and cause hair follicles to shrink — a process known as miniaturization. And that’s where hair treatments can come in.
Minoxidil is just one such treatment. Other products are also effective in the lifelong fight against hair loss. Here are our top recs for products that promote hair growth.
Finasteride
Finasteride is the other FDA-approved hair loss medication. It’s effective at slowing hair loss and stimulating hair growth in men. It’s not approved for female pattern hair loss, though.
Finasteride can reduce the amount of DHT in your system, making it a star in the battle against hormone-triggered hair loss.
Like oral minoxidil, finasteride requires a prescription and can be used in tandem with topical minoxidil. A 2019 meta-analysis on the efficacy of minoxidil and finasteride found that the combo of oral finasteride and topical minoxidil is more effective than either on its own.
Finasteride-Minoxidil Combo Spray
Topical finasteride and minoxidil are like the Bert and Ernie of the hair world. They’re different, but they jibe. Studies show that topical finasteride can decrease hair loss and increase hair count. Minoxidil, on the other hand, dilates blood vessels, which brings blood, nutrients, and oxygen to the scalp.
Our quick-drying topical spray contains 3 percent finasteride and 6 percent minoxidil. Since it contains finasteride, you’ll need a prescription.
Even better, one small study showed that the two medications combined didn’t cause sexual side effects, which is sometimes a concern when using finasteride.
Volumizing Hair Products
Volumizing shampoo and volumizing conditioner are easy ways to make hair look thicker at the root, giving the appearance of fuller hair.
Biotin Supplements
Biotin gummy supplements may help with hair loss if you have a true deficiency of the vitamin. This is pretty unlikely if you eat a balanced diet, but it’s not entirely impossible.
Our biotin gummies contain other essential nutrients for healthy hair, like folic acid, niacin, and vitamins D and E.
The Bottom Line: Getting Minoxidil OTC
Can you buy minoxidil over the counter? You bet! The topical version, that is.
Research supports minoxidil being an effective treatment for hair loss that has mild side effects. You can get topical minoxidil OTC, making it as easy to purchase as toothpaste.
Here are a few key points to remember about minoxidil:
- Topical minoxidil is available over the counter, but make sure you buy it from a reputable store, pharmacy, on online platform.
- If you have questions about whether minoxidil is right for your goals (whether that’s new hair growth, retention, hair regrowth, or treating thinning hair), seek medical advice from your healthcare provider. They can help figure out the right course of action.
- Oral minoxidil is available with a valid prescription from a licensed healthcare provider.
FAQs
Is oral minoxidil more effective than the topical version?
The two types of minoxidil can be equally effective, though you might achieve better results with one versus another. You may want to try one approach for a few months to see how your hair responds and whether you experience any side effects. You can always try another treatment if you’re dissatisfied.
Why would I try oral minoxidil if it needs a prescription?
Some guys find it more convenient to take a once-daily pill instead of applying topical minoxidil twice a day. Even though the topical treatment dries fairly quickly, it can interfere with certain hairstyles and other grooming products.
How can I speed up the hair-growth process with over-the-counter minoxidil?
People may respond differently to minoxidil. There’s really no way to predict how quickly, if at all, you’ll see results. Using more minoxidil than is recommended with each application, for example, won’t make things go faster. You can try treatments that include both minoxidil and finasteride, but they require a prescription.
Related:
- How to Fix a Receding Hairline: 11 Effective Treatments Backed by Science
- The Hair Growth Cycle: 4 Stages Explained
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This article originally appeared on Hims.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
