Rogaine Foam: The Guide To Using It For Hair Loss

Rogaine is a popular hair loss product available in three formulations: liquid, extra-strength liquid, and foam. This post will discuss the foam formulation including how it works and how to use it.

What Causes Hair Loss?

There are many types of hair loss, but Androgenetic Alopecia (AGA)  (also known as male pattern baldness) is the one most commonly associated with thinning, hairline recession, and total balding (1).

In short, AGA is caused by sensitivity to the androgen DHT (2). DHT is produced when testosterone (sex hormone) and 5-alpha-reductase (an enzyme) interact, and it’s a normal process that occurs in both men and women.

For a longer explanation, here is a look at how exactly DHT contributes to hair loss.

Your hair follicles are a living system that requires input (oxygen and nutrients) to survive. When the source of oxygen and nutrients is cut off (or otherwise blocked), the hair follicle will slowly miniaturize and, eventually, die.

(Do you want to unblock your hair follicles? Learn my natural method here.)

In individuals with AGA, DHT limits the input received by follicles due to inflammation. As DHT attaches to androgen receptors near the sensitive follicles, the follicles respond by ‘protecting’ themselves.

This protection comes in the form of inflammation, but long-term inflammation means that the necessary inputs are cut off for too long (3).

In men, these sensitive follicles tend to be near the hairline and crown, while in women they tend to be near the crown. As the hair follicles miniaturize, the hair that is being produced is unable to grow as it should. It becomes smaller and smaller until it soon no longer grows at all.

There are other factors at play (including genetic predisposition to hair loss and health habits), but DHT has been shown to play a significant role in pattern baldness.

How Does Rogaine Work?

Unlike Propecia (another popular hair loss medication), Rogaine does not rid the scalp of DHT. Instead, it makes it possible for your hair follicles to function and receive input, even in a hostile environment.

Rogaine’s active ingredient, minoxidil, was first developed and marketed as a vasodilator (under the name Loniten) (4). This means it was used to relax the walls of the blood vessels so blood circulation could improve.

In individuals with AGA, improved circulation to the scalp means oxygen and nutrients are being delivered to the follicles. As a result, the follicles no longer miniaturize, and hair regrowth can continue uninterrupted.

Who Should Use Rogaine for Hair Growth?

Rogaine is a topical drug that works to improve the condition of the scalp to promote hair growth. It was specifically formulated as a treatment for Male-Pattern Baldness (MPB) and Female Pattern Hair Loss (FPHL).

As per the manufacturer, Rogaine is best used on the crown. It is not specifically formulated for the hairline, though this will be discussed in more depth later.

The ideal candidate for Rogaine is one with diagnosed pattern baldness that is at an early stage of development. The more developed your hair loss, the less likely Rogaine will be an effective treatment.

On the flip side, some individuals are not ideal candidates for Rogaine. You should not use Rogaine if:

• You do not have a family history of pattern hair loss
• Your hair loss is not the typical pattern of hair loss associated with MPB or FPHL
• You are under the age of 18
• You are pregnant or breastfeeding
• Your scalp is itchy, painful, raw, or otherwise sensitive

If you have any pre-existing medical conditions, especially heart conditions, you should speak with your doctor before you begin using Rogaine.

Can Rogaine Be Used by Women?

When Rogaine was initially approved by the FDA, the product was only approved for men. Eventually, Rogaine became available to women in the 2 percent concentration (known as Women’s Rogaine).

When Rogaine foam first came on the market, the same applied. It was initially approved for men at both 2 percent and 5 percent, but developers soon rolled out a Women’s Rogaine foam formulation.

The Women’s Rogaine liquid is available with 2 percent minoxidil, while the Women’s foam is available with 5 percent minoxidil. However, women should only use the foam once daily to avoid any complications associated with its use (such as hirsutism, dizziness, headache, and unexplained weight gain) (5).

How to Use Rogaine Foam

While Rogaine liquid is not difficult to apply, there is no doubt that the foam formula is a much quicker process. Here is how to do it.

For Men:

1. Rinse your hands with cold water, and dry completely.
2. Dispense one-half capful of foam directly onto your fingertips.
3. Apply the foam directly to the scalp, making sure to target trouble areas.
4. Use your fingers to massage the foam into your areas of loss, and then wash your hands thoroughly.
5. Let it dry.

This is a routine you will need to repeat every morning and every night.

For Women:

1. Rinse your hands with cold water, and dry completely.
2. Dispense one-half cupful of foam onto a dish or saucer, or directly onto a dry, non-porous surface (like a bathroom sink).
3. Part your hair (both in the middle and on the sides) to expose more scalp.
4. Dip your fingers into the foam, and begin applying at the back of your scalp and working forward.
5. When done applying all of the foam, wash your hands thoroughly (and the dish or surface you used).
6. Let it dry.

For women, you only need to apply Rogaine once per day.

Tips for Better Application

While the application for both men and women is a straightforward process, there are a few things you can do to improve how you apply the formula.

1. Apply to a Dry, Clean Scalp

For best results, you will want to apply to a dry scalp. This will give the foam a chance to better absorb (as there’s less chance of evaporation).

It is also best to apply to a clean scalp, as this will ensure the pores can absorb the formula.

(Learn how to clean your scalp naturally here.)

2. Stimulate the Scalp

A dermaroller is a microneedling tool that creates small puncture wounds in the scalp. As the wounds heal, healthy follicles are produced. In addition, this tool can improve blood circulation (which will further contribute to healthy hair growth).

Take a look at the hair growth results from this study (6):

3. Stay Consistent

Overall, the best application tip is to be consistent. You will not see results unless you commit to use. This means using it consistently (once or twice daily, depending on your gender) and sticking with it for at least six months.

While this may seem like a no-brainer, many users of Rogaine stop within the first few weeks due to a “symptom” known as dread shed. This occurs when your hair cycles from the telogen phase of growth to the anagen phase, and your hair shedding increases.

It is easy to be alarmed by the amount of hair shed, but many users only experience excess shedding for a few weeks. If you want results, you will need to power through the initial shed.

Side Effects

As will be discussed later on, the foam version was developed in an attempt to lessen side effects experienced by Rogaine users.

Some more common adverse effects to be aware of include itching, flaking, dryness, and redness. These may be temporary, or they may progress over time and become unbearable.

Some less common ones to look out for include swelling of the hands and feet, chest pain and fast heartbeats, lightheadedness, and headaches.

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop using until you can speak with a physician.

While rare, you can experience a severe allergic reaction to Rogaine. This is called anaphylaxis, and it requires emergency medical attention. Symptoms include hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the lips, tongue, mouth, and throat, and nausea/diarrhea (7).

Do also keep in mind that when you first start minoxidil, you will likely experience a period of increased shedding (8). This is normal, and it should stop within a few weeks.

(Learn more about minoxidil shedding here.)

Ingredients

While the active ingredient present within Rogaine is minoxidil, there are some other ingredients included that help to deliver the minoxidil to the scalp.

These include butane, butylated hydroxytoluene, cetyl alcohol, and polysorbate 60:

These preservatives and alcohols can irritate those with sensitive skin.

Rogaine Foam vs. Rogaine Liquid

As previously mentioned, Rogaine liquid was the first Rogaine formulation to become available on the market.  As noted in studies and reported by users of Rogaine liquid, there were a few unpleasant adverse effects. These included itching, flaking, dryness, and redness.

However, minoxidil was not the cause. Instead, the ingredient propylene glycol was to blame.

In the liquid formulation, propylene glycol works as a vehicle. This means it delivers the active drug (minoxidil) to the scalp and ensures its absorption.

Instead of reformulating the liquid formula, then, researchers decided to make an entirely new product for those who were sensitive to propylene glycol. That is where the foam comes in.

Rogaine foam is propylene glycol-free and, for many users, this means adverse effects have diminished.

Is One More Effective?

While no human studies have been performed that directly compare the effectiveness of Rogaine liquid and Rogaine foam, there was a study that showed that once-daily use of 5 percent minoxidil Foam was just as effective as twice-daily use of 2 percent minoxidil liquid in women.

This study took place in 2011, and 113 women with AGA were randomized into two groups (9).

Group one was instructed to apply 5 percent minoxidil foam to their scalp once daily, while group two was instructed to apply 2 percent minoxidil liquid to their scalp twice daily.

The main parameter was a change from baseline in non-vellus target area hair count at week 24. However, other parameters (including change in non-vellus target area hair width and adverse effects) were also included.

In the end, it was determined that once-daily 5 percent minoxidil foam was just as effective as twice-daily 2 percent minoxidil liquid.

While this study does not exactly pit the two against each other, it does provide some insight into its effectiveness at growing hair.

How Long Does It Take to See Results?

With regular strength Rogaine, positive results are typically seen in 40 percent of men over three to six months (10). However, the Extra Strength formula is said to improve results in even less time.

Extra Strength Rogaine

When Rogaine liquid was first produced, 2 percent was the usual dose. The Extra Strength solution contains 5 percent minoxidil, and has been shown to produce quicker results.

If you have no sensitivity issues to either of the lighter-strength formulas, then it does not hurt to give the Extra Strength a try. However, remember that results will not improve for everyone, and you may be at a higher risk of adverse effects or complications.

Does It Work for Thinning Hair?

For men and women with AGA, the first sign of hair loss is the thinning of the hairline and vertex (men) and crown (women). This is the best time to begin using a hair loss treatment, such as Rogaine.

(Learn more about the early signs of hair loss.)

Rogaine is not a miracle cure; therefore, it cannot trigger hair regrowth within dead follicles. However, it can slow the loss and put an end to thinning. This is vital if you want any hope of a thick, full scalp of hair.

When you use Rogaine at the first signs of thinning, you are in the best position possible.

Does It Work For a Receding Hairline?

There has been a bit of debate ever since the development of Rogaine, and that is whether it works on the hairline.

Studies have proven time and again that it is an effective treatment for hair loss on the crown. But, what about a receding hairline? Fortunately, researchers asked this very same question in 2015, and the results were favorable.

Sixteen healthy men between the ages of 18 and 49, all with Norwood Scale hair loss of type IV-V, participated in this double-blind study (11). The participants were split into two groups, one of which received a placebo and the other of which received minoxidil 5 percent foam.

The participants and the researchers were unaware of which treatment the participants received.

All 16 men were instructed to apply their treatment twice daily for eight weeks, and photographs were taken at the beginning and end of the study to monitor hair growth.

Here are the results as displayed by one subject:

As the researchers concluded, minoxidil foam is effective in both the frontal and vertex scalp of patients with male pattern hair loss.

How to Use:

As the directions on the box are only in regards to vertex application, there are a few things to keep in mind when applying to the hairline.

Foremost, you do not need to apply an entire dose to your hairline. Many people who use Rogaine for their hairline either use a few small drops of the liquid (enough to spread), or half a dose of the foam version.

Some users mix it up (using the liquid version on the vertex and the foam version on the hairline, or vice versa).

Just be aware of any side effects that may occur (as the skin by the temple is thinner and, therefore, more sensitive) and stop use if any allergic reaction occurs.

In addition, you will want to avoid contact with your face and eyes. This is a bit more difficult if using the liquid formula, which is why many users stick with foam for the hairline. If you do use the liquid, use the dropper to apply the solution to your fingertips and then massage it into the hairline.

Cost and Availability

You can certainly purchase Rogaine directly from the manufacturer, but you will likely be paying more than if you bought from an online or in-store retailer.

For example, a 3-month supply of foam from the Rogaine website costs $49.99. On Amazon, you can get the same 3-month supply for $37.49 (a cost savings of $12.50).

Additionally, you can purchase at your local drugstore (either the brand name or store brand).

Potential Downsides of Rogaine Use

Aside from the side effects outlined above, there are other things to consider before you commit to Rogaine to treat your hair loss.

The biggest downside to Rogaine use is the potential to lose hair growth progress as soon as you discontinue the drug.

Like most drugs on the market, Rogaine only treats the problem if you continue to use it as directed. This is because it treats the symptoms without addressing the underlying cause.

For some people, using Rogaine for their entire lifetime is just one small price to pay. For others who hope to discontinue use in the future, though, it is not likely to be the best route.

Another downside is that Rogaine can be cumbersome to apply daily. If you struggle to maintain a daily routine, then Rogaine may not be for you. The need to apply it daily (and sometimes twice daily) is important to see results. If you cannot keep up with that schedule, you may be better off considering another treatment option.

Conclusion

In summary, many users of Rogaine foam have positive results. But this does not mean it is the only treatment approach you should consider.

While Rogaine is effective during use, the positive results cease as soon as treatment does. On the other hand, when you treat the underlying cause, you can put an end to your hair loss and reclaim your life. This is possible to do when you work with a dermatologist.