Oral vs topical minoxidil for hair loss: understanding the differences and choosing the right treatment

Both oral and topical minoxidil are used to treat hair loss, but they work differently in terms of how they are applied and how the body absorbs them.

Medically reviewed by:
Dr. Anna Chacon
Dermatologist

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What is minoxidil and how does it help with hair loss?

Minoxidil is prescription medication used for the treatment of hair loss in a low dose. Minoxidil was originally developed as an oral medication to treat hypertension, but its unintended side effect of causing hypertrichosis (excessive hair growth) led to the creation of a topical formulation to stimulate hair growth.

Minoxidil dilates (widens) small arteries (blood vessels) by causing muscle cells to relax, leading to increased blood flow to the area; which is how it lowers blood pressure and stimulate hair growth¹.

Today, topical minoxidil and finasteride are the only two FDA-approved and first line treatments for androgenetic alopecia². Despite its widespread use, the exact way in which minoxidil works is still not completely understood.

What is androgenetic alopecia (pattern baldness)?

Androgenetic alopecia (also known as pattern baldness) is the most common cause of hair loss and it affects up to 50% of men and women³. It is a hormonal-related type of hair loss and a genetic disorder caused by an excessive response to androgen hormones⁴. This disorder is characterized by a gradual and progressive loss of the hair on the scalp that can occur anytime after puberty.

Androgenetic alopecia is progressive, which means it gets worse over time. However, it is also non-scarring, meaning that the hair follicles are not permanently damaged and can still produce hair⁵. In the case of male androgenetic alopecia, genetics account for up to 80% of susceptibility⁶.

In men, the hair loss is most noticeable on the top of the scalp and the hairline above the temples. In women, the frontal hairline is usually unaffected, but there is diffuse hair loss on the top of the head, which may be noticeable through a wider center parting of the hair⁷ ⁸ .

Request a prescription for oral or topical minoxidil for hair loss!

Get rid of hair loss and request a personal treatment plan from one of our affiliated dermatology providers. Let them know if you have a specific medicine in mind.

Oral minoxidil vs topical: What is the difference?

Similarities between topical and oral minoxidil

Minoxidil, whether taken orally or applied topically, stimulates hair growth. Both topical and oral formulations of minoxidil are used in the treatment of hair loss⁹.

Differences between topical and oral minoxidil

Even though both medications have the same name and are used in the treatment of hair loss, there is a big difference between how the oral and topical solution work. Topical minoxidil is applied directly to the scalp and absorbed locally, while oral minoxidil is taken by mouth and absorbed into the bloodstream potentially causing systemic side effects.

Topical minoxidil for hair loss

Topical minoxidil is FDA-approved for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in men and female pattern hair loss¹⁰.

It is also used off-label for the treatment of other types of hair loss such as alopecia areata, beard enhancement, chemotherapy-induced alopecia, and eyebrow enhancement, among others.

Minoxidil is a topical treatment that comes as a liquid, cream, mousse or foam form which is applied directly to the scalp, and absorbed locally. This means that when minoxidil is applied to the skin, only a very small amount of the medication is absorbed into the body; the majority of the medication remains on the scalp, where it works to promote hair growth11.

Benefits of topical minoxidil

Topical minoxidil is used to promote hair growth and decelerate androgenic alopecia, particularly in individuals under the age of 40 who have recently experienced hair loss¹².

Some of the advantages of topical minoxidil include:

Promotes hair growth and slows down hair loss
Convenient as it is applied at home
Safe and well tolerated by most people
Can be used by both men and women over 18 years of age
Relatively inexpensive
Available as over-the-counter and prescription grade product depending on the product’s concentration)

Side effects of topical minoxidil

Topical Minoxidil is generally well-tolerated and its side effects are generally mild and can be managed by adjusting the dosage or frequency of application.

Scalp irritation or itching: This is the most common side effect of topical minoxidil, and it can usually be managed by reducing the frequency of application or using a lower concentration of the medication.

Dryness or flaking of the scalp: This can occur in some individuals and may be alleviated by using a moisturizing shampoo or reducing the frequency of application.

Skin irritation: Rarely, some individuals may develop an allergic reaction to topical minoxidil, which can cause redness, rash, or swelling.

Changes in hair color or texture: In some cases, hair that grows as a result of minoxidil treatment may be a different color or texture than the surrounding hair.
Excessive hair growth: In some cases it can cause hair growth in unwanted areas of the face and body if it is applied by accident¹³.

Concentrations of topical minoxidil

Topical minoxidil can be bought over-the-counter and with prescription.

The over-the- counter topical version of minoxidil (sold under the brand name Rogaine or Regaine) is available in concentrations, ranging from 2% to 5%.

Prescription grade products can have a concentration of up to 15%

Oral minoxidil for hair loss (low-dose)

Oral minoxidil is a prescription medication used for the treatment of hypertension and for this specific use the dose varies between 5 and 40 mg daily. However its unintended side effect of hypertrichosis (excessive hair growth) in patients during clinical trials led to its exploratory use as a hair loss treatment¹⁴.

Currently, a low-dose of oral minoxidil is used off-label for the treatment of hair loss, but the major concern regarding the use of minoxidil pills for this purpose is the potential risk of adverse systemic effects.

Recent studies have shown promising results exploring the use of low-dose oral minoxidil (0.25-5 mg/day) for the treatment of alopecia, while keeping adverse reactions at bay¹⁵ ¹⁶ ¹⁷ .

Benefits of low-dose oral minoxidil for hair loss

Low-dose of oral minoxidil may be considered as an alternative for people who have not responded to other hair loss treatments.

Some of the advantages of low-dose oral minoxidil include:

Stimulates hair growth
Slows down hair loss in people with androgenetic alopecia, which can help to preserve hair density and improve overall hair appearance.
Suitable for both men and women

Minoxidil tablets can only be purchased with a prescription and should only be used under medical supervision.

Side effects of low-dose oral minoxidil for hair loss

A research conducted with a total of 1,404 patients (943 women and 461 men) that were treated for hair loss with a low-dose of oral minoxidil for at least 3 months revealed that in most cases, patients did not experience any severe side effects¹⁸.

The most common side effects experienced during the study included:

Dizziness
Fluid retention
Tachycardia (palpitations and chest pains)
Headaches
Periorbital edema (eye puffiness or swelling around the eyes)
Hypertrichosis (generalized excessive hair growth
Insomnia¹⁹

FAQ about topical and oral minoxidil for hair loss

Is topical minoxidil safer than oral minoxidil?

Since its effects remain local, topical minoxidil is considered safer than oral minoxidil which may cause systemic side effects^20.

Minoxidil – usage and dosage

What is the best oral minoxidil dose for hair loss?

To keep adverse side-effects at bay while stimulating hair growth, a low-dose oral minoxidil ranging between 0.25 to 5 mg per day is indicated for hair loss²¹.

Minoxidil – where and how to buy

Can you buy topical minoxidil for hair loss without a prescription?

Yes, topical minoxidil in low concentrations (2 to 5%) can be purchased over-the-counter and typically sold under the names Rogaine and Regaine; however prescription products tend to work faster and better.

Can you buy oral minoxidil for hair loss without a prescription?

No, oral minoxidil can only be purchased with a prescription and should only be used under medical supervision due to potential systemic side effects.

Where to buy oral minoxidil for hair loss?

You can request a prescription for oral minoxidil by having a photo-based consultation with a dermatologist and clicking on the “start a consultation banner”.

Where to buy topical minoxidil for hair loss?

You can request a prescription for topical minoxidil by having a photo-based consultation with a dermatologist and clicking on the “start a consultation banner”.

Request a Minoxidil prescription for hair loss!

If you are struggling with hair loss and are interested in getting effective treatment start a photo-based consultation now. Our affiliated dermatologists will make a personalized treatment plan. Let them know if you have a specific medicine in mind.

Article References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6691938/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0190962217303067
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11702296/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430924/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27554257/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK278957/
https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a689003.html
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482378/
https://www.aad.org/dw/dw-insights-and-inquiries/archive/2022/low-dose-oral-minoxidil-alopecia
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0190962221004187
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7649170/