More is always better, right? Well, that might not be the case when it comes to minoxidil.
You can use minoxidil for a receding hairline or hair loss on your crown, and you may familiar with it under the name Rogaine®, the brand name it’s sold under.
Minoxidil comes in a few different strengths. While we don’t have much research on 10% and 15% minoxidil, the stronger stuff doesn’t appear to be better. In fact, the 5% solution may be the most effective of all.
Below, we’ll dive into whether 10% and 15% minoxidil are effective and what the risks of using them are.
Are Minoxidil 10% and Minoxidil 15% Available?
Yes, minoxidil 10% and minoxidil 15% are available — but not over the counter.
Minoxidil comes in several strengths. Do a bit of clicking around online and you’ll find a range of products like minoxidil 1%, minoxidil 2%, minoxidil 5%, minoxidil 7% and even minoxidil 15%.
These numbers refer to the percentage of the active ingredient — how much minoxidil is in the medication. But stronger doesn’t necessarily mean better.
Topical minoxidil is available over the counter in both liquid and foam formulations. You’ll most likely see these products as 2% and 5% minoxidil. These are the only minoxidil dosages approved by the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration).
At 2% and 5%, minoxidil is FDA-approved to treat androgenic alopecia (male pattern baldness and female pattern hair loss).
It’s also used off-label to treat other types of hair loss, including:
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Alopecia areata
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Chemotherapy-induced alopecia
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Hair loss after a hair transplant
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Scarring alopecia
It was first developed as a vasodilator (something that opens up your blood vessels) and used to treat severe refractory hypertension — high blood pressure resistant to treatment.
When it comes to your hair, minoxidil shortens the telogen (resting) phase of the hair growth cycle and extends the anagen (growing) phase. This combo leads to thicker, longer hair.
At least, that’s what we think. We don’t know exactly how minoxidil works — think of it as a gift from the hair gods.
And it’s not just topical minoxidil that can work wonders on your hairline.
There’s research into oral minoxidil and hair loss that’s looking promising so far, but more clinical trials are needed. Though oral minoxidil is prescription-only, you can buy topical minoxidil over the counter.
As for 10% and 15% minoxidil topical, they’re not as common over the counter. You might see them advertised online as more powerful hair loss treatments, but these strengths aren’t generally recommended, and they may not actually be more effective. *Gasp.*
Are Minoxidil 10% and Minoxidil 15% Effective?
Now for the big question: Is higher-strength minoxidil more effective? We can’t say for sure, but it might not be.
There isn’t much research into 10% and 15% topical minoxidil solutions. We know a lot more about 2% and 5% minoxidil.
What do we know, exactly? Well, both 2% and 5% minoxidil have been shown to be effective at increasing hair growth and decreasing hair loss. And the 5% strength seems to be more effective than minoxidil 2%. (Learn more about How Long Does Minoxidil Take to Work?.)
What the Research Says
A 2002 study compared 5% and 2% minoxidil. Almost 400 men with male pattern baldness used either the 2% or 5% solution or a placebo twice a day for 48 weeks.
At the end of the experiment, the 5% minoxidil treatment was described as “significantly superior” to the 2% treatment and the placebo.
The men who used 5% minoxidil had a higher hair count and scalp coverage — and we’re not talking about a small amount here.
At week 48, there was a whopping 45 percent more hair regrowth for men who used 5% minoxidil compared to 2% minoxidil. Wowza.
Even better? The 5% minoxidil worked quicker than the 2% minoxidil treatment.
There was one downside, though. The men who used the 5% treatment had more side effects, like itching and irritation, than those who used the 2% treatment.
This is where it gets interesting. More recent research looked at a higher dose of minoxidil and found it wasn’t more effective.
A 2021 study gave 90 men with male pattern baldness 5% minoxidil, 10% minoxidil or a placebo. The men took the treatment for 36 weeks.
Surprisingly, 5% minoxidil was found to be more effective than 10% minoxidil. Guys who used the 5% solution saw more hair growth around the hairline and crown of the head.
Shocked? Us too.
The 5% treatment also caused less irritation compared to 10% minoxidil.
It’s not all bad news for the higher strengths, though.
If 5% minoxidil doesn’t kick your hair follicles into shape, the 15% solution might do the trick. But the study showing results like this was done on women.
Research from 2016 looked at women with female pattern hair loss who didn’t respond to 5% minoxidil treatment. The women used 15% minoxidil for 12 weeks. At the end of the treatment period, 60 percent of participants experienced hair growth.
Another bonus was that none of the women reported adverse events when using the stronger solution.
To wrap it up, a 2022 review looked into multiple minoxidil studies to try and answer the question of whether concentrations higher than 5% are better. It reported mixed results and that higher concentrations increased the likelihood of irritation.
The lesson? More research is needed.
Just an FYI: minoxidil has been shown to be effective, but don’t expect to wake up one morning to a full head of hair. It can take about eight weeks for minoxidil to work its magic, and the best results may come after four months of treatment (or longer). Also, you have to keep applying it to avoid losing the new hairs that grow in.
Risks of Using High-Strength Minoxidil
The risks of using high-strength minoxidil include an increased likelihood of side effects.
When using it as a topical solution, side effects of minoxidil may include:
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Skin irritation
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Itching
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Scaly scalp
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Allergic contact dermatitis
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Hair shedding (oh, the irony)
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Hypertrichosis (unwanted hair growth on areas other than the scalp)
Oral minoxidil comes with potential side effects too.
These include:
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Low blood pressure or high heart rate
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Swelling
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Weight gain
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Enlarged breast tissue in men
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Worsening angina (chest pain)
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Inflammation in the lining around the heart
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Excess fluid around the heart
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Exacerbation of congestive heart failure
There’s also the risk of a high-strength minoxidil product not working for you — not bad for your health, but your wallet and hairline may not be happy.
Alternatives to High-Strength Minoxidil
You don’t need to use extra-strength Rogaine to treat hair loss. Lower-strength solutions and other treatment options can make hair grow faster.
Here are some other options to treat hair loss:
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Minoxidil 5%. Yup, good ol’ 5% minoxidil works great. You can buy minoxidil foam or liquid minoxidil solution over the counter.
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Oral finasteride. Finasteride (generic Propecia®) is FDA-approved to treat male pattern hair loss. You can get it in pill form to take once a day. It stops testosterone from being converted into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone linked to hair loss. Oral finasteride has been shown to slow down hair loss and promote new hair growth.
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Topical finasteride & minoxidil spray. Finasteride is also available as a topical product, and you can get the best of both worlds with a combo treatment.
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Hair care products. Give your hair some TLC. Use volumizing shampoo, volumizing conditioner or thickening shampoo with saw palmetto to make your hair look fuller. Not sure what to look for? We get it. The world of haircare can be confusing.
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Supplements. Biotin gummies provide the key nutrients your hair needs to look its best. Think folic acid and vitamins B7, B12, C, D and E — to name just a few. These gummies can give your skin and nails a boost too. Win-win-win. (Learn more about Biotin for Hair Growth: Can It Help With Hair Loss?.)
This article originally appeared on Hims.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
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Derma Roller and Minoxidil: Will Using Them Together Maximize Hair Regrowth?
If you’ve searched high and low for solutions to hair loss, you’ve probably come across topical medications like minoxidil and treatments like dermarolling, two of the most popular options on the market for hair loss treatment.
Dermarolling is a form of microneedling. Derma rollers work by using small needles to create tiny holes or punctures in the skin, which research suggests can encourage new hair growth. Meanwhile, minoxidil (also known as Rogaine®) is an FDA-approved medication for male pattern baldness.
Both a dermaroller and minoxidil have a place in slowing hair loss and stimulating hair regrowth. But did you know that you can use a dermaroller and minoxidil together?
In fact, some research shows that the two hair growth treatments may be more effective when they’re combined.
Below, we’ve explained how dermarolling and minoxidil work together, as well as the safety of using both methods to treat hair loss. And if you’re wondering how the heck dermarolling even works, don’t worry — we’ve covered that, too.
Dharmapada Behera / iStock
Dermarolling is a type of microneedling. It has a ton of benefits as a skin care procedure, from reducing acne scarring to skin rejuvenation.
A typical dermaroller used for acne scars and other skin care issues is a drum-shaped roller studded with hundreds of tiny microneedles. They’re not remotely the same size as the needle you get a flu shot with, so don’t stress about that.
Microneedling treatments make small punctures in your skin, creating micro-injuries that are thought to trigger your body’s healing process. It’s also thought that dermarolling increases the production of collagen, a protein responsible for skin, muscle, and bone health.
Some scientific research suggests that using a dermaroller for hair loss improves blood flow to the scalp, which can trigger certain hair growth factors and “reactivate” hair follicles.
One very small-scale study published in 2015 looked at the effects of microneedling on hair growth in four men with androgenetic alopecia — also called male pattern hair loss. These men had had no luck with conventional hair loss treatments. (Learn more about Male Pattern Baldness.)
After a period of six months, the men completed 15 microneedling sessions and showed a grade of +2 to +3 improvement on a standardized 7-point evaluation scale for hair growth.
While the findings of this study are certainly promising, it’s important to note that relatively little research has been done on dermarolling alone for hair loss. Instead, most of the more promising research has looked at the results of using a dermaroller and minoxidil together.
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Before we get into whether or not you can use minoxidil and dermaroller treatments together, let’s briefly cover what minoxidil is.
Topical minoxidil is an FDA-approved, over-the-counter hair loss treatment. It’s available as either minoxidil foam or a liquid minoxidil solution, both of which are applied directly to the scalp in areas affected by hair loss. (Learn more about Where to Buy Minoxidil.)
Minoxidil is thought to work by helping stimulate blood circulation to your hair follicles, which may help regrow hair and prolong your hair’s growth period.
The available research shows minoxidil works well for treating hair loss — and yes, you can even use minoxidil for beard growth.
What’s more effective than minoxidil, though, is using minoxidil with a dermaroller.
It’s not entirely clear why this is, but it’s thought that dermarolling helps minoxidil penetrate deeper into the scalp while promoting blood flow to the follicles. Either way, there’s plenty of research to justify using this combo.
In a 2013 study published in the International Journal of Trichology, men between the ages of 20 and 35 years old who had mild or moderate hereditary hair loss were treated with either 5% minoxidil twice a day or 5% minoxidil twice a day plus weekly microneedling.
After 12 weeks of treatment, the patients treated with minoxidil and microneedling showed significantly more hair growth.
Another 2018 study looked at the effects of microneedling and minoxidil as treatments for hair loss in 68 men. One group underwent treatment with minoxidil alone, while the other underwent weekly dermaroller treatment along with minoxidil.
The combo minoxidil and dermarolling group experienced a much more significant increase in hair count than the minoxidil-only group.
However, it’s worth noting that the researchers could not establish that microneedling combined with minoxidil is an effective therapy for androgenetic alopecia — possibly due to the small sample size — and said that more research is needed.
A different study, however, divided 60 total patients between the ages of 21 to 40 with androgenetic alopecia into two groups: one that completed microneedling twice a month in addition to a topical minoxidil 5% solution, and another that only received the minoxidil solution.
The first group saw an 86 percent improvement in hair loss compared to the minoxidil-only group, which saw around a 63 percent improvement.
Although there isn’t much research on using dermarolling for beard growth, many people do try it.
In short, plenty of research suggests that dermarolling could be an effective addition to your hair growth regimen.
Not only can you dermaroll and use topical minoxidil at the same time, but research shows that doing so is likely to improve your results. Now for the next step, how to use a dermaroller for your hair.
Liudmila Chernetska/Istockphoto
Curious about how to use a dermaroller for hair growth? We’ve got a few options covered below.
Visit a Clinic for Dermarolling
Your first option is to go to a clinic and have the process performed by a professional. This is a good option if you’ve never used a dermaroller before and want the process to be as simple as possible.
A major advantage of having dermarolling performed clinically is that the device used is typically able to penetrate deeper into your skin than an at-home dermaroller. This may be more effective at stimulating hair growth in areas affected by male pattern baldness or other forms of hair loss.
For example, many studies of microneedling as a treatment for hair loss use a 1.5mm device — a needle length that’s limited to clinical, physician-operated devices.
In comparison, most home dermarollers can only penetrate 0.25 or 0.5mm into your skin.
One downside of having microneedling performed by a professional is the cost. A microneedling session can cost anywhere from under $100 to several hundred dollars based on the area to be treated and your location. Over time, this can add up to a significant amount of money.
To find a clinician who is trained to perform microneedling, you can ask your healthcare provider or a dermatologist for a recommendation.
Use a Dermaroller at Home
The second way to dermaroll is at home. Dermarollers are available online from a range of retailers. Most dermarollers come with a variety of heads with needles of different lengths and are priced from as little as $15 to $30 or more.
To use a dermaroller for microneedling, follow the instructions that come with your device. Most dermarollers are designed for light, slow use on the affected areas. While using the dermaroller, you may feel a mild tingling or pricking sensation in the targeted area of your scalp.
Make sure to keep your skin safe and protected while dermarolling by:
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Applying numbing cream. If you find the feeling of using a dermaroller uncomfortable, it may help to numb the area by applying a mild lidocaine numbing cream. Make sure that you fully wash away the cream before using the dermaroller.
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Disinfecting both your dermaroller and the targeted area of skin. You can do this using 70% isopropyl alcohol. This is especially important if your dermaroller has needles that are 0.5mm or longer.
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Rolling vertically, then horizontally. Most dermaroller products recommend rolling over the target area vertically, then horizontally. Apply the dermaroller from top to bottom a total of six times, then repeat the process horizontally over the same area.
After you’ve finished using the dermaroller, it’s important to rinse the target areas of your scalp using warm water.
Make sure that you also follow the instructions provided with your dermaroller to keep it clean and free of bacteria after you’ve used it on your skin.
After you’ve completed this process, you can apply minoxidil to the areas of your scalp affected by hair loss. Our guide to applying minoxidil for hair growth provides step-by-step instructions for the liquid and foam versions of minoxidil.
How Often to Use a Dermaroller for Hair Loss
Although minoxidil can be used twice per day, dermarolling isn’t something that you should do too often. This is because excessive dermarolling may irritate your scalp and increase your risk of experiencing side effects.
Most studies of microneedling for hair loss involve using a dermaroller one time per week, with minoxidil used two times per day, so, unless a professional advises otherwise, try to keep your hair loss treatment routine on that schedule.
Be sure to avoid using a dermaroller if your skin feels irritated or swollen, or if it’s not fully recovered from the last session.
While results can vary by person, it usually takes around two to four months before minoxidil starts working for most people.
Which Size Dermaroller Works for Hair Loss?
As mentioned, most home-use dermarollers have needles that are either 0.25mm or 0.5mm in length.
But when it comes to using dermarolling to promote hair regrowth, which needle size should you choose?
Generally, it’s a good idea to start with shorter needles. Use the 0.25mm needles if you’re new to dermarolling or if you have a lower pain tolerance. As the needles are shorter, they’re less likely to cause intense pain.
But if you’re experienced at dermarolling — and if you’re feeling brave — a 0.5mm dermaroller might be a great choice. It penetrates the skin more deeply.
With this said, there are no clinical trials that compare the effectiveness between the two different sizes for hair loss treatment, so there isn’t much hard data to suggest one is better than the other.
Ahmad Darmansyah / iStock
Microneedling using a dermaroller can cause side effects, whether it’s performed by yourself at home or by a professional in a clinic or other setting.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, microneedling may cause some degree of swelling and bruising. This may persist for several days after you treat your scalp using a dermaroller.
Your scalp might also be at a higher risk of infection after you treat the area using a dermaroller. As such, it’s important to practice good hygiene if you use a dermaroller as part of your hair loss prevention routine.
Wash your hands before touching your scalp post-dermarolling — and if you’re using dermarolling for beard growth, be sure to avoid touching your face after.
As for the possible side effects of minoxidil, you can expect skin irritation at the application site, itchy scalp, skin rash, and more.
Stockfoo / iStock
Not too keen on needles? We get it! Fortunately, there are a variety of options for treating hair loss that are, um, less prickly.
Other than trying minoxidil on its own — which is still very effective, by the way — you can try hair loss treatments like:
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Oral finasteride. This once-a-day pill blocks dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that causes male pattern hair loss. It’s a prescription medication.
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A combo of finasteride and minoxidil. Much like dermarollers and minoxidil, using finasteride and minoxidil together is an effective hair loss combination for male pattern baldness. Try our topical finasteride and minoxidil spray.
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Hair growth supplements. Since vitamin deficiencies can lead to hair loss, you can try eating a balanced diet and adding biotin supplements to your daily routine.
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Hair care products. Some shampoos contain DHT-blocking ingredients like saw palmetto. Our thickening shampoo with saw palmetto is designed to slow down hair loss and promote healthy hair growth.
If you don’t mind a bit of discomfort and have wiggle room in your budget, there are even more options. You can try other in-office treatments, like platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, which uses stem cells to stimulate hair growth. Hair transplants — while expensive — are also an effective way to treat hair loss.
PeopleImages / iStock
Hair loss can be a real annoyance to deal with, and in the search for hair loss treatments, you’ve probably come across minoxidil and might have heard of dermarolling. As a refresher:
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A dermaroller is a tool with tiny needles. It creates small injuries that may increase collagen production, as well as improve blood flow to the scalp and increase hair growth.
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Minoxidil is a hair loss medication. It’s a topical solution that stimulates the regrowth of new hair and lengthens the growth phase of the hair growth cycle.
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Using a dermaroller and minoxidil together may slow hair loss and boost hair growth. Multiple studies show that this combo can be pretty effective — so if you want to hold onto your hairline, it’s worth a shot.
This article originally appeared on Hims.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
:NADOFOTOS /istockphoto
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Featured Image Credit: Daria Bulgakova /istockphoto.
