Does minoxidil work? What 3 studies show, for whom it works and what you can realistically expect

Does minoxidil work? Yes, for many people with hereditary hair loss, but not for everyone. In studies, minoxidil inhibits hair loss and allows some users to grow new hair, especially on the crown. In a study with 5% foam, men gained an average of 21 hairs per square centimeter after 16 weeks, compared to more than 4 with a fake foam. In women, about 1 in 4 reported significant regrowth, compared with 1 in 7 with a fake. Count on about 4 months before you see anything, and on daily use for as long as you want to keep the results. A full head of hair like before is not a realistic expectation; less fallout and denser hair.

Contents

• Does minoxidil work? The short answer
• What do the studies show?
• Who does minoxidil work for and who doesn't?
• What can you realistically expect?
• What should you look out for before you start?
• Frequently asked questions
• Sources

Does minoxidil work? The short answer

Minoxidil is intended for hereditary hair loss (androgenetic alopecia), the form in which your hair gradually thins on the crown or at the parting. Apotheek.nl summarizes it this way: minoxidil on the skin ensures less hair loss and sometimes new hair will grow. At the same time, it is honest that it does not work for everyone.^[1]

That is also what the studies show. On average, minoxidil clearly does more than a fake drug, but the difference between people is big. Some people see new baby hairs after a few months, others notice that there is less hair in the shower, and some see little change. If you recognize yourself in the latter group, then also read why minoxidil sometimes does not work and what to do.

What do the studies show?

A lot of research has been done on minoxidil, in men and women. Three sources give a good idea of ​​what you can expect.

To put those numbers in perspective, the men in the foam study started out with about 170 hairs per square centimeter. Gaining 21 is therefore about 12 percent more hair in the measured area.^[3] You see that in the mirror as denser and fuller hair, not as a completely new hairline. In a 24-week study with 5% foam, women gained 13.5 hairs per cm² (9.4%), compared to 4.0 (2.7%) with fake foam.^[3]

The Cochrane researchers call the evidence for women mainly of moderate quality, but conclude that there is support for the efficacy and safety of minoxidil for hereditary hair loss in women.^[4]

5% foam, as in the study

Kirkland Minoxidil Foam 5% 1 Month For Men

5% minoxidil as a foam that dries quickly and is easy to apply to the crown.

€34,99View the foam →

For whom does minoxidil work and not?

Whether minoxidil works for you mainly depends on the type of hair loss. The official product information is clear about this: minoxidil is intended for hereditary hair loss and not for sudden or patchy hair loss, hair loss with an unknown cause, hair loss after childbirth or an inflamed scalp.^[3]

For men, the product information states that you apply the foam to the crown; that is where most research has been done.^[3] The effect may therefore be less predictable at inlets. If you have any doubts about the cause of your hair loss, for example because it happened quickly, fell out in patches or occurs together with other complaints, please have your doctor take a look first. Minoxidil does not solve a thyroid problem, iron deficiency or alopecia areata.

For women, once a day

Regaine Foam 5% 4 Months For Women

5% foam especially for women with hereditary thinning hair, apply once a day.

€99,99View Regaine for women →

What can you realistically expect?

The biggest disappointment usually arises from wrong expectations. These are the four points you need to know in advance:

• Patience: according to Apotheek.nl, minoxidil starts to work after about 4 months.^[1] In the first weeks you can even temporarily lose more hair. You can read how this works per month in minoxidil results: the timeline from month 1 to 6.
• When you stop trying: men stop if there is no effect after 4 months, women if there is no result after 6 months.^[3]
• Closer, not complete: the goal is less dropout and fuller hair. Completely bald spots rarely become completely full again.
• Continue to use: After stopping, hair loss occurs again.^[3] If it works for you, you must continue to use it every day to maintain the results.^[1]

What Minodeals customers experience varies greatly. Leon van Amelsfoort wrote: "After a few weeks I noticed less hair loss and new hairs at my temples." Oskar from the Netherlands: "I finally see new white baby hairs appearing." Results differ per person.

Strength also counts. In Olsen's study, 5% clearly produced more regrowth in men than 2%, although itching and irritation were somewhat more common in 5%.^[2] Lotion and foam with 5% contain the same active ingredient; the difference is mainly in the ease of use and the excipients.

Cheapest start

Kirkland Minoxidil Lotion 5% 1 Month For Men

5% lotion with pipette, the form from Olsen's study. If you want to test for 4 months, choose a larger package.

€29,99View the lotion →

What should you pay attention to before you start?

Minoxidil is not without risks. According to the product information, do not use it if you are younger than 18, and it is not suitable for cardiovascular diseases, heart rhythm disorders or high blood pressure, even if you are already taking medication for this.^[3] If you are pregnant, do not use it.^[1] If you are breastfeeding or want to become pregnant, consult your doctor or pharmacist first.

Stop and contact a doctor if you experience chest pain, rapid heartbeat, dizziness, sudden unexplained weight gain or swollen hands or feet.^[3] The most common complaints are itching and irritation of the scalp. Always read the package leaflet before you start.

Frequently asked questions

Does minoxidil really work or is it a placebo?

In placebo-controlled studies, minoxidil clearly did more than a fake drug. Men gained an average of 21 hairs per cm² with 5% foam after 16 weeks, compared to more than 4 with fake foam. It just doesn't work equally well for everyone.

How long do you have to use minoxidil before you know whether it works?

Expect about 4 months. Men who see no effect after 4 months can stop; for women the period is 6 months.

Does minoxidil also work on inlets?

Most research has been done on the crown and the product information advises men to apply it there. It can help with indentations, but the result is less predictable.

Does the result remain if you stop taking minoxidil?

No. After stopping, hair loss occurs again, so you must continue using it to maintain the results.

Does minoxidil work for women?

Yes, for hereditary hair loss. In the Cochrane review, about 26% of women reported moderate to marked regrowth, compared with about 14% with a fake. Women use 5% foam once a day or 2% lotion 2 times a day.

This article is general information and does not replace medical advice. Always read the package leaflet and, if in doubt, consult your doctor or pharmacist. Prices are from November 2026.

Sources

1. Apotheek.nl, Minoxidil on the skin (patient brochure).
2. Olsen EA et al., A randomized clinical trial of 5% topical minoxidil versus 2% topical minoxidil and placebo in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in men, Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2002 (English).
3. Medicine Evaluation Board, Medicines Information Bank, Summary of product characteristics Minoxidil Bipharma 50 mg/g foam (RVG 132307).
4. Van Zuuren EJ et al., Interventions for female pattern hair loss, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2016 (English).