Entrega en 2-4 días laborables
Pida ahora, pague después
Envío gratuito > €75
10% de descuento a partir de 2 productos
Productos de eficacia probada
Entrega discreta
Tu carrito esta vacío
Minoxidil is a well-known treatment for hair loss. It is widely used by men and women who suffer from hereditary hair loss. But when choosing minoxidil, you often see two types: 2% and 5%. What exactly is the difference between these two strengths, and for whom is which version intended?
Minoxidil is a well-known treatment for hair loss. It is widely used by men and women who suffer from hereditary hair loss. But when choosing minoxidil, you often see two types: 2% and 5%. What exactly is the difference between these two strengths, and for whom is which version intended?
Minoxidil 2% is the lighter variant and is mainly advised to women with hereditary hair loss. This is because women are often more sensitive to the side effects of minoxidil. The 2% solution is weaker, but still works well for hair loss. Women who use minoxidil 2% often notice after a few months that hair falls out less quickly and sometimes even thickens.
In addition, minoxidil 2% is somewhat gentler on the scalp, so there is less chance of irritation, redness or dry skin. For women with mild to moderate hair loss, this is often a good and safe start.
Minoxidil 5% is a stronger version of the drug. This higher concentration is usually recommended for men with hereditary hair loss. The 5% works more powerfully than the 2% version. This can make hair appear fuller and thicker faster in many men.
Sometimes women with severe hair loss also choose minoxidil 5%, but this is often done in consultation with a doctor or specialist. This is because the 5% version can cause more side effects, such as itching, hair growth in unwanted places or flaking of the scalp.
Both the 2% and 5% minoxidil usually provide visible results after about 4 months. The big difference is mainly in the strength of the effect. Research shows that the 5% solution is about 45% more effective than the 2% version when it comes to stimulating hair growth.
An important study examined 5% and 2% minoxidil in women with hereditary hair loss. In this 48-week study, 381 women used either minoxidil 5%, minoxidil 2%, or a placebo twice daily. It looked at the increase in thicker hairs and how doctors and patients rated hair growth and scalp coverage.
After 48 weeks, the 5% minoxidil scored better than placebo on all metrics, and was also rated more positively by the women themselves than the 2% variant. The 2% minoxidil performed better than placebo, but the difference was perceived less strongly by the patients themselves.
Both concentrations improved the participants' self-perception, although the 5% minoxidil was somewhat more common with side effects such as itching, irritation and unwanted hair growth outside the scalp.
Though, doctors often recommend starting with the lighter 2% solution, especially to check how your skin reacts. The 2% solution is less likely to cause side effects such as skin irritation or unwanted hair growth in other places (e.g. on the face). Only if it turns out that your skin tolerates the 2% well or if hair loss is more severe, switching to minoxidil 5% may be a next step. Remember: minoxidil only works as long as you continue to use it daily.
Haz nuestra prueba para encontrar los mejores productos para tu cabello.
Minoxidil is a safe drug and a hair loss medicine that is officially recognised in many countries as an over the counter medicine. Nevertheless, minoxidil can cause side effects, especially in the beginning. With the 5% version, these are somewhat more common. Possible side effects include:
The 2% minoxidil usually causes fewer symptoms because the dose is lower. This is why it is often chosen by people with sensitive skin.
Minoxidil is a proven remedy for hair loss, but it is important to choose the right strength to suit your situation. Use the product daily and be patient, as hair growth takes time!
Lucky, A. W., Piacquadio, D. J., Ditre, C. M., Dunlap, F., Kantor, I., Pandya, A. G., Savin, R. C., & Tharp, M. D. (2004). A randomised, placebo-controlled trial of 5% and 2% topical minoxidil solutions in the treatment of female pattern hair loss. Journal Of The American Academy Of Dermatology, 50(4), 541–553. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2003.06.014
Haz nuestra prueba para encontrar los mejores productos para tu cabello.
