Understanding the Differences Between Capilia Longa vs. Minoxidil

Depending on how extensively you’ve researched hair loss treatments, you’re likely familiar with minoxidil. You may have also come across Capilia Longa™, a plant-based ingredient derived from turmeric — don’t worry, it won’t stain your scalp orange.

But what is Capilia Longa, exactly? And which is more effective, Capilia Longa or minoxidil?

If you have questions about Capilia Longa versus minoxidil and want to know how the two compare, you’re in the right place.

Here, we’ll compare the benefits and side effects of Capilia Longa and minoxidil and help you decide which one is right for you. Read on for more.

Capilia Longa is a natural, plant-based formulation marketed as a hair growth stimulator. The ingredient is derived from the stem cells of the turmeric plant (also called Curcuma longa).

You don’t think of natural ingredients as being “owned” per se, but Capilia Longa is actually patented by Vytrus Biotech. This means the company has exclusive rights to the natural active and charges other brands to use Capilia Longa in their products.

Capilia Longa can be used on the scalp, eyebrows, or face for beard growth.

How Does Capilia Longa Work?

According to Vytus Biotech, Capilia Longa “produces an epigenetic reset of the hair bulb, re-starting the activity of dermal papilla cells.” The idea is that the ingredient causes changes in the gene expression of cells in the hair bulb.

Layperson’s translation? This change reactivates the dermal papilla cells (those near the hair follicle). Essentially, the process is thought to rejuvenate hair follicles and promote the growth of new hair.

Some Capilia Longa products are also said to contain growth factors like peptides, which may promote fuller hair and healthy hair growth. However — you guessed it — more research is needed there.

This is all very promising, but as of now, we just don’t have the research or long-term data to support these claims.

If you’re familiar with Rogaine®, you’re familiar with minoxidil, the former’s active ingredient. In 1988, minoxidil became the first drug FDA-approved to treat hair loss.

Even today, only two medications are approved by the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) for addressing male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia): topical minoxidil and oral finasteride.

How Does Minoxidil Work?

Minoxidil helps reduce hair fall and stimulates new hair growth. Researchers still don’t know exactly how it works, but we know some key things.

Minoxidil shortens the resting (telogen) phase of the hair growth cycle and makes hairs transition into the growth (anagen) phase.

Additionally, as a vasodilator, it widens blood vessels, promoting blood circulation and enhancing blood flow and oxygen delivery to the scalp. Studies show that minoxidil can increase the thickness and length of hair strands by enlarging hair follicles.

Topical vs. Oral Minoxidil

Topical minoxidil is an over-the-counter medication — you can get it online and at most drugstores without a prescription (and, ya know, through Hims). It’s typically used two times a day in the morning and again at night.

Oral minoxidil is FDA-approved for treating hypotension (high blood pressure). The drug was specifically created for this purpose, but users started noticing an unintended side effect — hair growth.

We offer minoxidil online as a topical solution in two formulations: minoxidil foam and liquid minoxidil solution. Both products are 5% strength, which research shows is the sweet spot for hair and (weirdly) even more effective than 10%.

Oral minoxidil is sometimes prescribed off-label for people who experience side effects at the application site with topical minoxidil. The tablets can also be a good option for guys who find it difficult to stay consistent with a topical product (some folks just prefer to take a pill).

Following a consultation with a licensed healthcare professional at Hims, oral minoxidil may be available to you. Our oral minoxidil chewables combine minoxidil with other ingredients (biotin, vitamin B5, B6, and antioxidants like vitamin C) that help promote hair health.

With minoxidil, you can expect to see results in hair retention and new growth after three to six months of regular use.

For more help choosing a formula, check out our guide to minoxidil foam versus liquid solution.

It’s hard to say how well Capilia Longa works because we just don’t have the data.

That said, a 2023 study looked at a hair growth serum containing several ingredients said to combat hair loss, including Capilia Longa. It found that the formula “significantly improved hair growth, hair density, hair thickness, and hair strength within 60 days of usage.”

But since the product also contained Redensyl, AnaGain, Procapil, and 5 kDa hyaluronic acid it’s impossible to say which ingredient was really doing the legwork.

In lieu of concrete studies, you may want to read reviews of Capilia Longa products or look to forums like Reddit for first-person insight into the ingredient’s effectiveness.

The side effects of Capilia Longa are — drum roll — also not well-studied.

But here’s what we know about potential Capilia Longa side effects:

• Allergic reactions. Curcumin is what makes turmeric orange, and the chemical compound is present in Capilia Longa. The benefits of curcumin are well-documented, but research shows it can cause a contact allergy in rare cases. If you haven’t applied turmeric topically before, maybe do a patch test before applying a Capilia Longa product to your scalp or face.

• Skin irritation. As with most topical products, it’s possible you’ll feel tingling or experience mild irritation at the application site.

When it comes to minoxidil, there’s plenty of research backing its efficacy (so you don’t have to rely on recommendations from your cousin’s friend’s uncle or an avatar on a forum).

Simply, yes — minoxidil works.

Minoxidil is proven to:

• Slow hair loss

• Reactivate dormant hair follicles so they produce hair

• Extend the growth phase of the hair growth cycle

• Increase hair density

• Stimulate new hair growth, in some cases

It’s best to use minoxidil for a minimum of 12 months to see how well the treatment works for you. If you’re not seeing results, it could be due to “low compliance” (i.e., not using the product consistently enough for it to work).

Most medications have at least some side effects. The good news is that minoxidil tends to be well-tolerated, meaning most people don’t experience side effects and the side effects that do show up are generally mild.

Potential side effects of topical minoxidil include:

• Skin or scalp irritation

• Scalp itchiness (also known as pruritus)

• A slight burning sensation

• Rash

• Redness at the application site (erythema)

• Headache

• Unwanted hair growth on the face (hypertrichosis)

Potential side effects of oral minoxidil may include:

• Hypertrichosis (excessive or abnormal hair growth)

• Postural hypotension (dizziness when going from sitting to standing as a result of blood pressure changes)

• Rapid heartbeat or elevated heart rate

• Low blood pressure (hypotension)

• Dizziness

• Headache

• Nausea

Not everyone who uses minoxidil will experience side effects, and for those who do, they may subside over time.

One way Capilia Longa and minoxidil are quite similar is how they’re applied. Here’s how to apply both Capilia Longa and minoxidil (because the process is nearly identical):

• Apply topically to clean, dry hair twice a day in areas where you see hair loss or thinning.

• Apply one to two drops of Capilia Longa or 1 milliliter (mL) of minoxidil solution, which is clearly marked on the dropper. Usually, half a capful of minoxidil foam is the right amount.

• Use your fingers to gently massage the product into your scalp.

• Do not rinse.

Typically, Capilia Longa is packaged in a tincture bottle (like minoxidil solution).

It can be easy to think a natural option is safer or better, but that’s not always the case. Both minoxidil and Capilia Longa have their benefits. But unlike topical minoxidil, there are no large, high-quality studies on Capilia Longa for hair regrowth.

If you’re the kind of person who tries a natural option before a medication, Capilia Longa may be worth a shot — as long as you’re clear that we really don’t know too much about how well it works. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a proven, FDA-approved medication, minoxidil is a better option.

Remember, it’s easier to keep the hair you have than to grow new hair once it’s lost. So you probably don’t want to spend too much time (or money) on something that’s not yielding results.

Here’s some potentially good news: If they both sound good to you, you may not have to choose between Capilia Longa and minoxidil. Since the two have different ingredients, you can probably use minoxidil and Capilia Longa together. But check with your dermatologist or healthcare provider first just to be safe.

With consistent, daily use of topical or oral minoxidil, you can expect to see results within three to six months. And the most noticeable hair changes will show up after about a year. So it’s a commitment, but it works if you stick to it.

As for Capilia Longa, it might take anywhere from two to five months (or longer) before you start seeing results. But again, we don’t have enough clinical data to draw from.

Whether you’re experiencing male pattern baldness or are just curious about options for keeping your hairline thick, it’s worth exploring hair loss treatments.

Here are the key things to remember when deciding between Capilia Longa or minoxidil hair regrowth treatments:

• Capilia Longa is a natural hair growth ingredient derived from turmeric, with limited research supporting its effectiveness. It’s said to help with follicle regeneration.

• Minoxidil is an FDA-approved medication with substantial evidence for reducing hair loss and promoting new hair growth.

• Both are applied topically twice a day and have minimal side effects that are usually mild and limited to skin irritation or contact allergy.

Interested in hair loss medication for thinning hair or nourishing haircare products that promote thicker hair and scalp health? Do a quick online hair loss consultation with one of our providers. They can assess what hair loss treatment will work best for you.