Does Minoxidil Shampoo Work for Hair Loss?

Key Takeaways:

• Minoxidil shampoo may offer some benefits, but it’s not as effective as leave-on minoxidil because it’s rinsed off too quickly to fully absorb.

• Minoxidil needs several hours of scalp contact to work well, making topical minoxidil solutions more effective for hair regrowth.

• If you use minoxidil shampoo, let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing for best results.

• Talk to a healthcare provider to make sure you’re not exceeding the recommended dosage with minoxidil shampoo or other products.
  

If you’re looking for easy ways to treat hair loss or a receding hairline, you’ve probably come across everything from supplements to serums or products like minoxidil shampoo.

Shampoo is already part of your hair care routine, so minoxidil shampoo may seem like an easy way to incorporate a hair loss medication without adding a whole other step to your busy life.

But does minoxidil shampoo work?

We’ll discuss whether minoxidil shampoo works as a hair regrowth treatment for male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia), how to use it, and alternative hair loss treatments to explore.

Before we cover what you can expect from minoxidil shampoo, let’s go over a little minoxidil 101.

Topical minoxidil is one of two treatments with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval specifically for treating male pattern baldness (the other is a medication called finasteride). Minoxidil is the active ingredient in brand-name Rogaine^®.

Minoxidil is a vasodilator that brings blood flow to the scalp and hair follicles. It also extends the active growth (anagen) stage of the hair growth cycle.

Minoxidil is suitable for all hair types as long as you’re noticing hair loss while using it. The medication can slow the progression of thinning hair and, in some cases, help regrow hair.

So, what’s minoxidil shampoo? As you probably guessed, it’s shampoo made with minoxidil.

Minoxidil is typically found in topical products, like liquid solutions or foams, applied directly to the scalp. But some formulations incorporate the active ingredient into shampoos.

The idea behind minoxidil shampoo is to provide the hair and scalp with the benefits of minoxidil while also cleansing the hair.

The words “minoxidil“ and “shampoo“ are a bit at odds with each other in terms of how each type of product is supposed to function.

Here’s the thing: Shampoo is designed to be rinsed off. Meanwhile, studies show that minoxidil needs to stay in contact with the scalp for at least 4 hours for most of it to absorb. And it needs to absorb to be effective.

If you look at the directions on most minoxidil foams or solutions, you’ll see that you’re supposed to apply it to a clean, dry scalp (when your hair is totally dry). Then, you’re supposed to let the product dry for 2 to 4 hours before lying down, wearing a hat, or applying any other hair products. And, crucially, you don’t rinse it off.

Research on Minoxidil Shampoo

One study suggests that leaving a 1% minoxidil shampoo formula on the scalp for 3 to 5 minutes may modestly increase hair count. But in this clinical trial, the increase in hair count was statistically insignificant compared to the placebo group.

Still, if you’re planning to try minoxidil shampoo, make sure to let it sit for at least a few minutes.

Another small (and older) study on 22 men looked at the link between the contact time of minoxidil on the scalp and how much of the medication was absorbed (it needs to be absorbed to work). After 1 hour, half the solution was absorbed into the scalp, and by the fourth hour, 75 percent of it had been absorbed.

Minoxidil shampoo may have some promise as a complementary product to minoxidil solutions or foams rather than a standalone hair loss treatment.

But before adding a medicated shampoo to your routine, talk to a healthcare provider. You want to make sure you’re not exceeding the recommended dose of minoxidil.

For instance, our 5 percent minoxidil solution dosage is 1 milliliter (mL) twice daily, applied to the scalp. For the foam, it’s half a capful twice a day.

Using minoxidil shampoo is basically the same as using any shampoo, except you’ll want to let it sit longer before rinsing.

Here’s how to get the best results from minoxidil shampoo:

• Thoroughly wet your hair.

• Squeeze about a dime-sized amount of shampoo into your hands.

• Massage the shampoo into your scalp for about 2 minutes. This will help the product reach your hair follicles.

• Leave the suds on your hair and scalp for at least 4 minutes.

• Rinse thoroughly.

• If using conditioner, apply it only to the ends of your hair.

→ Related: Should Men Use Conditioner? (Spoiler: Yes, and Here’s Why)

Whether you’re looking for a hair growth shampoo specifically or are open to other hair loss treatments, you’ve got options.

Here are other hair regrowth treatments for men to consider.

Topical Minoxidil

Topical minoxidil is one of two FDA-approved drugs for treating male pattern baldness. Unlike minoxidil shampoo, these topical treatments aren’t meant to be rinsed off.

We offer an aerosol minoxidil foam and a minoxidil topical solution. In terms of effectiveness, the two are nearly identical products in different formulations. 

However, minoxidil foam doesn’t contain propylene glycol, an alcohol. Although rare, some people may experience redness or irritation where they apply the liquid solution, possibly due to propylene glycol.

Finasteride

Finasteride is a dihydrotestosterone (DHT) blocker FDA-approved for treating male pattern baldness. DHT is a hormone partially responsible for male pattern baldness.

Research shows this oral medication can help increase hair count within 12 months of daily use.

DHT-Blocking Shampoos

Like finasteride, certain ingredients and medications partially block the effects of DHT on hair follicles. Saw palmetto is a natural ingredient that can have this effect.

Our thickening shampoo contains saw palmetto. It’s a good place to start if you’re curious about shampoos for thinning hair.

Minoxidil and Finasteride Together

Minoxidil and finasteride can be used together, and they may be more effective when combined.

A 2019 meta-analysis showed that oral finasteride and topical minoxidil together offer “better therapeutic efficacy and similar safety“ compared to either treatment alone.

If you’re considering using both, we offer a couple of options:

• Topical spray. Our popular finasteride & minoxidil spray combines both ingredients in an easy-to-apply formula.

• Chewable supplements. For those who prefer a daily supplement or find it difficult to stick to topical treatment, our chewable tablets combine minoxidil and finasteride with additional hair-supporting nutrients like biotin, vitamin B5, and B6.

Oral Minoxidil

Oral minoxidil can be prescribed off-label for treating hair loss. Off-label means a medication is prescribed for something it’s not specifically FDA-approved for.

It’s a good option for those who experience scalp irritation from topical minoxidil or prefer to take a daily pill rather than apply a topical treatment twice a day.

→ Learn more: Oral vs. Topical Minoxidil for Hair Loss

If you’ve been looking for a hair loss shampoo, you may be curious about minoxidil shampoo. Here’s the TL;DR:

• Minoxidil shampoo may offer some benefits as a supplemental product. But it’s not as effective as topical solutions since it’s rinsed off and doesn’t stay on the scalp long enough for full absorption.

• If you use minoxidil shampoo for managing pattern hair loss, it’s essential to follow a healthcare provider’s recommendations to avoid exceeding the recommended dosage.

• While minoxidil shampoo can be part of a hair care routine, it’s best used alongside proven treatments like topical minoxidil or oral finasteride, ideally under the guidance of a healthcare professional, like a dermatologist.

• If you’re dealing with flakes, dandruff shampoo might be a better option for maintaining a healthy scalp that allows for new hair growth.

Hims doesn’t sell minoxidil shampoo, but we do provide access to many other hair loss treatments containing minoxidil, along with other research-backed products.

Get answers to frequently asked questions about the effect of minoxidil shampoo.

Will minoxidil shampoo help with a receding hairline?

Minoxidil shampoo alone likely isn’t strong enough to help a receding hairline in any noticeable way. Minoxidil may help slow hair loss at the hairline, but leave-on treatments are more effective than shampoo because they stay on the scalp longer. Many people see better results when using topical minoxidil or combining treatments like minoxidil and finasteride under the guidance of a healthcare provider.

Can I use minoxidil shampoo and topical minoxidil at the same time?

You can use minoxidil shampoo and topical minoxidil at the same time, but it’s important not to exceed the recommended daily amount of minoxidil. Using shampoo plus a leave-on product may increase scalp exposure, so check with a healthcare provider before combining them. Your provider can help you decide on a routine that’s safe and effective for your hair goals.

Can both men and women use minoxidil shampoo?

Yes, both men and women can use minoxidil shampoo. Typically, the strength of minoxidil varies depending on who it’s intended for. For example, Hers minoxidil solution for women is 2 percent, whereas Hims for men is 5 percent.

→ Read next: Minoxidil Before and After: Real Results from Hims Customers

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Learn more about our editorial standards.