Minoxidil vs. Rogaine: What's The Difference for Hair Growth?

Growing up, you may have longed for the new cool Nikes, but instead, your parents got you the knockoffs that were on sale. The truth is, both sneakers were likely comfortable and got the job done, and we doubt that either actually helped your jump shot.

You’re older (and hopefully wiser) now. And you likely know that the generic stuff is almost always as good as the brand name — no matter what 12-year-old you believed. If male pattern baldness or hair thinning is something you’re currently dealing with, researching hair loss treatments can feel overwhelming. Don’t worry, we’re here to help.

In this article, we’ll discuss the efficacy of generic minoxidil (also commonly sold under the brand name Rogaine®) and other popular hair loss treatments for men.

Ready to bookmark another excellent guide? Save this guide on Rogaine ingredients for an even more in-depth understanding of this favored hair loss treatment.

If you’re seeing a receding hairline, some diffuse thinning over the top of the head or a wider part, chances are you’re dealing with male pattern hair loss (also known as androgenetic alopecia), the most common form of hair loss in men.

But many types of hair loss can occur, from the stress-related hair loss known as telogen effluvium to traction alopecia, which can be caused by tight hairstyles.

Whether it’s used in its FDA-approved form for androgenetic alopecia or off-label for other causes of hair thinning (like hair loss caused by stress or overly tight hairstyles), minoxidil is a gold standard among dermatologists for treating hair loss.

It was initially developed as an antihypertensive drug. Increased hair growth was basically a happy accident, which led to the hair growth formulations you see today. While its mechanism of action isn’t totally understood, we know some things.

Topical minoxidil works as a hair growth stimulator — think of it like fertilizer for your roots. This medication shortens the telogen (resting) phase, which causes dormant hair follicles to enter into the anagen, or growth phase, earlier than they otherwise would. It also makes the anagen phase last longer, giving hair more time to grow. This allows for increased hair length and diameter.

Adding to its effects is minoxidil’s function as a vasodilator and its ability to open up the potassium channels of hair follicles. It is believed that by widening the blood vessels and opening up the potassium channels, minoxidil allows more nutrients, blood, and oxygen to flow into the hair follicle.

This stimulates circulation near the hair follicles, possibly leading to hair growth. It may also prevent an androgen (male hormone) known as DHT from affecting your already androgen-sensitive follicles. As a foaming agent or topical solution, minoxidil can also directly stimulate hair follicles and delay their aging.

We’ve been using the term “minoxidil” here, but now you may be wondering who reigns supreme — Rogaine® or minoxidil? Or is Rogaine® minoxidil in a different form?

Rogaine®, well-known for treating hair loss, is a brand-name drug containing minoxidil as the active ingredient. However, minoxidil is also sold in generic forms by various brands, including Hims. So, whether you go brand-name or generic, both contain the same active ingredient.

That said, minoxidil is available in different strengths, so that may be where you see a difference in how your hair responds.

In one 48-week randomized study, 393 men used either a 2% minoxidil solution or a 5% minoxidil solution to treat androgenetic alopecia. The study concluded that the 5% solution was superior and led to a higher hair count than the 2% solution, but it also led to more instances of certain side effects — namely, pruritus (scalp itchiness) and local irritation.

In another study to test how effective minoxidil is for treating hair loss along the hairline (the frontotemporal region) and around the highest point of the scalp toward the back of the head (the vertex), 70 men were given 5% minoxidil or a placebo treatment.

Twenty-four weeks after using either product twice daily, the patients who used 5% minoxidil formulations had a significant increase in hair density and width.

You can learn more about which formula might be right for you in our guide to Minoxidil Foam vs. Liquid.

Alright, alright — we think we’ve made the point that minoxidil is basically the Leonardo DiCaprio of hair loss treatments — versatile, easygoing, and super popular.

That said, there are some great supporting actors to consider for thinning hair, especially finasteride, which stops hair loss in a different way than minoxidil.

If you’re dealing with androgenetic hair loss or male pattern balding, blame it on hormones — this type of hair loss happens when testosterone is converted to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), causing androgen-dependent miniaturization of scalp hair follicles.

Translation: your follicles shrink and produce thinner hairs over time.

That’s where finasteride comes in — it inhibits type II 5alpha-reductase, which is what converts testosterone to DHT. In one study, men with male pattern hair loss who took finasteride at a dosage of 1mg daily had an improvement in hair growth and increased hair count in clinical trials over two years.

Deciding between finasteride and minoxidil is really a personal choice, and your dermatologist or healthcare professional can help you determine what’s right for you. For even more intel on these popular hair loss treatments, check out our guide to minoxidil vs finasteride.

An interesting thing to note, however, is that finasteride and minoxidil can be used together, as confirmed by many studies. One such study of 450 Chinese men with male androgenetic alopecia tested finasteride, minoxidil, and the combined medication of finasteride and minoxidil.

The study reported that the combined medication had the best end results for patients.

If you’re still unsure, check out our guide on other alternatives to minoxidil to find your hair loss treatment soulmate.

Remember, minoxidil and Rogaine have the same active ingredient, so they’ll have the same side effects.

While long-term studies have shown minoxidil to be safe and well-tolerated, some side effects of minoxidil and Rogaine can include:

• Irritant contact dermatitis

• Itching

• Scaling

• Initial shedding

These side effects may occur either because of an allergic reaction to the inactive agent — propylene glycol — or to the minoxidil itself. This condition has been observed most frequently with the 5% minoxidil topical solution.

Also, when you first start using minoxidil, you may experience some hair shedding. But hold tight — it does get better. Minoxidil shortens the telogen phase, which may induce telogen effluvium when first using it. This shedding will stop, and new (and hopefully more!) hair will grow in its place.

Get the full scoop in our guide to minoxidil side effects if you want to dig a little deeper.

Here’s the thing — when it comes to hair loss, you can do nothing and hope it grows back (unlikely, tbh), or you can try a hair loss treatment that has the research to back it up and see if that lush head of hair can be restored to its former glory.

Doesn’t that second one sound better?

Remember that minoxidil and Rogaine® have the same active ingredient, so you’ll likely get the same great results whether you go brand name or generic. Some options you may want to consider:

• Topical finasteride & minoxidil spray. As mentioned above, combining these two ingredients basically makes a supercharged two-in-one spray to encourage new hair.

• Minoxidil foam. This 5% strength foam can be easily distributed onto the scalp. And remember, all the studies show that 5% formulation is where you’ll see the biggest difference.

• Minoxidil solution. If you have a sensitive scalp, this 2% strength formula with an easy-to-use dropper might be the right fit for hair regrowth. It’ll likely cause less irritation.

• Volumizing shampoo and conditioner. Regardless of which hair loss treatment you try, the right hair care can make a difference, too. Keeping your scalp clean and healthy is the foundation for healthy hair. A volumizing shampoo and conditioner will give limp strands some height and body.

If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed, no sweat. An easy (and free) hair consultation will give you an expert-backed recommendation quickly.