Minoxidil is not a new medicine, in fact it was the first medication approved by the US FDA to treat hair loss in 1996. After decades of use, topical minoxidil has proven to be a safe and effective treatment for hair loss. There are different strengths and preparations available – the 5% is proven to be most effective. Minoxidil is the active ingredient in Regaine and many different brands are available.
Side effects are rare and most commonly include shedding of smaller miniaturised hairs over the first few months of usage (a sign the Minoxidil is working – this settles down over a few months of continuous usage), and scalp irritation.
Scalp irritation is commonly linked to Minoxidil preparations containing Propylene Glycol (PG). Some patients can also complain of itchy flaky scalp which may be unrelated and there are other more likely causes of these symptoms (such as contact dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, or an exacerbation of seborrheic dermatitis) and may not be directly caused by minoxidil. Additionally, there is a clinical benefit as propylene-glycol-free minoxidil has been shown to have improved permeability over Minoxidil containing propylene glycol.
Sons' Minoxidil does not contain Propylene Glycol and so should cause less scalp irritation than many other preparations. With our convenient actuator, the Minoxidil reaches the scalp more directly and easier than other preparations such as the 5% foam.
There are a number of Minoxidil strengths available, which range from 2% to 15%, but only 2 % and 5 % solutions are FDA-approved for the treatment of hair loss. Studies have proved that 5% is more effective than 2%. However, studies comparing 5% to 10% and 15% are inconsistent. Based on this clinical evidence, we recommend 5% Minoxidil as the most effective strength approved by the FDA. This is also the preferred clinical choice by hair loss specialists around the globe and is proven to give the best benefit without negative side effects.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12196747/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31403367/
So, why chose Sons Minoxidil; it causes less scalp irritation, it’s easier to apply and is more easily absorbed than many other preparations.
If you need further evidence, here’s some studies backing up from this blog.
Source: Contemporary Clinic
(https://contemporaryclinic.pharmacytimes.com/acute-care/and-the-allergen-winner-is-propylene-glycol)
Source: The Dermatologist
(https://www.the-dermatologist.com/content/focus-propylene-glycol)
Source: Taylor & Francis Online
(https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.3109/03639045.2014.900078?journalCode=iddi20)
Scheman AJ, West DP, Hordinksy MK, Osburn AH, West LE. Alternative formulation for patients with contact reactions to topical 2% and 5% minoxidil vehicle ingredients. Contact Dermatitis. 2000;42(4):241.