Minoxidil 5% is a treatment that both men widely use to treat hair loss. The topical treatment is used to treat hair problems such as hair loss, baldness, stunted hair growth, etc. The product consistently helps people get strong, long, and thick hair in a very short time, so most men swear by its benefits. Dermatologists and hair experts also recommend using minoxidil 5% for patients who experience excessive hair fall and no hair regrowth in the areas. This topical treatment has provided beneficial results to most men who used to experience hair problems.
Minoxidil is commonly available in strengths like 2%, 5%, and 10%. Most doctors approve Minoxidil 5% and 2% as the strongest doses to cure hair problems such as hair loss and thinning. Minoxidil 10% also helps to promote hair growth, but minoxidil 5% is most commonly accepted by both men.
Minoxidil is used to treat male pattern baldness. It also helps to address many hair problems in men.
Difference Between Minoxidil 5% and 10%
Minoxidil is highly used in the treatment of male pattern baldness. This is why the chemical is highly valued for treating hair issues. Here are a few differences between minoxidil 5% and minoxidil 10% that everyone should know if they are looking to opt for the topical treatment to promote hair growth on their scalp:
1. Effectiveness
As per various studies and research conducted by different laboratories on minoxidil, the minoxidil 10% showed lesser effectiveness than the minoxidil 5%. According to the studies, minoxidil 5% solution promoted better and more hair growth in the vertex region compared to the 10% solution. In the frontal area, the difference between the two strengths was minor.
However, the 5% solution still helped to grow more hair compared to the minoxidil 10% treatment. This is why doctors recommend minoxidil 5% to men who want to experience hair growth rapidly. Studies on the effectiveness of minoxidil 10% are still going on.
2. Hair Strength
When the hair strength of the new hair was compared in studies, it showed that the hair growth after using minoxidil 5% was stronger and thicker compared to minoxidil 10%. Some men want to use minoxidil so they can grow thick and strong hair back in the areas that are experiencing thinning.
The ones who are confused as to which solution is better for strong and thick hair should consider minoxidil 5% after taking advice from a doctor. This topical treatment will help men to achieve the results they want to experience.
3. Side Effects
Minoxidil has certain common side effects that most men experience when they start using the product. Nobody should opt for this hair growth solution without consulting a doctor as they might experience adverse side effects. The research and studies conducted to prove which is better, minoxidil 5% or 10%, showed that the solution with a higher percentage had stronger side effects. Even though the effectiveness of minoxidil 10% was low, the side effects were quite harsh.
For men who used minoxidil, 5% did not experience any side effects or suffered mild uneasiness at the beginning of the treatment. The ones who applied minoxidil 10% experienced dizziness, nausea, vomiting, unwanted hair growth outside the scalp, headache, temporary hair shredding, etc. So, doctors recommend using minoxidil 5% as it has fewer side effects.
After knowing the difference between the two, one can make a better decision as to which one to apply. However, we would always recommend seeing a doctor who can guide men better. Since these are chemicals, you must have sufficient knowledge of how to use them.
How safe is Minoxidil 5%, 10% and 2%?
It is important to note that minoxidil 5% and 2% are the only doses that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved for hair growth. The experts need to do more research on minoxidil 10% to understand the benefits and side effects clearly. This is the reason why the FDA has not approved it for common usage as of yet. You can buy minoxidil 5% from any store without a prescription but the 10% solution is not available for all.
Even though minoxidil 5% and 2% are widely available in the market and approved by the FDA, these medicines have their own pros and cons. A person can start using them only after being certain they will not cause harmful or adverse side effects on their health. This is an effective solution for rapid hair growth, but sometimes, if it is not used correctly, minoxidil can also cause extra hair loss, so everyone should be careful.
While we understand that minoxidil 5% is more beneficial and effective compared to 10% in promoting hair growth, one should note that studies on the latter solution are still going on. Researchers have studied minoxidil 5% thoroughly, so the side effects and benefits are known in detail. Minoxidil 10% is not considered safe yet, and it does not have any drastic effect on hair growth. It is always safe to use minoxidil 5% over the 10% solution; however, consulting a doctor is the first thing a person should do before using the product for hair growth.