Regaine

Regaine: how does it work?

Regaine is clinically proven to provide an effective treatment for male pattern baldness.

The causes of baldness will play a large part in whether Regaine is effective. It’s specifically designed to treat male pattern baldness which starts at the top of the scalp, although it can have an effect on some other types of hair loss.

We can help you decide whether Regaine will be effective for you, or if another treatment might be better. Tell us about your health to get expert recommendations from our clinician.

How long does it take Regaine to work?

Some men may find that Regaine takes three months to become effective, but everyone is different. If you haven’t noticed any change within four months you should have a chat with our clinician about other options.

It’s recommended that you take Regaine for at least two months before deciding if the treatment is working, as it will likely take at least this amount of time before you see its effects.

Does Regaine work for complete baldness?

If you’ve been bald for a long period of time or the area of your scalp in question is large and bare, you’re unlikely to get much benefit from using Regaine.

Regaine cannot completely reverse baldness, but it can greatly help men with mild to moderate symptoms that haven’t been present for a number of years.

What doses and types of Regaine are there?

Regaine for men comes in two forms: foam (Regaine for Men Extra Strength Foam) and solution (Regaine for Men Extra Strength Scalp Solution). Both contain 5% of minoxidil, so they’re the same dose. But the way you apply them is slightly different – the foam is sprayed into your hands and lightly massaged into the scalp, while the solution is directly applied to the scalp and spread over the affected area using your fingers.

There is a lower dose of minoxidil scalp solution (2%) available but this is used for female pattern hair loss. 

What should I do before I start Regaine?

You should clean your hands before and after using Regaine, as well as any areas of the body that came into contact with it. Make sure your scalp is completely dry before you apply it, so the foam can be absorbed fully.

The foam is designed to melt into the skin quickly. This happens faster when the skin is warm, so it’s best to make sure your hands are cool to the touch before handling Regaine. If your hands need cooling, rinse them under a cold tap and dry thoroughly before use.

How to take Regaine Extra Strength Foam for Men

Press the nozzle of the can while holding it upside down so its contents can be dispensed onto the fingertips.

You should use no more than 1g per dosage, which is the equivalent of half a cap. Then, gently massage the foam into the area of the scalp that’s affected.

Leave the foam on for at least 12 hours to get the full benefits of the treatment. You shouldn’t exceed more than 2g per day, which means no more than using it twice a day or every 12 hours.

How to take Regaine Extra Strength Scalp Solution

The recommended dose is two 1ml applications per day.

You’ll get a choice of two applicators with your treatment: a pump-spray applicator, or an extended spray-tip applicator.

It’s better to use the pump-spray if you’re covering a large area of scalp.

With this method:

• Unscrew the cap
• Apply single pumped dose to the affected area of scalp 
• Spread the solution with your fingertips over the affected area
• Repeat the above another 5 times
• This counts as one 1ml dose
• Wash your hands

If you only need to cover a smaller area, use the extended spray-tip applicator:

• Remove the cap
• Take off the spray head on the pump-spray applicator
• Replace with the extended spray-tip applicator and push down firmly
• Remove the cap from the extended spray-tip applicator
• Aim the tip at the affected area of scalp and apply a single pump
• Spread the solution over the affected area
• Repeat the above another 5 times
• This countries as a single 1ml dose
• Replace the tip applicator witf the cap and wash your hands

More detailed instructions can be found in the leaflet provided.

What should I do if I forget to use it?

If you forget to take a dose of Regaine just carry on taking it as you normally would. While it’s ideal if you can remember to take it perfectly, a missed application here and there won’t make much of a difference. You shouldn’t take two doses of Regaine to make up for a missed dose.

Medically reviewed by

Dr Daniel Atkinson

GP Clinical Lead

on August 02, 2022.

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